1.Visual Perception in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of Neuroimaging Studies
Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 2020;31(3):105-120
Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social impairments, patients with ASD frequently manifest atypical sensory behaviors. Recently, atypical sensory perception in ASD has received much attention, yet little is known about its cause or neurobiology. Herein, we review the findings from neuroimaging studies related to visual perception in ASD. Specifically, we examined the neural underpinnings of visual detection, motion perception, and face processing in ASD. Results from neuroimaging studies indicate that atypical visual perception in ASD may be influenced by attention or higher order cognitive mechanisms, and atypical face perception may be affected by disrupted social brain network. However, there is considerable evidence for atypical early visual processing in ASD. It is likely that visual perceptual abnormalities are independent of deficits of social functions or cognition. Importantly, atypical visual perception in ASD may enhance difficulties in dealing with complex and subtle social stimuli, or improve outstanding abilities in certain fields in individuals with Savant syndrome. Thus, future research is required to elucidate the characteristics and neurobiology of autistic visual perception to effectively apply these findings in the interventions of ASD.
2.How Well Do We Understand Autistic Savant Artists: A Review of Various Hypotheses and Research Findings to Date
Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 2023;34(2):93-111
The authors investigated the artistic characteristics of autistic savant artists, hypotheses on the proximate and ultimate causes of their emergence, recent psychological and other studies about them, and psychological and neuroaesthetic studies about non-savant autistic individuals. The artistic features of autistic savant artists were significantly similar to those of outsider artists. Furthermore, the authors investigated the explanatory power of the paradoxical functional facilitation theory, the superior visual perception hypothesis, the “Hmmmmm” hypothesis, and the Neanderthal theory of autism regarding the emergence of autistic savant artists. In addition, we investigated whether an increase in savant characteristics was related to a decrease in the ability for social communication. The authors suggested that in studies on the aesthetic experience of non-savant autistic individuals, their aesthetic experience ability is never lower than that of neurotypical individuals and that some non-savant autistic individuals may potentially have artistic talent. Finally, the authors reviewed the effectiveness of the “autism savant spectrum syndromic disorder” proposed by some researchers. More scientific and systematic studies on autistic savant artists from a multidisciplinary perspective are warranted.
3.A Case of Acute Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Following Influenza B Virus Infection.
Seungwon JUNG ; Sunghee KANG ; Jin Han KANG ; Sang Hyuk MA
Pediatric Infection & Vaccine 2015;22(2):117-120
Virus-associated immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) can occur following common viruses, but cases of ITP associated with influenza infection has seldom been reported. In this report we describe a previously healthy 5-year-old boy who admitted with fever, flu-like symptoms and a few bruises on both legs. Severe thrombocytopenia were found. Bone marrow aspirates and biopsy showed no abnormalities and results of coagulation tests were all in normal limit. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was positive for influenza B infection. The patient fully recovered with intravenous immunoglobulins and steroid therapy.
Biopsy
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Bone Marrow
;
Child, Preschool
;
Contusions
;
Fever
;
Humans
;
Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
;
Influenza B virus*
;
Influenza, Human*
;
Leg
;
Male
;
Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic*
;
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
;
Thrombocytopenia
4.Intracranial Hypertension after COVID-19 Infection
Woohyun PARK ; Seungwon SONG ; Da Eun JUNG ; Jung Hyun LEE ; Min Kyung CHU
Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2023;41(2):141-144
Headache is a frequent complaint in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients. Nevertheless, no detailed information on the pathophysiology of headache in COVID-19 infection is currently limited. We encountered a patient developing headache, diplopia, and intracranial hypertension after COVID-19 infection. The patient no more complained of headache and diplopia after the intracranial pressure was normalized. Our case suggests that intracranial hypertension is a mechanism of headache in COVID-19 infection. We report herein a case of transient intracranial hypertension after COCVID-19 infection.
5.Differential Blast Counts Obtained by Automated Blood Cell Analyzers.
Seungwon JUNG ; Hyojin CHAE ; Jihyang LIM ; Eun Jee OH ; Yonggoo KIM ; Yeon Joon PARK ; Kyungja HAN
The Korean Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2010;30(6):540-546
BACKGROUND: Automated blood cell analyzers often read leukemic blasts as normal cells. In this study, we evaluated the 5-part differential patterns of blasts using automated analyzers to determine if they can differentiate among blast types. METHODS: Blood samples containing 10% or more blasts were collected from patients with acute leukemia (N=175). The 5-part differential count was conducted using DxH 800 (Beckman Coulter, USA) and XE-2100 analyzers (Sysmex Co., Japan), and the results were compared with manual differential counts, which was used as a reference method. RESULTS: The DxH 800 reported the 5-part white blood cell differential count in 98.9% of the cases. The XE-2100 provided an invalid automated differential count in 72% of the cases. Both analyzers counted most lymphoblasts as lymphocytes and most myeloblasts as monocytes. In 11 cases, the DxH 800 reported a 5-part differential count without a blast flag. CONCLUSIONS: Some automated analyzers are able to recognize and count blasts according to their characteristic cell types. Therefore, complete blood counts obtained automatically can provide valuable data for making provisional decisions regarding the lineage of leukemia cells before further investigation.
Acute Disease
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Automation
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Blood Cell Count/*instrumentation/methods
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Humans
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Leukemia/blood/*diagnosis
;
Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute/blood/diagnosis
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Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/blood/diagnosis
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Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/blood/diagnosis
;
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/blood/diagnosis
6.Atrophy of Thalamic Nuclei in Patients with Alcohol Dependence
Jeonghwan LEE ; Seungwon CHUNG ; Hyemi PARK ; Gawon JU ; Jung-Woo SON ; Chul-Jin SHIN ; Sang Ick LEE ; Siekyeong KIM
Journal of the Korean Society of Biological Therapies in Psychiatry 2020;26(3):259-268
Objectives:
:Chronic alcohol ingestion is associated with structural alterations in the brain. In patients with alcohol dependence, thalamic volume is frequently diminished, commensurate with the amount of alcohol consumption, duration of illness, and cognitive impairment. Since the thalamus is composed of histologically and functionally distinct nuclei, we aimed to investigate volumetric changes of these nuclei in patients with alcohol dependence.
Methods:
:Twenty-three participants with alcohol dependence who had abstained from drinking for at least 3 months (alcohol group) and 21 age-matched healthy controls (control group) underwent 3T magnetic resonance imaging. The volumes of 50 individual thalamic nuclei were reconstructed using FreeSurfer 6.0.0. We compared normalized volumes of thalamic nuclei between the two groups using analysis of covariance, controlling for age. The p-values were corrected using False Discovery Rate (p<0.05).
Results:
:The alcohol group demonstrated atrophy of the whole thalamus and nuclei in the anterior, ventral, intralaminar, and medial thalamus. However, the volumes of bilateral lateral geniculate, medial geniculate, suprageniculatelimitans, pulvinar lateral, and right pulvinar inferior nuclei which are included in posterior thalamus, were not significantly different between the two groups.
Conclusion
:In the alcohol group, atrophy of most thalamic nuclei which are associated with language processing, visuospatial memory, autobiographical memory, executive function and attention were not normalized after 3 months of sobriety. Furthermore, thalamic nuclei volumes, which are associated with visual and auditory information processing, were not significantly different compared to controls. We suggest that this could be microstructural evidence of relatively preserved visual attention and auditory startle response in patients with alcohol dependence.
7.The Relationship Between Anger and Suicidality
Jun-Hyuck KIM ; Gawon JU ; Sang Ick LEE ; Chul-Jin SHIN ; Jung-Woo SON ; Siekyeong KIM ; Jeonghwan LEE ; Seungwon CHUNG
Mood and Emotion 2023;21(3):86-94
Background:
This study explored the effect of anger on suicidality by dividing participants into a group with major depressive disorder (MDD) and a non-MDD group, and also investigated whether the anger expression affects suicidality in participants without clinical depression.
Methods:
A total of 1,015 residents responded to anonymous questionnaires in our survey. The survey included scales, such as the Patients Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Korean State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus. Participants were categorized into the MDD and non-MDD groups or depression group and non-depression group following the PHQ-9 score. Logistic regression analysis was performed to confirm the association between anger and suicidality in the non-MDD and non-MDD groups.
Results:
Anger suppression and higher PHQ-9 appeared as risk factors for suicidality in the non-MDD group. The depression level in the non-MDD group mediates the relationship between anger suppression and suicidality. Higher PHQ-9 was no longer a risk factor and anger suppression remains a risk factor in the non-depression group.
Conclusion
Not only depression evaluation, but also anger evaluation is important when assessing suicidality. Implementing anger management programs for people with high anger suppression can help lower suicidality in Korean society, where negative emotional expression is suppressed.
8.Comparing Ruminative and Distracting Responses and Emotion Regulation Difficulties in Early Community Adolescents With and Without Self-Harm
Yeontaek OH ; Cheolgyu SHIN ; Jonggook LEE ; Keun OH ; Heeyoung SEO ; Seungwon CHUNG ; Je Jung LEE
Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 2024;35(2):127-135
Objectives:
This study aimed to compare the demographic characteristics, responses to negative emotions, and difficulties in emotion regulation between self-harming adolescents and control individuals aged 12–14 years from the community.
Methods:
Data were collected from adolescents in Chungcheong Province, South Korea, between September 2021 and November 2022.Demographic characteristics and responses to the Depressed Mood Questionnaire and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-16 (DERS-16) were compared between the self-harm and control groups.
Results:
The self-harm group exhibited a higher prevalence of child abuse (odds ratio [OR]=4.787, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.591– 14.409, p=0.005) and school bullying victimization (OR=4.495, 95% CI=2.353–8.588, p<0.001) than those in the control group. The selfharm group displayed higher levels of rumination (t=7.88, p<0.001) and reduced distraction responses (reverse score t=2.25, p=0.025) than those of the control group. Additionally, the self-harm group scored higher on all subscales and the total DERS-16 score (t=7.61, p<0.001).
Conclusion
Interventions for self-harming adolescents should address child abuse and bullying victimization. Prevention programs for self-harming adolescents should focus on reducing rumination responses, increasing distractive responses, and addressing difficulties in emotion regulation using dialectical behavior therapy-skill training.
9.Incidence and Risk Factors for Early-Onset Hypertension after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children.
Dae Hyun KWON ; Seungwon JUNG ; Eun Jung LEE ; Jae Young LEE ; Sena MOON ; Jae Wook LEE ; Nack Gyun CHUNG ; Bin CHO ; Hack Ki KIM
Korean Circulation Journal 2013;43(12):804-810
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Survivors of pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are at risk for developing hypertension. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of early onset hypertension during the engraftment period after HSCT. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 157 consecutive patients (mean age at HSCT: 9.1+/-5.1 years) who underwent HSCT for acute myeloid leukemia (n=47), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=43), severe aplastic anemia (n=41), and other reasons (n=26). Blood pressure data were collected at five time points: 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after HSCT. Hypertension was defined as having systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure > or =95th percentile according to age, gender, and height. To analyze the risk factors related to hypertension, data, including patients' demographic and transplant characteristics, were reviewed. RESULTS: Hypertension developed in 59 patients (38%), among whom 12 (7.6%) required long term therapy. Thirty-two (54%) patients had systolic and diastolic, 8 (14%) had only systolic, and 19 (32%) had only diastolic hypertension. Younger age, acute graft-versus-host disease, sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, treatment with antifungal agent, and greater increase in serum creatinine (Cr) levels were associated with hypertension. Multivariate analysis showed that younger age at HSCT and greater increase in serum Cr level were independent risk factors for hypertension. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of hypertension during immediate post-HSCT period is high, especially in younger children. A greater increase in Cr after HSCT was significantly associated with hypertension. Further study is needed to elucidate long-term cardiovascular complications in pediatric HSCT survivors.
Anemia, Aplastic
;
Blood Pressure
;
Child
;
Creatinine
;
Graft vs Host Disease
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cells*
;
Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease
;
Humans
;
Hypertension*
;
Incidence*
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute
;
Multivariate Analysis
;
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma
;
Prevalence
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Risk Factors*
;
Survivors
10.Graph Theoretical Analysis of Brain Structural Connectivity in Patients with Alcohol Dependence
Hyunjung LEE ; Joon Hyung JUNG ; Seungwon CHUNG ; Gawon JU ; Siekyeong KIM ; Jung-Woo SON ; Chul-Jin SHIN ; Sang Ick LEE ; Jeonghwan LEE
Experimental Neurobiology 2023;32(5):362-369
This study aimed to compare brain structural connectivity using graph theory between patients with alcohol dependence and social drinkers. The participants were divided into two groups; the alcohol group (N=23) consisting of patients who had been hospitalized and had abstained from alcohol for at least three months and the control group (N=22) recruited through advertisements and were social drinkers. All participants were evaluated using 3T magnetic resonance imaging. A total of 1000 repeated whole-brain tractographies with random parameters were performed using DSI Studio. Four hundred functionally defined cortical regions of interest (ROIs) were parcellated using FreeSurfer based on the Schaefer Atlas.The ROIs were overlaid on the tractography results to generate 1000 structural connectivity matrices per person, and 1000 matrices were averaged into a single matrix per subject. Graph analysis was performed through igraph R package. Graph measures were compared between the two groups using analysis of covariance, considering the effects of age and smoking pack years. The alcohol group showed lower local efficiency than the control group in the whole-brain (F=5.824, p=0.020), somato-motor (F=5.963, p=0.019), and default mode networks (F=4.422, p=0.042). The alcohol group showed a lower global efficiency (F=5.736, p=0.021) in the control network. The transitivity of the alcohol group in the dorsal attention network was higher than that of the control (F=4.257, p=0.046). Our results imply that structural stability of the whole-brain network is affected in patients with alcohol dependence, which can lead to ineffective information processing in cases of local node failure.