[Gender characteristics of depressive disorders: clinical, psychological, neurobiological and translational aspects]. / Gendernye osobennosti depressivnykh rasstroistv: kliniko-psikhologicheskie, neirobiologicheskie i translyatsionnye aspekty.

Various studies have indicated that the prevalence of depression is almost twice as high among women as among men. A major factor associated with the development of depression and other affective disorders are adverse and psychologically traumatic life events that contribute to changes in the neuroendocrine system, altering the capacity to adapt to stress. These changes are involved in the pathogenesis of mental disorders, along with genetic and other factors, and are to a significant degree regulated by gender dependent mechanisms. While women have a high prevalence of depressive disorders, men show a higher rate of alcohol and substance abuse. These differences in the epidemiology are most likely explained by different predisposition to mental disorders in men and women and a diversity of biological consequences to adverse life events. Taking this into account, there is a need for a critical review of currently used approaches to modeling depressive disorders in preclinical studies, including the use of animals of both sexes. Adaptation of experimental models and protocols taking into account gender characteristics of neuroendocrine changes in response to stress, as well as structural-morphological, electrophysiological, molecular, genetic and epigenetic features, will significantly increase the translational validity of experimental work.

Validity and reliability of the Russian version of the revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to elaborate a valid and reliable Russian version of the ALSFRS-R. METHODS: Russian adaptation of the ALSFRS-R was applied twice in 50 ALS patients followed by the test-retest analysis with a 7-day interval between applications and internal consistency analysis. RESULTS: Test-retest analysis showed very strong correlation for all of the ALSFRS-R variables. The intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.83. CONCLUSION: The elaborated Russian version of the ALSFRS-R has shown to be comparable with the original English version of the scale.

[Modern ideas about the relationship between fibromyalgia and mental disorders]. / Sovremennye predstavleniya o sootnoshenii fibromialgii i psikhicheskikh rasstroistv.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a pain syndrome with a high burden and an understudied etiology and pathogenesis. There is now considerable evidence that FM has a strong bidirectional relationship with psychiatric disorders and is associated with certain personality traits that contribute to the severity of key somatic symptoms and affect overall prognosis. In this article, the authors present data from recent epidemiological and neurobiological studies, discuss the multilevel relationship between FM and psychiatric disorders, and briefly review approaches to the treatment of co-morbid conditions.

[Risk factors for de novo generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients with supratentorial meningiomas after neurosurgical treatment]. / Faktory riska razvitiya generalizovannykh toniko-klonicheskikh epilepticheskikh pristupov de novo u patsientov s supratentorial'nymi meningiomami posle neirokhirurgicheskogo lecheniya.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for de novo epileptic seizures in the early postoperative period in patients with supratentorial meningiomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted in a ratio of 3 to 1. The case histories of all patients with supratentorial meningiomas that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, who underwent surgical removal of the neoplasm in 01.01.17 to 12.31.20, were studied in the neurosurgical department of the Research Institute of Emergency Medicine named after N.V. Sklifosovsky. Of 133 patients without epileptic seizures and a history of taking antiepileptic drugs before surgery, 10% (n=14) had a de novo generalized tonic-clonic seizure in the early postoperative period. Among the remaining 119 patients, 42 patients were selected to form the control group, similar in age, localization and volume of the tumor with patients in the main group. In all patients, the clinical condition, the results of preoperative and postoperative neuroimaging with contrast enhancement, the course of the intraoperative period, as well as the duration and outcomes of hospitalization were assessed. RESULTS: The risk factors for the development of de novo seizures were an increase in the volume of cerebral edema compared with the preoperative one according to postoperative CT data and the development of hemorrhagic transformation of cerebral edema. CONCLUSION: A prospective study is needed to determine risk factors for de novo seizures and determine prophylactic treatment.

[Structural brain changes in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and comorbid depression]. / Strukturnye izmeneniya golovnogo mozga u patsientov s visochnoi epilepsiei i komorbidnoi depressiei.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the morphological features of the brain structures in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and comorbid depression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2020, we studied 80 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (aged 18-60 years, 38 of whom had comorbid depression) and 48 healthy subjects of comparable age. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was performed using the epilepsy protocol in a scanner with a magnetic field strength of 1.5 T. Focal temporal lobe epilepsy was diagnosed by neurologists (epileptologists) specialising in epilepsy according to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification of epilepsy. Psychiatrists assessed the presence and severity of depressive disorders by clinical interview and by participants' scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). MRI data were processed using FreeSurfer 6.0 software to determine volumes of subcortical structures and thicknesses of cortical structures. At the group level, analysis of covariance with Holm-Bonferroni correction was used as the statistical method. RESULTS: Morphometric analysis revealed a significant decrease in the volume of the thalamus bilaterally and the brain stem and an increase in the volume of the choroid plexus in the left hemisphere, as well as a significant decrease in the thickness of the entorhinal cortex, temporal pole and isthmus of the cingulate gyrus in the left hemisphere and middle temporal gyrus and inferior temporal gyrus in the right hemisphere in patients with epilepsy compared to healthy controls. No association was found between the presence of depression and significant structural changes on MRI. CONCLUSION: The data obtained suggest an effect of temporal lobe epilepsy, but not comorbid depression, on the morphology of brain structures.

[Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures in autistic spectrum disorder]. / Psikhogennye neepilepticheskie pristupy pri rasstroistve autisticheskogo spektra.

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are paroxysmal conditions that resemble epileptic seizures, but are not accompanied by epileptiform activity on the electroencephalogram and are not associated with other neurological or somatic disorders. Unrecognized PNES places a heavy burden on the patient and family, and on the health care system. Among many possible combinations of PNES with psychiatric disorders, autistic spectrum disorders are the least studied. This article presents a case of a 19-year-old female patient with autistic spectrum disorder and paroxysmal events and the presence of potentially epileptogenic changes in the brain. A multidisciplinary approach made it possible to diagnose PNEP in the patient.

[Olfactory disorders as a multidisciplinary problem]. / Rasstroistva obonyaniya ­ mezhdistsiplinarnaya problema.

Olfactory dysfunction is a serious symptom that requires careful differential diagnosis. The article presents convincing evidence that dysosmia is not only a symptom of rinological pathology, but also a manifestation of various neurodegenerative diseases. Some patients with SARS-CoV-2 have neurological symptoms. Modern studies show that olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions are significant symptoms in the clinical presentation of the COVID-19 infection. The importance of olfactory diagnostics in relatives of patients with hereditary neurodegenerative diseases for the purpose of early detection of pathology is noted. We consider the possibility of introducing new methods for the diagnosis of olfactory dysfunction, which is a promising task both in the field of neurology and otorhinolaryngology, in order to prevent the development of neurodegenerative diseases at an early stage, improve the quality of life and social adaptation of patients.

[Nonsuicidal self-injury in eating disorders]. / Nesuitsidal'nye samopovrezhdeniya pri rasstroistvakh pishchevogo povedeniya.

This review addresses the prevalence and mutual influence of non-suicidal self-injurious behavior (NSSI) and eating disorders (ED). The data on the role of demographic, social, biological and psychological variables in the formation of ED and NSSI comorbidity is presented. The authors analyze the influence of NSSI on the course of ED, as well as prognostic values of their combination. The problems of the choice of therapeutic tactics are also highlighted.

[Transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of depressive disorder in Parkinson's disease]. / Primenenie transkranial'noi magnitnoi stimulyatsii v lechenii depressivnogo rasstroistva pri bolezni Parkinsona.

The prevalence of affective disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is significantly higher than in the general population of people of the same age. It is known that the effectiveness of antidepressants in PD with depressive disorder is lower than in patients with primary depression. For depression resistant to standard treatments, other therapeutic strategies are available. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is one of the most popular and safe brain stimulation methods that has been successfully used to treat primary depression. The accumulation of experience in the use of TMS has made it possible to expand the application of the method to other diseases, including PD. The article provides literature data on the use of different TMS protocols for the treatment of depressive disorder in patients with PD.

[Current concepts about autonomic dysfunction in patients with epilepsy]. / Sovremennye predstavleniya o vegetativnoi disfunktsii u patsientov s epilepsiei.

Autonomic dysfunction is frequently observed in people with epilepsy. Ictal and postictal dysautonomia is not only manifestation of autonomic seizures, but could be a life threatening condition in some cases and contribute to sudden unexpected death (SUDEP). Interictal decrease of autonomic activity is associated with duration and severity of epilepsy, it is the most prominent in focal and drug-resistant epilepsy. Progress in our understanding of the underlying mechanisms, development of the autonomic assessment methods, and its integration in novel technical solutions for seizure detection will improve the quality of care for people with epilepsy.

[Comorbidity of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures with mental disorders]. / Komorbidnost' psikhogennykh neepilepticheskikh pristupov s psikhicheskimi rasstroistvami.

The present review discusses the comorbidity of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) with other mental disorders. Data on the prevalence of mood, anxiety, psychotic and personality disorders are presented. The role of traumatic experience in the development of PNES is described. Special attention is given to PNES as an independent nosological entity and its place in the modern classifications of mental disorders.

Transcranial direct current stimulation of the premotor cortex aimed to improve hand motor function in chronic stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of single-session premotor and primary motor tDCS in chronic stroke patients with relation to possible inter-hemispheric interactions. METHODS: Anodal tDCS of either M1 or premotor cortex of the side contralateral to the paretic hand, cathodal tDCS of the premotor cortex of the side ipsilateral to the paretic hand and sham stimulation were performed in 12 chronic stroke patients with mild hand paresis in a balanced cross-over design. The Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function test, evaluating the time required for performance of everyday motor tasks, was employed. RESULTS: The repeated-measure ANOVA with Greenhouse-Geisser correction showed significant influence of the stimulation type (factor SESSION; F(2.6, 28.4) = 47.3, p < 0.001), the test performance time relative to stimulation (during or after tDCS; factor TIME, F(1.0, 11.0) = 234.5, p < 0.001) with higher effect after the stimulation and the interaction SESSION*TIME (F(1.7, 1.2) = 30.5, p < 0.001). All active conditions were effective for the modulation of JTT performance, though the highest effect was observed after anodal tDCS of M1, followed by effects after anodal stimulation of the premotor cortex contralateral to the paretic hand. Based on the correlation patterns, the inhibitory input to M1 from premotor cortex of another hemisphere and an excitatory input from the ipsilesional premotor cortex were suggested. CONCLUSION: The premotor cortex is a promising candidate area for transcranial non-invasive stimulation of chronic stroke patients.

[Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis]. / Ostryi rasseyannyi entsefalomielit.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (AEM) is an immune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), usually single-phase. In WREM, multiple lesions of the central nervous system of an inflammatory-demyelinating nature accompanied by extremely polymorphic neurological disorders develop acutely or subacutely. The review considers the issues of epidemiology, trigger factors of the inflammatory process, clinical manifestations, differential and molecular diagnostics of WECM, and outlines the ways for further study of this pathology.

[Psychometric properties of the Russian version of the brief «Reasons for Living Inventory¼]. / Psikhometricheskie svoistva russkoyazychnoi versii «Kratkogo oprosnika prichin dlya zhizni¼.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate psychometric properties of the Russian version of the brief Reasons for Living Inventory (bRFL) in patients with non-psychotic mental disorders (NPMD) and to define its association with current suicide ideation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six hundred and 15 consecutive patients with NPMD were included. The median age was 27 (19) years; 403 (65.5%) were female. Cronbach's alpha, Cronbach's alpha coefficient if an item is deleted and corrected item-total correlation were used for the internal consistency evaluation. The internal structure assessment was based on the exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. To identify an association of bRFL with current suicidal ideation, MANCOVA was used. RESULTS: An internal consistency of bRFL was good (Cronbach's Alpha-0.856). The exploratory factor analysis revealed a 6-factor model, explaining 80.22% of variance. These factors were: «survival and coping beliefs¼, «responsibility to family¼, «child related concerns¼, «fear of suicide¼, «fear of social disapproval¼ and «moral objections¼. The confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good agreement of the 6-factor model with an empirical data (CMIN/DF - 2.98, CFI - 0.956, SRMR - 0.05, RMSEA - 0.057, PNFI - 0.497). Regardless of gender and age, the total scores of bRFL and its subscales were significantly lower in patients with suicide ideation (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The Russian version of bRFL is a reliable and valid tool for the assessment of the adaptive beliefs and expectations that form an anti-suicidal barrier.

Epilepsy and COVID-19: Management of Patients and Optimization of Antiepileptic Treatment in the Pandemic.

There are as yet no data pointing to any increase in the incidence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) or a more severe course of illness in patients with epilepsy. However, considering the high prevalence of epilepsy in patients over 60 years of age, the high comorbidity of epilepsy and a whole series of somatic diseases, and the need to maintain the opportunity for constant access to antiepileptic medications and follow-up of epilepsy patients, we can expect a whole set of difficulties in the management of these patients in the conditions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This article addresses the main principles of the management of epilepsy patients in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic: the need to follow regimes; preservation of regular and continuous taking of antiepileptic drugs, including consideration of interdrug interactions; and switching patients to i.v. forms of antiepileptic drugs where necessary.

[Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures]. / Psikhogennye neepilepticheskie pristupy.

The review provides epidemiological data and discuss the associated burden of non-epileptic seizures (PNES). Data on the prevalence, socio-demographic and clinical risk factors for the development of PNES are presented. The hypotheses of the PNES origin, including the contribution of psychological trauma, are considered. We also describe contemporary methods for differential diagnosis of epileptic seizures and PNES, including biomarkers and the use of diagnostic questionnaires. Special attention is given to the issues of the psychiatric comorbidity of PNES.

[Long-term EEG monitoring in patients with acute traumatic brain injury]. / Dlitel'noe monitorirovanie elektroentsefalogrammy u bol'nykh s tyazheloi cherepno-mozgovoi travmoi.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the informativeness of long-term scalp EEG monitoring in patients with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The informativity of long-term EEG monitoring (LTM) was performed in 60 patients with acute severe TBI. Odd ratios (OR) of unfavorable outcome and non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) among clinical, neurophysiological and radiological features were calculated. RESULTS: EEG features of the unfavorable outcome are: slowing of the dominant background rhythm below q range (OR 3.5, CI 1.2-10.7), absence of frontal-occipital gradient (OR 10.2, CI 1.89-10.12), absence of reactivity (OR 8.75, CI 2.14-35.7), absence of variability (OR 6.25, CI 1.72-22.6) and absence of NREM sleep, stage 2 (OR 5.8, CI 1.79-18.91). Clinical features associated with the unfavorable outcome are: a decrease in GCS score (OR 1.25, CI 1.07-1.47), TBI severity (OR 2.46, CI 1.16-5.18), axial dislocation (OR 4.45, CI 1.08-18.29). ORs for NCSE are significant for the following EEG features: presence of rhythmic and periodic patterns (RPP) (OR 11.92, CI 1.37-103.39), stimulus induced RPP (OR 23.14, CI 2.56-209.34), "plus" modifier (OR 4.11, CI 1.13-14.91) and electrographic evolution (OR 13.05, CI 3.59-47.39). Background rhythm slowing below q range reduces NCSE probability (OR 3.33, CI 1.09-10). CONCLUSION: Long-term EEG monitoring is an informative tool for prognosis of outcome and diagnosis of NCSE in patients with severe TBI. The risk of NCSE increases with Marshall score but NCSE is not associated with poor outcome that requires an individual selection of intensive care.

[Epilepsy and COVID-19: patient management and optimization of antiepileptic therapy during pandemic]. / Epilepsiya i COVID-19: vedenie bol'nykh i optimizatsiya protivoepilepticheskoi terapii v usloviyakh pandemii.

There is currently no data on the increased incidence of new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) or on the more severe course of the disease in patients with epilepsy. However, given the high prevalence of epilepsy among patients after age 60, an increased burden of somatic comorbidities among people with epilepsy, as well as the need of continuous access to antiepileptic drugs (AED) and care for patients with epilepsy, there are a number of important concerns in time of regarding the management of epilepsy during COVID-19 pandemic. The article discusses the main principles of epilepsy management during the COVID-19 pandemic: the need to comply with the regime; the importance of AED adherence, taking into account drug-drug interactions; switching patients to intravenous AED forms if necessary.

[Electroencephalography in acute stroke]. / Elektroentsefalografiya v ostrom periode insul'ta.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of non-convulsive status epilepticus, epileptiform activity, rhythmic and periodic patterns in patients with acute stroke. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) in 86 stroke patients in the neurointensive care unit of the tertiary medical center was performed. Criteria for starting EEG recording were epileptic seizures or clinical suspicion of uncontrolled epileptic status. The ictal-interictal continuum biomarkers and the diagnostic value of EEG for prediction of survival and recovery were assessed. RESULTS: Pathological changes on EEG were recorded in 84% of patients. These patients showed the absence of the dominant occipital rhythm (66%) and hemispheric slowing (42%). Diffuse slowing below the theta range was observed in 41% of patients. EEG reactivity was absent in 20%. Sporadic epileptiform discharges were recorded in 36% of patients and rhythmic and periodic patterns in 26%. Reliable predictors of the unfavorable outcome were the absence of dominant occipital rhythm, lack of reactivity, and low amplitude of the background EEG. No association between the recording of epileptiform activity and the probability of death was shown. CONCLUSION: The most useful EEG biomarkers for predicting survival are amplitude, dominant frequency of background EEG activity and reactivity to external stimulus. Sporadic epileptiform discharges, rhythmic, and periodic patterns are not mandatory associated with a negative prognosis in stroke patients.

Effect of tDCS on Fine Motor Control of Patients in Subacute and Chronic Post-Stroke Stages.

In this study we compared the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the subacute and chronic stages of post-stroke recovery. Anodal/sham tDCS was applied to the primary motor cortex of stroke patients in these stages of recovery in a cross-over design. The Jebsen-Taylor hand function test was employed. The repeated-measure ANOVA showed significant influence of the stimulation type and test performance time (during/after tDCS) with no overall influence of recovery stage. The interaction TYPE*TIME*STAGE was significant. The effect after anodal tDCS in the subacute stage was significantly higher compared to the effects in all relevant conditions including the chronic stage. Therefore, tDCS treatment in the subacute stage of recovery can be superior, at least for some patients, to treatment in the chronic stage.