2024 June

SYNTHIFY

June

Neurology

SYNTHIFY

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CAUSES AND TREATMENTS OF VARIOUS NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS - YEWON PARK

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THE ROLE OF NEUROPLASTICITY IN THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY

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THE NEUROLOGICAL DIMENSIONS OF COMA

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THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON THE HUMAN BRAIN

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TRUTH BEHIND WHAT SCREEN TIME REALLY DOES TO YOUR BRAIN

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INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY ON BRAIN DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN

- WOOJIN CHUNG

- TAKATO IKEDA

- SEOYOON WON

- RHIANNA KIM

- JOSEPH LIM

THE EFFECTS THAT REELS HAVE ON THE BRAIN AND WHAT MAKES IT SO ADDICTIVE - JOHN BHANG

NEUROTHERAPY OF COLORS - JIEUN PARK

OVERVIEW OF THE NEUROLOGY OF STRESS - HOSUNG BAE

AUTISM, ADHD AND ITS UNDERLYING CAUSES - HARSHITA YANGALASETTY

NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES: THEIR BASIC CAUSES AND PREVENTION - ETHAN KIM

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- DANIEL LIM

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BRIDGING MINDS AND MACHINES: BRAIN-COMPUTER INTERFACES

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SLEEP DISORDER

- AUDREY CHOI

YEWON PARK

CAUSES AND TREATMENTS OF VARIOUS NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

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NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES

neurological disease is a type of disease that causes sudden loss of consciousness, convulsions, and mental disorders, all due to a functional disorder of a brain tissue. These symptoms are also accompanied by various symptoms affecting the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Typical neurological diseases include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and epilepsy. In this article, we will focus particularly on Alzheimer's disease.

To begin, each neurological disease will be explained in detail. First of all, Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and is a disease that occurs with the elderly. This disease is accompanied by symptoms such as decreased memory, which are typical symptoms, as well as decreased cognitive function and rapid personality changes, which worsen over time. Adding on, Parkinson's disease, like Alzheimer's, is a neurodegenerative disease that is considered a type of dementia that affects motor function. Typical symptoms include tremors, stiffness, and slowing motion.Traumatic brain injury, meaning that the brain is damaged by physical trauma, can be explained as a phenomenon that can lead to mental illness rather than a mental illness itself, and symptoms vary widely from mild headache to severe brain injury. Finally, epilepsy is a chronic disease in which abnormalities in the electrical activity of the brain cause repetitive seizures. The frequency and form of seizures may vary from person to person.

Such a neurological disease not only has a fatal effect on the performance of the patient's own daily life, but also puts a considerable burden on the guardian. Therefore, it is very important to prevent and treat neurological diseases in advance, because they reduce individual independence and can cause physical and mental stress.

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There can be a wide variety of reasons for the occurrence of neurological diseases, but it can be more specifically divided into genetic factors and environmental factors. In the case of genetic factors, the risk of developing neurological diseases increases due to mutations in specific genes, and environmental factors relate to acquired experiences or lifestyle habits. Examples include physical trauma, eating habits, and long-lasting habits such as smoking.

As mentioned earlier, Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that is common in the elderly, and it is a mental disease that receives attention in modern society especially as the society ages. Symptoms in the early stages of Alzheimer's are memory loss, and as the disease progresses, the ability to perform daily tasks and cognitive functions decrease. Clinical evaluation, cognitive function test, and brain imaging test are performed to diagnose Alzheimer's. Factors that cause Alzheimer's can also be divided into genetic and environmental factors. The genetic factor of Alzheimer's is very much related to the APOE4 gene, and in the case of acquired factors, there is a lack of social stimulation as well as an unbalanced diet.

Popular Alzheimer's treatments currently include acetylcholine degrading enzyme inhibitors and NMDA receptor antagonists. These drugs play a role in alleviating symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease, but they cannot completely prevent the progression of Alzheimer's. In addition, existing non-drug treatments include music therapy and cognitive rehabilitation, which contribute to improving the quality of life of patients who are stressed in their daily lives.

Immunotherapy through vaccines is currently under study, and it aims to prevent Alzheimer's in advance or slow the progression of the disease in the early stages through vaccines.

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In order to prevent and treat neurological diseases that can have a fatal effect on the patient's individual daily life and those around them, it is important to further study the causes and symptoms of each neurological symptom and seek treatments. To this end, it is very important that continuous research is carried out and more people are aware of the seriousness of neurological diseases.

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June 2, 2024 / Yewon Park / ash.yw.park@gmail.com

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THE ROLE OF NEUROPLASTICITY IN THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY

WOOJIN CHUNG

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he medical technology of humans has continuously been upgraded. Among numerous components that contributed to the development of the medical industry, neuroplasticity has taken a large portion. In simple words, neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and adapt due to experience. Using such a process that involves adaptive structural and functional changes to the brain, medical personnels and doctors have devised various methods to utilize neuroplasticity such as virtual reality therapy and PTSD treatment. In addition, neuroscientists claim that the room for development of the current neuroplasticity technology is endless if it combines with AI– mobile, sensing, wearable technologies–and other mechanization.

THE CURRENT STATE OF NEUROPLASTICITY The usage of neuroplasticity is prevalent in the medical industry nowadays; it is used in stroke rehabilitation, mitigating neurodegenerative diseases, and in mental health treatment. After a stroke–a loss of blood flow to part of the brain which damages one’s brain tissue–consistent longterm care is required for the patient’s swift recovery. Neuroplasticity harnesses the patient’s recovery process. According to Physiopedia, neuroplasticity aids stroke rehabilitation by allowing healthy brain portions to recover for damaged areas by developing novel functions through processes like inter-hemispheric lateralization, formation of new connections in cortical regions, and reorganization of cortical representational maps. Furthermore, these are instinctive processes that assist such significant spontaneous recovery.

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The usage of neuroplasticity is prevalent in the medical industry nowadays; it is used in stroke rehabilitation, mitigating neurodegenerative diseases, and in mental health treatment. After a stroke–a loss of blood flow to part of the brain which damages one’s brain tissue–consistent longterm care is required for the patient’s swift recovery. Neuroplasticity harnesses the patient’s recovery process. According to Physiopedia, neuroplasticity aids stroke rehabilitation by allowing healthy brain portions to recover for damaged areas by developing novel functions through processes like inter-hemispheric lateralization, formation of new connections in cortical regions, and reorganization of cortical representational maps. Furthermore, these are instinctive processes that assist such significant spontaneous recovery. Utilizing positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)I–noninvasive imaging techniques–also helps people discover the latent phenomena of neuroplasticity. Patients who are suffering from neurodegenerative diseases–diseases resulting from neuron loss, representatively Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease–can ameliorate their conditions via utilizing neuroplasticity. In accordance with BMC, neuroplasticity helps Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients by potentially enhancing the function of brains and decelerating the speed of the disease’s progression.

Currently, neurologists are working on developing brain stimulation techniques that aim to mobilize neuroplasticity’s ability for essentially executing treatment by using deep brain stimulation (DBS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)–the specific regions of the brain.

What is more, even mental health problems can be coped with neuroplasticity. As stated by Life Stance Health, through intentional practices involving neuroplasticity, people can fortify positive thoughts and maneuvers while weakening negative ones. Specifically, people with depression problems can train their brains to wrestle with self-activated negative thoughts, and foster selflove. Furthermore, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) provides methods to reconstruct thought processing. Also, regular exercise increases neuroplasticity and promotes cognitive function and mood regulation. To sum up, neuroplasticity is widespread throughout diverse aspects of the medical system and deeply embedded into our lives. Aside from the particular pathways to strengthen people’s neuroplasticity, methods such as neurofeedback and brain-computer interfaces are also obliging to such processes.

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AIM HIGHER, DEVELOP MORE Neuroplasticity is expanding its phase in the medical industry. As mentioned above, neuroplasticity possesses countless positive effects throughout various processes that aim to mitigate stroke patients, treat neurodegenerative diseases, and help mental disorder patients.

Neuroplasticity is a promising technique that people expect to bring and spread mesmerizing impacts to our lives. To address mental health issues more effectively, scientists are consistently developing personalized therapeutic interventions. Moreover, they are developing protocols for neurofeedback training that provide real-time feedback on brain activity, enhancing neuroplasticity and helping individuals self-regulate. They have demonstrated that people should not settle on what has been achieved, but should continue studying neuroplasticity and devising new approaches to save lives through neuroplasticity. The best way to contribute to the public good is through medication. In order to make society better, people must strive to develop technologies to the next level and provide public goods to everyone.

June 9, 2024 / Woojin Chung / boomboysoccer@gmail.com

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THE NEUROLOGICAL DIMENSIONS OF COMA

EXPLORING THE DEPTHS OF UNCONSCIOUSNESS

TAKATO IKEDA

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magine waking up on a random day, hearing the beep sounds of the heart rate monitor next to you. You’re surrounded by faces, voices, and a world that seems both familiar and alien. You try to remember what brought you here, but nothing comes to mind. What felt like a short nap, turns out to be months of unconsciousness. Families and friends were praying for the day you wake up with teary eyes the whole time. You’ve been in a coma. To fully understand what happened, deeper exploration of the neurological aspects of coma is essential. What was the cause? What was the treatment? What brought you alive instead of leaving you dead? Were you really in a state of unconsciousness the whole time? Did every part of the brain stop working? By delving into these questions, we can unfold the mysterious truth behind our brain’s work during a coma.

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A coma, according to the National Institution of Health, is defined as a state of deep unconsciousness, which is an eyes-closed unresponsive state. A coma patient has very little brain activity and is not conscious. They cannot be roused from their unconscious state, even though they are still alive. It is typically known for having 4 stages: unresponsiveness, early responsiveness, agitation and confusion, and higher level of responsiveness. Patients waking up from a coma are not able to remember or tell what is going on immediately. In fact, the range of agitation and confusion stages can last from a few minutes to a few months in rare cases. The human brain mainly consists of 3 parts:, the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brainstem. The cerebrum (front of brain) mostly comprises the cerebral cortex. Areas of the cerebrum control our speech, thinking and reasoning, problem-solving, judgment, and emotions. The brainstem acts as a connection of the cerebrum and the spinal cord, with its job mainly to control subconscious body functions. The cerebellum, located at the back of the head, coordinates muscle movements and balance. Then, what is the cause for coma? What part of the brain exactly is damaged?

Comas can be caused by brain trauma, especially if there is bilateral brain damage (damage to both sides of the brain) or harm to the reticular activating system. The reticular activating system controls consciousness and arousal in the cerebral cortex. Other common neurological causes include a traumatic brain injury, hypoxia, a stroke, infections, and inflammation. To clarify, hypoxia is when there are extremely low levels of oxygen in our body tissues. When a blood vessel that supplies the brain with nutrition and oxygen becomes clogged, a stroke happens. In the US, it ranks as the fifth most common cause of death and a major contributor to disability.

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How do we treat this severe phenomena? There are actually several ways to completely heal and treat a person experiencing a coma. For causes such as hypoxia, a stroke, infections, and inflammation, doctors may help with breathing primarily. It may be necessary to have a treatment or take medication to reduce pressure on the brain caused by brain swelling as well. Emergency medical personnel may provide antibiotics or glucose via an arm vein. When a part of the brain is heavily damaged, doctors try to use Amantadine, a drug typically used in Parkinson’s disease.

However, we need to acknowledge that aftercare plays a crucial role in recovery too. Continuous supportive care and rehabilitation therapies from families and experts would increase the speed of recovery and decrease the risk of a longer term of memory loss.

Coma, a deep state of unconsciousness, is caused by a variety of factors, and is far deeper than we realize. Future developments in neuroscience should lead to improved therapeutic and diagnostic approaches, improving coma patients' chances of recovery. There is hope for better patient care and more potent medicines in the future thanks to neurology's ongoing evolution.

June 11, 2024 / Takato Ikeda / takato17706@gmail.com

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THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON THE HUMAN BRAIN

TYPES OF NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES LIKELY CAUSED

BY AIR POLLUTION SEOYOON WON

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n average person breathes around 22,000 times a day, and with each breath, we take in harmful pollutants that can damage our health. Pollutants including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, or nitrogen dioxide are increasingly covering the Earth, exacerbating the issue of air pollution. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99 percent of the global population breathes air that exceeds the WHO guideline limits, which are the acceptable mean concentrations of major pollutants in our atmosphere to maintain our health. Severe air pollution is an environmental health problem since the air we breathe can impact our lungs, hearts, and even brains. With an estimated 213.28 million number of cases per year, air pollution both indoor and outdoor is listed as the second most risk factor for diseases. Several neurological diseases are also included in those diseases since the olfactory system acts as a direct path for small particles into the brain and allow the toxin pollutants to impair our brain.

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Dementia, which comes with the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions, is known as the most common disease provoked by air pollution. A small fine particulate matter of PM 2.5, driven by traffic fumes and burning wood in a fireplace, has recently been identified as a risk factor of dementia. Its small size enables the particle to travel through the human's respiratory system and into our lungs, eventually disrupting our brain system. A group of researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health in 2023 researched the correlation between the exposure to PM 2.5 and the development of dementia. By estimating the level of people’s pollution exposures with real-time pollution measurements, they collected data from 27,000 adults in PM 2.5 air pollution exposures. The study concluded that 15 percent of people exposed to PM 2.5 showed the development of dementia. Although it is not possible to say that air pollutants directly cause dementia, it is evident that these factors raise the chance of dementia.

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Alzheimer’s disease, the most general form of dementia, is also linked to air pollution. Magnetite, a tiny particle that comes from combustion processes such as vehicle exhaust, wood fires, and power stations, can induce symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers stated that magnetite particles enter the brain through the nasal passages and the olfactory bulb, which is the first relay center for olfactory information in the brain located in the bottom of the brain. Moreover, a professor from the Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection stated that most of the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease was due to environmental causes, with less than 1 percent originating from genetic causes.

Air pollution is not a simple problem only related to our environment and ecosystem. It accounts for approximately 7 million premature deaths every year, being a contributor to human health problems, including neurological issues. Government policies and initiatives from many organizations, such as the EPA’s Clean Air Act, have been striving for decades to lessen this severe issue. For our own health and the upcoming generation, minimizing human activities that degrade the environment in order to prevent air pollution may be necessary.

June 2, 2024 / Seoyoon Won / swon1359@gmail.com

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TRUTH BEHIND WHAT SCREEN TIME REALLY DOES TO YOUR BRAIN EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE SCREEN TIME ON BRAIN DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENCE

RHIANNA KIM

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s children, many of us grew up with parents installing an irritating, impenetrable barrier to happiness and dopamine—that is, a screen time tracker. According to MedlinePlus, “screen time” refers to activities held out in front of a screen including online work or playing video games. Hence, it is categorized as a “sedentary activity,” meaning individuals are desk-bound and lack physical activity.

A study by Hamid Reza Mokhtarinia (2022) on smartphone addiction has shown that, in today’s world, an alarming 50% of children and adolescents suffer from phone addiction. But how exactly do individuals develop an addiction, and what is the relationship between excessive screen time and brain development?

IMPACTS ON THE BRAIN When exposed to excessive screen time, the primarily affected structure is the frontal lobe which carries out many important human functions including emotions, memory, interactions, impulse control, and ability to think critically.

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Excessive screen time causes the gray matter which is a crucial tissue in the central nervous system allowing individuals to perform day-to-day activities, does not develop normally and causes challenges in recognising emotions and optimal brain functions. The white matter, which is responsible for literacy and cognitive skills, is also impacted negatively.

In 2022, Doctor John Hutton carried out a study looking at MRI scans of developing children's brains and comparing the structure of those with relatively greater screen time to those with less exposure to screens. The main focus was on the cortical thickness (the brain’s outer layer) which is responsible for creativity and thinking, and the sulcal depth (the distance between the cortical and the hull). The study concluded that a greater screen time shows a smaller cortical thickness and sulcal depth which resulted in faster advancement in visual processing but slower and underdevelopment in areas requiring more complicated skills including language proficiency, reading and social interactions. Doctor Hutton has stated that limiting a child’s screen time results in healthy development and capability to adjust to new environments (Cincinnati Children’s, 2022).

Furthermore, Doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital concluded that greater exposure to screens from a younger age causes slower-frequency brain waves to become stronger as shown in Figure 2, which results in a state of lower awareness of surroundings and inattention. When these children reach school ages, they face difficulties with focusing and struggle with cognitive control.

Although other factors are involved, excessive screen time plays the biggest role in reduced executive functioning.

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Excessive screen time is especially detrimental and dangerous to children of younger age groups as they are exposed to more stimuli through screens than they would encounter in real life which leads to overstimulation. Watching videos could cause sensory overload due to the images and bright colors which sets off a ‘fight or flight’ response in the brain causing a release of stress hormones including adrenaline which results in various emotional and psychological reactions such as anxiety and insomnia. For adolescents who spend the majority of their time on their laptops, the risk of developing stress-related disorders is greater as they are already vulnerable.

IMPACTS ON EVERYDAY LIFE One of the most important aspects in students' lives are academics. However, excessive screen time can lead to difficulties in motivation to do schoolwork and extracurricular activities as the brain has become impassive to the real-world and “lives in” online gaming experiences. The main cause of this is the release of dopamine which is also known as the “reward” chemical. The circuit of this rewarding feeling makes individuals do more of the same routine which could increase risky behavior and competitiveness. This ultimately leads to students not being able to showcase their full academic potential which could greatly impact their future.

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Another key aspect of students’ lives is getting a sufficient amount of sleep to support growth and development. Excessive screen time, that is, the large amounts of stimulation and blue light reduces the amount of melatonin released. Insufficient sleep could eventually lead to demotivation in school, depression and students will get sick more often.

HEALTHY HABITS FOR BRAIN PROTECTION It is clear that in today’s society it is impossible to completely eliminate all screen time from student’s lives, hence it is important to control the period of time spent on devices and what is being enjoyed online- especially for younger age groups, watching screens should be a last resort, however when necessary, it is crucial to stick to low-stimulation films and games. To allow children to perform at their full potential and grow in a healthy manner, following government recommendations regarding screen time and ensuring there is more physical activity being carried out than time spent watching screens should be a priority.

Ultimately, we should be grateful towards parents for controlling our screen time since it has been proven by multiple studies that excessive screen time provides nothing but detrimental impacts on one's cognition, verbal ability and mental health.

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June 8, 2024 / Rhianna Kim / rhihyunk@gmail.com

INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY ON BRAIN DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN HOW EXPOSURE TO TECHNOLOGY AFFECTS THE COGNITIVE FUNCTION OF CHILDREN JOSEPH LIM

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n today’s digital age, the rapid development of novel technologies has revolutionized the cognitive growth of children, shaping their interactions and experiences from a young age.

Understanding the impact of technology on the maturing and developing brains of children is crucial, given its prevalence and potential effects, both negative and positive.

From smartphones and tablets to computers and gaming consoles, nowadays children have access to a wide array of technology. Statistics from the Guardian reveal that by the age of 10, 42 percent of children in the United States possess a phone, and the percentage rises to 71 percent by the age of 12. Additionally, the National Institute of Health reports that in the US, more than 90 percent of children older than 2 years play video games. Although the mere possession of home internet technologies such as smartphones and exposure to video games at a young age poses developmental concerns, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy reports that on average, children ages 8-12 in the United States spend 4-6 hours a day watching or using screens.

The abnormal interaction with such technologies from a maturing stage may lead to serious addiction, thus highlighting the negative impacts technology has on the development of children’s brains.

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Undoubtedly, extreme screen times and exposure to these addictive technologies such as smartphones pose cognitive concerns and issues. Specifically, children are inevitably exposed to fast paced contents when surfing the internet. These short paced contents have detrimental effects on attention and concentration, especially for children whose brains are more malleable and plastic, according to the NIH. Moreover, the blue light – part of the visible light spectrum – emitted from electronic devices disrupts the circadian rhythm, or sleep cycle, by signaling the brain to wake up when it should be winding down. Studies show more than 2 hours of exposure to blue light at night slowed or stopped the release of the sleep hormone melatonin. These effects may hinder cognitive development of children, hindering intellectual progress.

While technologies may be detrimental , they can serve as a valuable educational tool on the other hand. They offer interactive games, apps, and websites designed to enhance cognitive skills.

Apps and platforms such as Coursera and Khan Academy gamify the learning process and serve as an educational online database, offering a myriad of personalized and self paced learning courses along with a multitude of educational articles, fostering problem-solving abilities and critical thinking-skills.

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Furthermore, in addition to the aforementioned academic sources, the internet serves as a digital library, a vast resource for learning. Subsequently, exposure to the internet fosters curiosity and independence, motivating children to explore diverse topics and interests.

To reiterate, the influence of technology on children's brain development is multifaceted, encompassing both positive and negative aspects. While technology offers valuable learning experience and skill development, it also presents challenges regarding the cognitive development of children such as disturbance of sleep cycle and shortened attention span. By understanding the nuances of technology’s impact and exploiting them, we can strive to harness the full potential and improve children’s cognitive and neural development.

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June 2, 2024 / Joseph Lim / jojo08siwa1216@gmail.com

THE EFFECTS THAT REELS HAVE ON THE BRAIN AND WHAT MAKES IT SO ADDICTIVE WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF WATCHING REELS?

JOHN BHANG

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oday,many people all across the globe are addicted to short-form content, a type of entertainment that’s easily accessible anywhere. With the popularity of Instagram and Tiktok, short-form content consumption has significantly increased with over 200 million active users engaging daily. (Demand Sage) Reels negatively impact the brain as it makes it foster a fragmented attention span, encourage surface-level information processing, and form poorer memory formation.

There are several factors that lead to reels addiction. For instance, the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter controlling pleasure and reward is a major contributor to addiction. For every reel one watches, the more dopamine the brain releases, which creates a loop where people want to seek more dopamine release after watching each reel, leading to addiction. Adding on, reels, which uses personalized algorithms, resonate better with each user, making them want to watch more personalized reels.

Firstly, algorithmic personalization is one of the key factors that create addiction to reels.

Instagram and Tiktok use algorithm systems to uniquely analyze eachuser’s preferences, which allows the app to bring up content that the users prefer. (India Today) Reels are addictive by nature as they show us fun content, but when companies add personalized algorithms, this means that it would make it harder for users to stop watching. Furthermore, the fear of missing out (FOMO) on recent trends or news further compels users to frequently check their feeds and get the most updated information. Finally, the ease of accessing reels contributes to the growing addiction of reels. Because it is so easy to access, users are more likely to watch countless reels than do other productive stuff. 

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Additionally, the brevity of reels encourages the brain to practice more superficial information processing rather than deeply grasping the information. Due to the short duration of limits, the videos are often simple, focusing on encasing the viewers attention rather than other things.

When the brain processes information in this manner, it is less likely to remember it and keep it in its long term memory, leading to poorer retention of knowledge. If this continues, it can severely chan ge how individuals process information in other situations.

The rise of reels from Instagram, Tiktok, and other social media platforms has significant effects on the brain. The addictive nature of these reels, added with dopamine release, algorithmic personalization, FOMO, and ease of access, drives individuals to constantly watch reels. Constant addiction and overexposure to reels can create a fragmented attention span and encourage superficial information processing, hindering the brain’s capability to form longer term memories.

Thus, people should not strive to get rid of reels as a whole, but try to restrain oneself from becoming too addicted to its schemes.

June 2, 2024 / Junhyuk Bhang / 1simonjohn9598@gmail.com

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NEUROTHERAPY OF COLORS :THROUGH COLOR PSYCHOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE

JIEUN PARK

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ave you ever felt changing your mind through colors? It is easy for us to think of colors only as personal preferences and how they can be seen through light. However, color has a deeper meaning than it is perceived by the public; it plays a significant role in neurology and psychotherapy. In this journal, we would like to learn about the neurological effects of color and how it can be used in real life or treatment of diseases or kind of problems of people’s life.

First of all, I’ll mention the power of red. When red is detected by the human eye, the hormone adrenaline is secreted and sympathetic nerves are triggered to stimulate the pulse, which increases energy but interferes with stability. For this reason, red is known to help children who are unmotivated or introverted to develop social skills. It can improve their long term passions.

Secondly, blue has the opposite effect with red. It stimulates parasympathetic nerves to relieve immediate stress, but it also causes the body to droop and lose the ability to get out of depression or anxiety. This is why blue is effective in relieving insomnia and migraines, and sleeping pill wrappers have a lot of blue color.

Next are green and yellow. Green is said to be a great help in relieving tension. It is known to have a positive effect on bipolar disorder and blood circulation by stabilizing the sympathetic nervous system. However, using green on people who are tired can make humen feel drowsy.

The yellow can stimulate brain activity by activating the autonomic nervous system(a part of the peripheral nervous system that cannot be controlled by itself: from the writer) throughout, enhancing confidence, thinking ability, and judgment. Therefore, a bright yellow color can interfere with rest.

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And then, we’re going to talk about ganglion. The color of the ganglion is similar to this theory of color therapy. A ganglion is what happens to a carrier or nerve arresting body in the nervous system. There are usually yellow, orange, red, and purple. Here, we can find some overlapping points. The yellow color usually causes bright emotions, and the yellow ganglion is said to have a high probability of containing epinephrine or norepinephrine. Also, the red ganglion, known as the energizing color, is said to have a high probability of containing histamine, dopamine, and serotonin, which are the neurotransmitters improving brain activities. And their color can change depending on which neurotransmitters and chemicals are contained.

As such, the science of color is much more interesting and helpful to us than normally throught of.

There are many other mysterious colors and functions as therapy that have not yet been revealed.

We can appreciate the value of research as another treatment for brain diseases that have yet to be solved.

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April 30, 2024 / Ji-eun Park / pje070608@gmail.com

OVERVIEW OF THE NEUROLOGY OF STRESS THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF CHRONIC STRESS AND THE MANAGEMENT OF STRESS

HOSUNG BAE

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owadays, stress is a common symptom that we experience everyday. In a survey done by the APA(American Psychological Association) in 2022, 27% of respondents said that on most days they are stressed to the point that they can’t function. According to WHO, stress is a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. When we think of stress, we usually imagine something negative, but stress is actually not always positive or negative. For instance, Eustress is a beneficial stress that enhances one’s performance. In contrast, Distress is a detrimental stress that might cause impaired performance due to strong anxiety and even lead to depressive behaviors. If stress is prolonged for a long period, it might cause serious health problems. Hence, understanding stress from a neurological perspective is essential to how we face and treat stress.

In order to do so, we should grasp the concept of a stress response system. There are two stages for the stress response system: the first stage is centered around the amygdala, and the second stage is centered around the HPA axis, which regulates hormones, especially the stress hormone called cortisol. For the initial stage, the amygdala perceives danger, and the hypothalamus activates the sympathetic nervous system. Then, adrenal glands release a hormone called epinephrine. As a result, the pulse rate increases, senses become sharper, and blood pressure goes up. If the brain continuously perceives danger, the HPA axis, consisting of hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands, releases cortisol. Due to this change, the body stays aroused and amped up before the cortisol level falls.

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Stress motivates us to perform daily activities, but there exists many negative impacts when it comes to chronic stress. Such examples might be anxiety disorders, and memory loss. Prolonged stress causes the increase in CRF(corticotropin releasing factor) level, resulting in anxiety-like behaviors, or even anxiety disorders. Also, memory loss is a common consequence of chronic stress. Persistent stress is known to contribute to the loss of synaptic connections and neural networks in the limbic system. Therefore, appropriate treatment of stress is very crucial to our health. Pharmacological approaches include Benzodiazepines or 5-HT1A receptor agonists.

However, there are also effective non-pharmacological approaches such as exercising and meditation.

Stress is an inevitable part of our life. Without stress, we can’t perform daily activities to the level we are required to. Nevertheless, chronic stress has deleterious effects on our mind and body in diverse ways. Neither the excessive stress nor lack of stress is helpful to our life.

However, numerous people suffer from persistent stress these days. Even if you do all of the things you could do, sometimes stress doesn’t disappear no matter what. In those cases, pharmacological treatments might also be an appropriate solution. In this perspective, understanding stress from a neurological perspective might further enhance your perception of the neurological effects of chronic stress and the various pharmacological treatments for stress!

June 3, 2024 / Hosung Bae / baehosung06@gmail.com

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AUTISM, ADHD AND ITS UNDERLYING CAUSES HARSHITA YANGALASETTY

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n the sector of brain health, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD are situations that substantially affect how a person grows and learns from a completely younger age. Autism and ADHD are common neurological conditions that could extensively affect a person's existence.

According to records, about 1 in 6 of youngsters early from three–to 17-year-olds were diagnosed with a developmental disability, as said by using dad and mom, at some point in an examination period of 2009 to 2017. Understanding those problems early is essential as it can assist in manipulating or decreasing the influences effectively.

UNDERSTANDING AUTISM & ADHD Having autism often means having trouble with situations demanding social skills, conversation, and conduct. People with autism frequently have difficulty interacting socially and may not speak easily like others do. They may have repetitive behaviors and display unusual responses to certain senses including lighting, noises, and textures. These are the types of autism: Classic Autism, extra excessive with clear symptoms early; Asperger's Syndrome, milder symptoms and higher functional skills; and PDD-NOS, which don't fully meet the standards for other sorts but show giant autistic behaviors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that autism impacts approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States, highlighting its incidence and underscoring the significance of support and knowledge for the ones affected.

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ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by problems with consciousness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness which can affect faculty, paintings, and social life. There are several types of ADHD: predominantly inattentive presentation, characterized by attention problems; predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation, marked by excess movement and impulsive behaviors; and combined presentation, which includes both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.

Autism and ADHD are diagnosed with the use of the DSM-five, a book that doctors use to discover intellectual fitness problems. Early signs of autism include delayed speech and repetitive behaviors. ADHD often presents as excessive energy and difficulty paying attention from a young age. Both are caused by a mixture of genetics and the environment, making them complicated.

Sometimes, a person might display signs and symptoms of both autism and ADHD, which may make it hard for medical doctors to parent out. Research is continually occurring and helps us study greater about those situations and a way to deal with them. Knowing the symptoms and causes of autism and ADHD is important for spotting them early. An early and correct prognosis can assist in improving someone's life. With ongoing research and more human beings understanding of these issues, there is hope for better treatments and aid for humans with autism and ADHD.

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June 2, 2024 / R. Harshita Yangalasetty / raja.h2019@yahoo.com

NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES :THEIR BASIC CAUSES AND PREVENTION ETHAN KIM

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.8 million per year, according to the World Health Organization, is the approximate number of people who pass away from neurological disorders. Quite concerning, no?

That number is nearly equivalent to the deaths caused by air pollution. To understand the causes and prevent neurological disorders, we must ascertain the basics of them.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS Neurological disorders can arise from a variety of factors. Among a wide range of causes, genetic inheritance and environmental exposures are the two most notable factors. Inherited from one’s parents, the mutation of genetic information and gene-environmental interactions play a significant role in developing such conditions. Huntington's disease, for instance, occurs when mutation happens in the HTT gene, resulting in undeveloped nerve cells.

However, unlike genetic disorders, environmental exposures are not inherited. They originate from exposures experienced by individuals throughout their life. Toxins, when entered in one's body, causes cellular dysfunction, impairs organs, and provokes neurological damages, leading to fatal health consequences. For instance, lead, a naturally occurring heavy metal which has been used by humans throughout human history, can be extremely toxic to animals, including humans.

It accumulates in our bones, blood, and soft tissues, causing neurological disorders such as the wellknown ADHD.

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PREVENTION AND AVOIDANCE Unfortunately, genetic factors are practically incurable. However, it is worth understanding the essence of it to slow progression and even anticipate when it could occur. Also, since genetic information is descended down to childs, by analyzing the family tree, one can predict and prepare for their child's future health care. On the other hand, environmental exposures may be prevented relatively easily by avoiding toxins. The previously mentioned toxin, lead, is prevalent and essentially everywhere: minerals, rocks, and soil. In order to prevent lead from excessively accumulating in our bodies, we can avoid lead-using products and take regular tests on lead level. Since the hazardousness of lead has only been recently discovered, a lot of old products include the usage of lead. The simple act of avoiding such products could definitely reduce lead consumption. Also regular testing of lead can help. Although having tests of lead isn’t a method directly reducing lead exposure, being aware is essential in making actions. The tests could provide you with motives and evidence to change your current lifestyle, ultimately veering away from neurological disorders.

In order to acknowledge and treat neurological disorders in a more prepared manner, we must understand their essential reasons why they occur and how to prevent them as “potential patients”. Over ⅓ people in the world are affected by such disorders–Let it sink in, over 33%.

After all, it might not be as daunting as it may seem to view ourselves as potential patients.

June 3, 2024 / Ethan SeungHyun Kim / kshkim0128@gmail.com

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SLEEP DISORDER NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES DANIEL LIM

I

WHAT IS SLEEP AND WHY DO WE SLEEP?

t is a state in which an animal rests its body and mind for a certain period, remaining unconscious. While t plays an crucial role in enhancing our learning, memory, and overall health, during this period work of our muscle/stimuli (response organs) are significantly decreased. In a biological perspective, it is composed of 4 steps (N1, N2, N3, and REM).Sleep supports physiological processes (restoration, immune function, etc…) and plays an vital role in psychological behavior which includes emotional regulation.

WHAT ARE SLEEP DISORDERS? Sleeping disorders are conditions that disrupt the quality (including sleep cycles and frequency of waking) and duration of sleep, leading to difficulties in daytime performance. Most of the sleep disorders lead to lack of sleep, which not only impairs the body but also causes psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression. One example of sleep disorder is insomnia, which involves difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.

SLEEP DISORDER IN WORLD’S PERSPECTIVE Approximately 45% of the world’s population suffers from sleep problems that threaten their health and quality of life. According to the Philips Global Sleep Survey (2019), 62% of adults worldwide report not sleeping as well as they would like, and 67% experience sleep disturbances at least once every night. While a pandemic is typically defined as a disease outbreak that spreads across countries or continents, sleep disorders, despite their vast scale, are often overlooked compared to other pandemics of the past.

SLEEP DISORDER IN KOREA (SHIFT WORK DISORDER) Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder that can affect people who work nontraditional hours. It causes issues with falling asleep, staying asleep and sleepiness at unwanted times. Due to late working hours for a large working-age population and a culture of studying late into the night driven by academic competition, Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD) has become common in South Korea. The high consumption of caffeinated drinks like coffee highlights the seriousness of this issue.

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INHERITANCE OF SLEEP DISORDER A family history of insomnia or other sleep disorders is a significant genetic factor that can contribute to sleep disorders. Studies suggest that genetics could account for 31 to 58 percent of an individual's susceptibility to insomnia. According to the Sleep Foundation, certain genes may increase the risk of insomnia, with women being more susceptible than men due to genetic factors.For example, genetic variations in the circadian "CLOCK" gene have been linked to a higher likelihood of developing insomnia by affecting the regulation of the body's internal clock.

POSSIBLE RESOLUTIONS OF SLEEP DISORDER There are both medical and psychological treatments for sleep disorders. Medical treatments include sleeping pills, melatonin supplements, and medications for underlying health issues such as breathing problems, allergies, or colds. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is an example of a psychological treatment. CBT-I involves collecting information about the patient’s lifestyle and altering both unhelpful thoughts about sleep and pre-sleep habits by addressing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors together.

FINAL THOUGHTS Consistent research on improving the quality of human sleep with the assistance of developed technology (AI) is increasing as the importance of sleep is recognized worldwide. To improve the health of the global population, it is essential to address sleep disorders. We hope to see a future where everyone maintains standardized daily routines, free from sleep disorders and other diseases.

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June 9, 2024 / Jun Seo Lim / ziandney@gamil.com

BRIDGING MINDS AND MACHINES: BRAIN-COMPUTER INTERFACES EXPLORING THE TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL AND ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF NEURAL CONNECTIONS AUDREY CHOI

B

rain-Computer Interface (BCI) is a type of innovative technology that has recently received great recognition in the field of science and technology. BCIs aid communication between the brain and various machines such as computers. Some real-life applications of BCIs include medical applications, such as predicting and detecting seizures in epilepsy patients, improving memory through targeted exercises for patients with neurodegenerative diseases, and collecting data for research on human behavior. Additionally, BCIs are sometimes used for military defense when devices such as drones need to be controlled remotely and in combat scenarios where rapid decision-making is necessary. When the user generates signals with intention, a trained BCI is able to decode those signals and translate them into commands for an output machine or device. Using a BCI eliminates the need for users to have voluntary control of their muscles to interact with devices around them.

The first applications of BCIs were created with the purpose of aiding people with lockedin syndrome, those who have lost the ability to control their muscles used to communicate.

Locked-in syndrome can be a result of longterm neurodegenerative brain diseases, and affected individuals are generally still cognitively aware. Their thoughts and feelings are unaffected, but they have no way of sharing them with the world, which is why BCIs were invented to help these people.

However, while original BCIs were designed for locked-in individuals, their values to help with other degrees of physical impairment were quickly recognized. Researchers began to recognize how BCIs could be implemented to replace, restore, or supplement muscle control for people with physical disabilities.

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So, how do BCIs operate? Well, there are three steps to the brain-computer interface: collecting signals, interpreting the signals, and outputting commands to a machine based on the signals.

The first step is signal acquisition. Brain-computer interfaces measure brain signals using a particular sensor modality that are then transmitted to a computer. The way signals are collected may differ depending on the type of BCI. For example, non-invasive BCIs place the sensor on the scalp, measuring electrical potentials produced by the brain using electroencephalography (EEG) signals. On the other hand, semi-invasive BCIs place the electrodes on an exposed surface of the brain while invasive BCIs directly place the electrode onto the brain cortex. Most often, non-invasive BCIs are used because they have the least potential risks.

The next step is feature extraction. The BCI analyzes the signals, distinguishing pertinent signal characteristics, which should be correlated with the intent or need of the user. This step usually represents signals in a compact form, translating the signals for the next step, allowing the signals to be understood by the machine.

The algorithm converts the features into commands for the machine or device, frequently a computer, and this should be dynamic in order to accommodate in cases of abrupt changes in the signal features.

The final step is the device output. Commands from the previous step, regarding the feature transition algorithm, operate on an external machine. This provides functions and operation outputs feedback for the user, therefore closing the control loop.

Currently, BCIs are changing human interaction with technology, offering new possibilities for healthcare and communication. They are especially important for patients with disabilities, as BCIs provide patients with a way to interact with their environment. However, some ethical challenges remain and scientists and researchers must keep these in mind.

June 9, 2024 / Audrey Choi / audreychoiyj@gmail.com

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Publication: Synthify Editor: Hajin Ra, Jinsun Yoo, Eunha Jeon, Philip Jeon, Haelim Hahn, Jiyeon Park, Gabeen Ko, Ayeon Cho, Lucy Jang, Rachel Cho, Dominic Hahm, Jian Hong, Colin Chung, David Jin, Jason Hwang Writer: Yewon Park, Woojin Chung, Takato Ikeda, Seoyoon Won, Rhianna Kim, Joseph Lim, John Bhang, Jieun Park, Hosung Bae, Harshita Yangalasetty, Ethan Kim, Daniel Lim, Audrey Choi

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“The cause-effect sequences in our brain is just as determining, just as inescapable as anywhere else in nature” -Corliss Lamont