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Kang Won-Seob

Kyung Hee University · Medicine

About the Lab

Professor Kang Won-Seob's research lab focuses on the intersection of neurobiology, psychiatry, and molecular genetics, with a particular emphasis on the gut-brain axis, neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric conditions. The lab investigates how early-life stress and microbial dysbiosis influence neuroinflammation and tryptophan metabolism, while also exploring genetic factors—such as polymorphisms in *MFN2*, *IRS1*, and *IRS2*—that may contribute to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and ASD. Additionally, the lab examines psychological and behavioral factors in chronic inflammatory conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, linking mental health, cognitive distortions, and disease progression.

gut-brain axisneurodevelopmental disordersmicrobiotamental healthgenetic polymorphisms

Research Overview

Papers
93
Total Citations
1,722
Papers (5y)
27
Primary Field
Medicine

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
27total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
41total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|1,160 citations·2018
Psychological impact of the 2015 MERS outbreak on hospital workers and quarantined hemodialysis patients
Sang Min Lee, Won Sub Kang, Ah-Rang Cho, Tae Kim, Jin Kyung Park
SJR Q1Comprehensive PsychiatryOA
Clinical PsychologyPsychology
2
Article|68 citations·2021
Early-Life Stress Modulates Gut Microbiota and Peripheral and Central Inflammation in a Sex-Dependent Manner
Hae Jeong Park, Sang A. Kim, Won Sub Kang, Jong Woo Kim
SJR Q1International Journal of Molecular SciencesOA

Recent studies have reported that changes in gut microbiota composition could induce neuropsychiatric problems. In this study, we investigated alterations in gut microbiota induced by early-life stress (ELS) in rats subjected to maternal separation (MS; 6 h a day, postnatal days (PNDs) 1–21), along with changes in inflammatory cytokines and tryptophan-kynurenine (TRP-KYN) metabolism, and assessed the differences between sexes. High-throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene showed that

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
3
Article|32 citations·2011
Effect of Valproic Acid Through Regulation of NMDA Receptor–ERK Signaling in Sleep Deprivation Rats
Hae Jeong Park, Won Sub Kang, Jong‐Woo Paik, Jong Woo Kim
SJR Q1Journal of Molecular Neuroscience
Developmental NeuroscienceNeuroscience
4
Article|32 citations·2013
REM sleep deprivation increases the expression of interleukin genes in mice hypothalamus
Won Sub Kang, Hae Jeong Park, Joo‐Ho Chung, Jong Woo Kim
SJR Q2Neuroscience Letters
Cognitive NeuroscienceNeuroscience
5
Article|29 citations·2013
Association between genetic polymorphisms of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and schizophrenia in the Korean population
Won Sub Kang, Jin Kyung Park, Sang Min Lee, Su Kang Kim, Hae Jeong Park, Jong-Woo Kim
SJR Q2Gene
Biological PsychiatryNeuroscience
6
Article|27 citations·2017
A pilot study of differential brain activation to suicidal means and DNA methylation of CACNA1C gene in suicidal attempt patients
Young Jong Kim, Hae Jeong Park, Geon‐Ho Jahng, Sang Min Lee, Won Sub Kang, Su Kang Kim, Tae Kim, Ah Rang Cho, Jin Kyung Park
SJR Q1Psychiatry Research
Clinical PsychologyPsychology
7
Article|24 citations·2022
Effect of multimodal intervention care on cachexia in patients with advanced cancer compared to conventional management (MIRACLE): an open-label, parallel, randomized, phase 2 trial
Chi Hoon Maeng, Bo‐Hyung Kim, Jinmann Chon, Won Sub Kang, Kyounglan Kang, Mi-Hye Woo, Il Ki Hong, Jun‐Hee Lee, Kil Yeon Lee
SJR Q2TrialsOA

BACKGROUND: Cancer cachexia (CC) is a multifactorial process characterized by progressive weight loss, muscle mass, and fat tissue wasting, which adversely affects the quality of life and survival of patients with advanced stages of cancer. CC has a complex and multifactorial pathophysiology, and there is no established standard treatment. Therefore, it is often irreversible and a single treatment modality is unlikely to suppress its progression. We are conducting a randomized trial to investiga

PhysiologyMedicine
8
Article|23 citations·2017
Association between Mitofusin 2 Gene Polymorphisms and Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease in the Korean Population
Young Jong Kim, Jin Kyung Park, Won Sub Kang, Su Kang Kim, Changsu Han, Hae Ri Na, Hae Jeong Park, Jong-Woo Kim, Young Youl Kim, Moon Ho Park, Jong‐Woo Paik
SJR Q2Psychiatry InvestigationOA

These results suggest that the rs1042837 polymorphism in <i>MFN2</i> may be involved in the pathogenesis of AD.

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
9
Article|22 citations·2016
Association between IRS1 Gene Polymorphism and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Case-Control Study in Korean Males
Hae Ryoun Park, Su Kyoung Kim, Won Sub Kang, Jin Young Park, Young Kim, Min Nam, Jong‐Won Kim, Joo‐Ho Chung
SJR Q1International Journal of Molecular SciencesOA

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathway is thought to play an important role in brain development. Altered levels of IGFs and their signaling regulators have been shown in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients. In this study, we investigated whether coding region single-nucleotide polymorphisms (cSNPs) of the insulin receptor substrates (IRS1 and IRS2), key mediators of the IGF pathway, were associated with ASD in Korean males. Two cSNPs (rs1801123 of IRS1, and rs4773092 of IRS2) were gen

Cognitive NeuroscienceNeuroscience
10
Article|20 citations·2020
Depression, Anxiety, Related Risk Factors and Cognitive Distortion in Korean Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Jun Song, Jong Woo Kim, Chi Hyuk Oh, Hyo Jong Kim, Chang Kyun Lee, Won Sub Kang
SJR Q2Psychiatry InvestigationOA

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the severity of depression, anxiety, associated risk factors, and cognitive distortion in Korean patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: This study included 369 patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The severity of depression and anxiety was examined using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The Anxious Thoughts and Tendencies scale was used to measure catastrophizing tendency. Multivariate regressi

GeneticsBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
11
Article|20 citations·2019
Differences in Personality, Defense Styles, and Coping Strategies in Individuals with Depressive Disorder According to Age Groups Across the Lifespan
Miae Oh, Jong-Woo Kim, Nan‐He Yoon, Seong Ae Lee, Sang Min Lee, Won Sub Kang
SJR Q2Psychiatry InvestigationOA

In the young age group associations with lower Agreeableness and Conscientiousness, as well as higher Neuroticism than the late middle age group were observed. Moreover, the young age group had a higher usage of immature defense style, and restricted use of problem-focused coping style than other age groups.

Clinical PsychologyPsychology
12
Article|19 citations·2013
Effects of essential oil from Chamaecyparis obtusa on cytokine genes in the hippocampus of maternal separation rats
Hae Jeong Park, Su Kang Kim, Won Sub Kang, Jong‐Min Woo, Jong-Woo Kim
SJR Q3Canadian Journal of Physiology and PharmacologyOA

We investigated the effects of an essential oil from Chamaecyparis obtusa (EOCO) on early life stress, using maternal separation (MS) rats and a microarray method to analyze the changes in gene expressions caused by EOCO in the hippocampus of MS rats. Rats in the MS groups were separated from their respective mothers from postnatal day (pnd) 14 to 28. Rats in the EOCO-treated groups were exposed to EOCO for 1 or 2 h by inhalation from pnd 21 to 28. The EOCO-treated MS rats showed decreased anxie

Behavioral NeuroscienceNeuroscience
13
Article|19 citations·2012
Association of thrombospondin 1 gene with schizophrenia in Korean population
Hae Jeong Park, Su Kang Kim, Jong-Woo Kim, Won Sub Kang, Joo‐Ho Chung
SJR Q2Molecular Biology Reports
PharmacologyMedicine
14
Article|18 citations·2012
Genetic variants of GRIA1 are associated with susceptibility to schizophrenia in Korean population
Won Sub Kang, Jin Kyung Park, Su Kang Kim, Hae‐Jeong Park, Sang Min Lee, Ji Young Song, Joo‐Ho Chung, Jong-Woo Kim
SJR Q2Molecular Biology Reports
Cellular and Molecular NeuroscienceNeuroscience
15
Article|17 citations·2021
Economic burden of eating disorders in South Korea
Sang Min Lee, Minha Hong, Saengryeol Park, Won Sub Kang, In‐Hwan Oh
SJR Q1Journal of Eating DisordersOA

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the epidemiology of eating disorders using national representative data. In this study, we investigated the treatment prevalence and economic burden of eating disorders in South Korea. METHODS: The aim of this study was to estimate the treatment prevalence and the medical expenditure of diagnosed eating disorders (ICD F50.x) in South Korea between 2010 and 2015. We also examined the economic costs of eating disorders, including the direct medical cost, d

Clinical PsychologyPsychology

Research Areas

Clinical PsychologyPsychiatry and Mental healthMolecular BiologyCognitive NeuroscienceGeneticsPhysiology

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