BACKGROUND: Mirror movements are symmetric, identical, contralateral involuntary movements that accompany vol-untary movements on one side of the body. The aim of this study is to examine the patterns of brain activation during motor and sensory tasks using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and to compare them between normal subjects and a patient with congenital mirror movements. METHODS: A 19 year-old patient with congenital mirror movements and seven normal volunteers (mean age: 29 years old), performed finger-tapping and tactile stimulation tasks with the right, left, and both hands, while gradient echo EPI (echo planar imaging) images were acquired in a 1.5T scanner. RESULTS: During the motor and sensory tasks, the patient showed a bilateral activation of the primary motor and sensory cortices, whereas normal subjects showed only unilateral activations. Activations related to the motor task was observed in the primary sensory cortex, the supplementary motor area, and the cerebellum as well as the primary motor cortex in the case of the patient, while only the primary motor cortex was significantly activated in normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the abnormality underlying congenital mirror movements involves not only the primary motor cortices and interhemispheric connections between them, but also the more extended motor-sensory circuitry including the primary sensory cortex, supplementary motor area, and cerebellum.
Brain ; Cerebellum ; Dyskinesias ; Hand ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Motor Cortex ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Mirror movements are symmetric, identical, contralateral involuntary movements that accompany vol-untary movements on one side of the body. The aim of this study is to examine the patterns of brain activation during motor and sensory tasks using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and to compare them between normal subjects and a patient with congenital mirror movements. METHODS: A 19 year-old patient with congenital mirror movements and seven normal volunteers (mean age: 29 years old), performed finger-tapping and tactile stimulation tasks with the right, left, and both hands, while gradient echo EPI (echo planar imaging) images were acquired in a 1.5T scanner. RESULTS: During the motor and sensory tasks, the patient showed a bilateral activation of the primary motor and sensory cortices, whereas normal subjects showed only unilateral activations. Activations related to the motor task was observed in the primary sensory cortex, the supplementary motor area, and the cerebellum as well as the primary motor cortex in the case of the patient, while only the primary motor cortex was significantly activated in normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the abnormality underlying congenital mirror movements involves not only the primary motor cortices and interhemispheric connections between them, but also the more extended motor-sensory circuitry including the primary sensory cortex, supplementary motor area, and cerebellum.
Brain ; Cerebellum ; Dyskinesias ; Hand ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Motor Cortex ; Young Adult

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) cause neurologic dysfunction by blocking the voltage-gated sodium channels located in all of the peripheral nerves and muscles. We experienced two patients presenting with generalized motor weakness after ingestion of pufferfish. The nerve conduction study showed diffuse slowing of motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity, prolonged motor terminal latency and decreased sensory nerve action potentials without temporal dispersion or conduction block. Abnormal findings of nerve conduction study improved rapidly without any deterioration. Clinical symptoms and signs ameliorated in accordance with findings of nerve conduction study without any neurologic sequelae. These imply that tetrodotoxication is reversible and functional neurologic disorder. We suggest that nerve conduction studies can be available in serial monitoring of tetrodotoxication as an objective means.
Action Potentials ; Eating ; Humans ; Muscles ; Nervous System Diseases ; Neural Conduction ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Peripheral Nerves* ; Tetraodontiformes ; Tetrodotoxin ; Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels

Retroperitoneal liposarcoma comprises 12 to 45 percent of all liposarcoma. It has been a therapeutic dilemma and a less prognosis because of its tendency to attain a tremendous size due to early silent growth and difficult wide en bloc excision in the retroperitoneum. Here in we report a case of retroperitoneal liposarcoma in 51 year old male patient with a brief review of the literatures.
Humans ; Liposarcoma* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis

Metaphyseal cysts are common findings in Legg-Calv Perthes(LCP) disease, though usually disappear within 6-12 months. Several studies have described the MR imaging findings of these cysts, though serial MRI findings have not been documented. In this report, therefore, we report the serial MRI results of metaphyseal cyst in LCP patients.
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Myofascial trigger point(TP) is characterized as an impaired energy metabolism. We hypothesized that the use of dextrose as an energy supplement for TP injection would be more effective than saline or lidocaine. Sixty four typical myofascial pain patients were treated with TP injections. Among them 23 were injected with 5% dextrose water(D/W Group), 20 with normal saline (N/S Group), and 21 with 0.5% lidocaine (Lidocaine Group). Visual analogue scale(VAS) and pressure threshold algometer(kg/cm2) were used as measuring tools before, immediately after, and 7 days after the injection therapies. Mean VAS scores were 6.78 before, 5.19 immediately after, and 3.39 seven days after the injections, and the treatment effects were greater after the second and third injections. Mean differences of pressure threshold were 0.37 before and immediately after injections, and 0.42 before and 7 days after injections. Significant elevation of threshold was noted after the second and third injections. Mean VAS were not significantly different in three groups before and immediately after injections. But after 7 days, only D/W Group showed significantly lower score of 2.39, compared to 3.85 in N/S Group and 4.05 in Lidocaine Group(P<0.01). Mean pressure threshold before and immediately after injections was not different in each group. After seven days D/W Group also showed significantly higher value of 2.49, compared to 1.91 in N/S Group and 2.07 in Lidocaine Group(P<0.05). We have concluded that 5% dextrose water would be the preferable choice for TP injection.
Energy Metabolism ; Glucose* ; Humans ; Lidocaine* ; Trigger Points* ; Water*

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood psychiatric disorder. Recently, it has been suggested that brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) may play a role in the pathogenesis of ADHD. Our aim of this review is to understand the physiological functions of BDNF and its potential relationship with ADHD and therapeutic approaches of ADHD. Searches were conducted in Pubmed and Research Information Service System (RISS). In this review, we summarized important literatures for the physiological functions of BDNF in neurodevelopment, change of serum BDNF level in ADHD, association of BDNF polymorphism and ADHD and potential association of treatment of ADHD with serum BDNF level. Further studies are required to more clearly understand the source and the role of BDNF in ADHD and to develop BDNF based-ADHD treatement.
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Information Services

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of topically applied capsaicin cream for the treatment of chronic low back and posterior neck pain. Fourty-one patients with chronic low back or posterior neck pain of more than 6 months despite comprehensive management in our rehabilitation department were selected for this study. Of these subjects, a group of 21 patients used capsaicin cream, and the other 21 patients used NSAID gel as a control group. Pain intensities in both groups were measured with the visual analogue scale(VAS) before the treatment, 2 weeks and 5 weeks after the treatment. McGill Pain Questionnaire(MPQ) was used before and 5 weeks after the treatment. According to followed-up VAS, MPQ-number of words chosen, and MPQ-pain rating index, there was an evidence of effective pain relief by capsaicin cream for the low back and posterior neck pain 5 weeks after the treatment. We conclude that continuous use of capsaicin cream for 5 weeks can be beneficial for the chronic pain patients in relieving pain and subsequently helping their rehabilitation process.
Capsaicin* ; Chronic Pain ; Humans ; Neck Pain* ; Rehabilitation

Purpose: In Korea, the absence of a modified physical activity (PA) questionnaire specifically tailored for Koreans hinders the accurate assessment of PA among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). This study aimed to evaluate PA levels in individuals with SCI using a modified PA questionnaire and to provide insights into their PA patterns in Korea. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was developed by revising and adapting the Korean version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (K-IPAQ) during an advisory meeting. Between April and June 2023, 176 individuals with SCI from metropolitan areas in Korea were recruited to assess their weekly PA. PA was quantified in Metabolic Equivalent Task-min/week (MET-min/week) by multiplying the reported PA duration. Results: The average PA level among individuals with SCI in Korea was 2,907.2±194.8 MET-min/week. By intensity, high-intensity activities accounted for 2,760.0±280.5 MET-min/week, moderate-intensity activities for 1,148.8±89.0 MET-min/week, and low-intensity activities for 1,869.4±110.3 MET-min/week. Approximately half of the participants met the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for PA. Conclusion Although Korean individuals with SCI demonstrated higher average PA levels compared to findings from other countries and the WHO recommendations, only about half of the participants met the WHO’s guidelines. These results underscore the need to strengthen efforts to promote PA participation among individuals with SCI.

Purpose: In Korea, the absence of a modified physical activity (PA) questionnaire specifically tailored for Koreans hinders the accurate assessment of PA among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). This study aimed to evaluate PA levels in individuals with SCI using a modified PA questionnaire and to provide insights into their PA patterns in Korea. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was developed by revising and adapting the Korean version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (K-IPAQ) during an advisory meeting. Between April and June 2023, 176 individuals with SCI from metropolitan areas in Korea were recruited to assess their weekly PA. PA was quantified in Metabolic Equivalent Task-min/week (MET-min/week) by multiplying the reported PA duration. Results: The average PA level among individuals with SCI in Korea was 2,907.2±194.8 MET-min/week. By intensity, high-intensity activities accounted for 2,760.0±280.5 MET-min/week, moderate-intensity activities for 1,148.8±89.0 MET-min/week, and low-intensity activities for 1,869.4±110.3 MET-min/week. Approximately half of the participants met the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for PA. Conclusion Although Korean individuals with SCI demonstrated higher average PA levels compared to findings from other countries and the WHO recommendations, only about half of the participants met the WHO’s guidelines. These results underscore the need to strengthen efforts to promote PA participation among individuals with SCI.