Jihyun Baek

OBJECTIVE: Tremor occurs frequently as a side-effect of lithium, and it is, however, easily overlooked in the clinical setting. In this article, we attempt to review the pathophysiology and the clinical approach of lithium tremor. METHOD: We searched the Pubmed and Cochrane Library for relevant articles up to the year 2012. Sixty-four articles including 10 review papers, 3 clinical trials, and 12 case reports were reviewed. RESULTS: Lithium tremor is classified as a postural tremor and subcatego

Sleep-wake cycle disruption and seasonal variation in mood and behavior have been associated with mood disorders. This study aimed to investigate the lifetime characteristics of the sleep-wake cycle and its association with the lifetime characteristics of seasonality in individuals with bipolar disorder. Circadian preference, regularity of bed-rise time, and seasonality were evaluated on a lifetime basis using the Composite Scale of Morningness, the Sleep Timing Questionnaire, and the Seasonal P

<b>Introduction:</b> Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a rapidly increasing mental health problem that requires more clinical attention. In this study, we aimed to explore the biobehavioral markers of NSSI in participants with mood disorders. <b>Methods:</b> A total of 45 participants with mood disorders (bipolar I, II, and major depressive disorder) were included in the study. Behavioral impulsivity was measured using the immediate memory task (IMT)/delayed memory task (DMT) and the go-no-go (

This study investigates the clinical nature, prevalence rates, and associated factors of second-generation antipsychotic (SGA)-related tardive dyskinesia and tardive dystonia. To date, these subjects have not been thoroughly investigated.The subjects were 80 non-elderly schizophrenic patients who received SGAs for more than 1 year without any previous exposure to first-generation antipsychotics. Multiple (≥2) direct assessments of movement symptoms were performed. Hospital records longer than 1

OBJECTIVES: Patients with bipolar disorder frequently continue to experience residual anxiety and insomnia between mood episodes. In real-world practice, patients increasingly self-prescribe alternative medicines. METHODS: We reviewed case reports, open-label, and placebo-controlled trials investigating the use of herbal medicines to treat anxiety and insomnia, and discussed their potential applications for bipolar disorder. RESULTS: Eleven herbal medicines that have been studied in human subjec

Korean Red Ginseng might help to stabilize the sympathetic nervous system and improve cognition in individuals with high stress.

This study aimed to investigate the overall prescription pattern for patients with bipolar disorders in Korea and its relevance to the practice guidelines. Prescription records from all patients with bipolar I and II disorders who have been admitted or who started the outpatient treatment during the year of 2009 in 10 academic setting hospitals were reviewed. A total of 1447 patients with bipolar I and II disorders were included in this study. Longitudinal prescription patterns of inpatients and

OBJECTIVE: Folate is one of the most widely used nutraceuticals for the treatment of mood disorders. In this article, we review folate metabolism, its relationship with bipolar disorder, and its therapeutic potential. METHODS: We searched PubMed and the Cochrane Library for relevant articles up to and including the year 2012. Background information, proposed mechanisms of action, and results from clinical trials were reviewed. RESULTS: Folate is an essential cofactor involved in methylation reac

This study showed that anxious depression had a decreased basophil subfraction, which might be associated with involvement of inflammation in development of anxious depression.

UM is an infrequent but clinically distinct subtype of bipolar I disorder. Further research delineating the characteristics of UM is warranted.