Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has psychological effects such as anxiety and depression as well as direct infection in people. The Fear of COVID-19 scale is a scale that can measure anxiety related to COVID-19 in a short time. The purpose of this study was to verify the reliability and validity the Korean version of Fear of COVID-19 scale (KF-COVID-19S).Methods The data of total 186 normal adults and 17 patients were finally used for the statistical analysis. For internal consistency, Cronbach’s α was calculated. For concurrent and discriminant validity, the correlations with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS), Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument Brief Form (WHOQOLBREF) were analyzed. For construct validity, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted.Results Cronbach alpha was 0.88. The two-factor model (factor 1: Physical fear, factor 2: Emotional fear) showed significantly positive correlations and appeared to be “good” fitness (CFI=0.906, IFI=0.907, NFI=0.902).Conclusion The KF-COVID-19S can be a useful scale that can measure the physical and emotional fears associated with COVID-19 in a short time. Because the psychiatric patients are a more vulnerable group to the fear, it is thought that the KF-COVID-19S will help to determine the patient’s level of anxiety and make a therapeutic plan for the underlying mental disorder.

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the psychosocial characteristics of the employees working at a university hospital and investigated the factors affecting their quality of life (QOL) under COVID-19.Methods This study enrolled 1,191 healthcare workers from a university hospital, including doctors, nurses, administrative officer and technicians. Besides demographic information, depression, anxiety, somatization, insomnia, resilience, and QOL were assessed.Results The nurses presented significantly higher scores for anxiety, depression and showed significantly higher insomnia scores and significantly lower resilience scores. The occupations showed significant differences in the QOL and sub-groups, including the overall quality of life and general health (F=4.774, p<0.001), psychological domain (F=6.230, p<0.001), and environment domain (F=5.254, p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between the QOL and resilience (r=0.608, p<0.01). However, depression (r=-0.502, p<0.01), anxiety (r=-0.425, p<0.01), somatization (r=-0.364, p<0.01), and insomnia (r=-0.385, p<0.01) showed negative correlations with the QOL. Resilience was the most important factor influencing the QOL.Conclusion The results of this study showed that low resilience adversely affected the QOL and the mental health of the healthcare workers, which consequently had a direct effect on the quality of medical care given to patients.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, is characterized by the presence of beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaques, tau hyperphosphorylation, and cognitive decline. Despite advancements in Aβ-targeting therapies, the multifaceted nature of AD underscores the need for complementary treatments. Panax ginseng, renowned for its cognitive-enhancing properties, has demonstrated potential in addressing AD pathology. This review systematically explores the therapeutic potential of P. ginseng and its bioactive ginsenosides, focusing on their effects on Aβ, tau proteins, and cognitive function. We summarize the findings from preclinical and clinical studies, highlighting neuroprotective mechanisms, such as the inhibition of Aβ production, enhanced Aβ clearance, and suppression of tau hyperphosphorylation. Research on P. ginseng and its bioactive ginsenosides has shown potential for improving cognitive function in AD models. Clinical studies further suggest its cognitive benefits in mild cognitive impairment, subjective memory impairment, and as adjunctive therapy in AD, with particularly pronounced effects in individuals lacking apolipoprotein ε4 allele. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the potential of P. ginseng as both a therapeutic and preventive agent for AD, highlighting the scientific basis for further exploration of P. ginseng-derived compounds to optimize their efficacy and clinical application.

Background: Metformin has been proposed to have neuroprotective benefits, but its effects on AD-related brain changes remain unclear and may be influenced by apolipoprotein E ε4 ( APOE4 ) genotype, a major genetic risk factor for AD. Objective: To examine the association between metformin use and in vivo AD pathologies and to evaluate whether APOE4 status moderates these associations in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This cross-sectional study used baseline data from 76 non-demented older adults with T2DM (aged 55–90 years), who were enrolled in the Korean Brain Aging Study for Early Diagnosis and Prediction of Alzheimer's Disease (KBASE). The participants underwent comprehensive clinical and neuropsychological assessment and multimodal neuroimaging, including global amyloid- β (Aβ) retention ([ ¹¹ C] PiB-PET), inferior temporal tau deposition ([ ¹⁸ F] AV-1451 PET), AD-signature cortical thickness (AD-CT), and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume. Global cognition was assessed using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) neuropsychological battery. Results: Among 76 participants, 55 (72%) were metformin users and 21 (28%) were non-users. Metformin use was significantly associated with greater AD-CT, but not with Aβ, tau, or WMH volume. A significant interaction between metformin use and APOE4 status was observed with respect to AD-CT. In APOE4 -stratified analyses, metformin use was significantly associated with greater AD-CT and better global cognition among APOE4 non-carriers, but not among carriers. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that metformin use is associated with greater AD-CT—independently of amyloid or tau pathology—particularly among APOE4 non-carriers, and this structural preservation is accompanied by better cognitive outcomes.

Gihwan Byeon, Min Soo Byun, Dahyun Yi, Hyejin Ahn, Gijung Jung, Bo Kyung Sohn, Joon Hyung Jung, Yoon Young Chang, Kyungtae Kim, Hyeji Choi, Yoon Hee Kim, Yu Kyeong Kim, Koung Mi Kang, Chul-Ho Sohn, Dong Young Lee; for the KBASE Research Group. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci 2025;23:256-65. https://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.24.1238

This study examined the relationships between mid-arm circumference (MAC) and calf circumference (CC) with cognitive performance, considering the moderating effect of apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (APOE4) status. Data from 196 older adults (65–90 years) in the General Lifestyle and AD (GLAD) study were analyzed. Cognitive performance was assessed using the CERAD neuropsychological battery, with episodic memory score (EMS) and non-memory score (NMS) as primary outcomes. Multiple linear regression analyses examined associations between MAC, CC, and waist circumference (WC) with cognition, adjusting for key covariates. Interaction effects with APOE4 status were also explored. Higher MAC (or MAC/WC) significantly correlated with better EMS, while higher CC (or CC/WC) correlated with better NMS, even after Bonferroni correction (P_B < 0.0125). These associations were stronger in APOE4-negative individuals but not significant in APOE4-positive participants. WC was not associated with cognitive measures. The results suggest that Upper- and lower-limb musculature may play distinct roles in cognitive function, with MAC linked to episodic memory and CC to non-memory cognition, particularly in APOE4-negative individuals. These findings highlight the potential of muscle health maintenance as a strategy for preserving cognitive function in aging populations.