Active and passive behavior of animals during the postresuscitation period.

Behavioral reactions (open-field test, elevated plus-maze, pain stress, and feeding behavior) were studied in various periods after clinical death caused by circulatory arrest for 10 or 15 min. We revealed two different phases of behavioral changes: active behavior directed at attaining a specific goal and passive behavior directed towards isolation of the organism from external signals and functional minimization. Active behavior determined by pathological excitation in the central nervous system increased the severity of structural damage to hippocampal CA1 neurons during the postresuscitation period. By contrast, passive behavior and minimization of functions preserved structural integrity in these neurons.

Mechanism of the effect of postresuscitation changes in the brain on the dynamics of extinction of orientation and exploratory response in rats.

The type of open-field behavior (determined in preliminary tests) was preserved after 10-min circulatory arrest. Postresuscitation changes in the bran modified orientation and exploratory activity under conditions of its partial extinction before clinical death. High behavioral activity of rats in the first open-field session after resuscitation was related to the impairment of memory traces, while that in the follow-up period was associated with the formation of a pathological self-maintaining system between components of orientation and exploratory behavior.

Effect of noopept and afobazole on the development of neurosis of learned helplessness in rats.

We studied the effects of new psychotropic preparations noopept and afobazole on acquisition of the conditioned active avoidance response and development of neurosis of learned helplessness in rats. Noopept in doses of 0.05-0.10 mg/kg accelerated acquisition of conditioned active avoidance response and reduced the incidence of learned helplessness in rats. Afobazole in a dose of 5 mg/kg produced an opposite effect, which is probably related to high selective anxiolytic activity of this preparation.

Theory of functional systems and human general pathology.

We analyze the role of the theory of functional systems for human general pathology and the necessity of integration of this theory with the concepts of pathological and ambivalent systems. Multiple (qualitatively heterogeneous) nature of system-forming factors and principle possibility of the formation of physiological, pathological, and ambivalent systems by the same factors are discussed. These theses broaden the application of the theory of functional systems as the fundamental basis for studies of informational mechanisms of vital activity under normal and pathological conditions.

[Psychosomatic and mental pathology as essential and interrelated parts of general human pathology]. / Psikhosomaticheskaia i psikhicheskaia patologiia kak neobkhodimye i vzaimosviazannye chasti obshchei patologii cheloveka.

The authors suggest extending the list of conventionally studied general pathological processes with psychosomatic and mental variants of pathology. These variants are relatively new in respect to evolution, are characteristic only for man and, in much lesser degree, for higher animals and have gained recognition in the last 50-100 years by defining the modern specificity of the nosological principle in medicine. The analysis of psychosomatic and psychic aspects of diseases may be of key importance for further development of general human pathology as a science.

Neurosis of acquired helplessness and role of hypoxia in the formation of this disorder in rats.

Acquisition of instrumental defense response with pain reinforcement uncertainty (25% reinforcement) induced the development of acquired helplessness in 50% rats. Acquired helplessness is characterized by the absence of responses to conditioned (light) and unconditioned stimuli (pain), minor response of plasma corticosterone to learning, gas markers of circulatory cerebral hypoxia (Delta A/V pO2 carotid artery/jugular vein), low sensitivity to severe hypobaric conditions, and high resistance of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. Piracetam improved learning and prevented the development of acquired helplessness. Local changes in cerebral blood flow and energy deficit in neurons responsible for emotional stress during acquired helplessness impair adaptive capacity, but reduce energy consumption and protect neuronal structures.

Mechanisms of adaptation to flow reactions in rats after systemic blood arrest.

The rats survived 10- or 15-min systemic blood flow arrest were exposed to various extreme factors within the following 2 months. It was found that the processes leading to functional isolation of CNS play a protective role: they moderate behavioral response to acute stress and alleviate the degree of neuron damage induced by long-term stress during acquisition of a complex food-procuring reflex.

[Diseases of civilization and a nosological principle of medicine in terms of general pathology]. / Bolezni tsivilizatsii i nozologicheskii printsip meditsiny s pozitsii obshchei patologii.

The last 100-150 years are marked by the spread of so-called "diseases of civilization" (primarily psychosomatic and mental diseases) which earlier have been encountered rarely. These diseases present quite novel pathogenic factors, adaptation to which in the course of evolution is lacking. Development of civilization constantly stimulates the emergence of numerous qualitatively new pathogenic factors, on the one hand, and changes the conditions for impact of conventional factors, on the other hand. This process is becoming more and more intensive and makes the sequence "cause-specific pathogenesis-clinical symptoms-nosological unity-relevant etiotropic and pathogenetic treatment" less obvious. From this follow difficulties in application of routine methods of diagnosis, etiotropic and pathogenetic therapy based on the nosological principle as well as interest to methods of "alternative' (complementary) medicine which are nonspecific and, therefore, in some cases effective against some "diseases of civilization".

[Evaluation of the role of the adaptive result in the theory of the functional systems]. / Otsenka roli prisposobitel'nogo rezul'tata v teorii funktsional'nykh sistem.

The fundamental of the theory of the functional systems, i.e., the concept of the useful adaptive result as a universal system-forming factor is considered. It is suggested that the adaptive result is not system-forming in behaviors actualized exclusively due to activity of systems developed earlier. It is argued that positive mutations may serve as the system-forming factor for hereditary determined behavioral forms. In all other cases of goal-directed behavior (except conditioning) the aim of performance as a model of the future result plays the decisive role. Only in conditioning the classical concept of the system-forming role of the adaptive result seems to be undeniable. The refined ideas about the mechanisms of formation of the functional systems may be useful in analysis of a number of animal and human functions (learning, emotional stress, neuroses, etc.).

[The theory of functional systems and purposeful behavior]. / Teoriia funktsional'nykh sistem i tselenapravlennoe povedenie.

The role of probability forecasting in the purposive behavior under conditions of subjective uncertainty is considered in terms of the theory of functional systems. Participation of the probability forecasting in the afferent synthesis, goal formation, formation of the acceptor of action result and action program, and, finally, in the action program actualization is substantiated. The model of behavior under conditions of subjective uncertainty is advanced. It includes all the classical elements of the model of behavioral act developed by P.K. Anokhin. In order to take into account the probability aspects of behavior, the role of probability forecasting is emphasized at every stage of the system functioning. In addition to the classical elements, two novel components are introduced. These are the "memory buffer" (results of searching reactions) and the apparatus of probability decisions about changes in the action program. By the memory buffer an apparatus is meant, which gathers and stores the information about the results of many behavioral acts performed during the actualization of the action program. This information is used in the process of making a probability decision as whether to alter or not the action program after each specific behavioral act. Such an approach integrates the probability forecasting and the theory of functional systems. The theory becomes universal, i.e., applicable not only to deterministic but also to probabilistic environments.

Role of volume-conductor properties of muscles in the formation of evoked contractions during stimulating electrical impedance myography.

Experiments on the preparation of frog sartorius muscle showed that electrical impedance myogram of evoked muscle contractions is the sum of electric processes accompanying contraction of some muscle fibers or muscle regions. Inverted muscle response probably results from heterotopic excitation of distant muscle regions under conditions of reduced excitability of muscle fibers adjacent to the electrode. During centrifugal propagation of contractions, especially in altered muscles, the negative wave on the myogram corresponding to impedance decrease is sometimes followed by a positive wave. The possibility for recording of heterotopic contractions indicates that the impedance of the electrode-muscle interface produces no considerable effects on the shape of electrical impedance myogram. These results hold much promise for the diagnostics of neuromuscular diseases.

Effect of early fasciotomy on intramuscular pressure and electrical excitability of muscles in experimental compartment syndrome.

Experiments on rabbits with compartment syndrome of the leg showed that the main pathogenetic factors of muscle injury are postischemic contracture leading to extravascular microcirculatory disorders and tissue necrosis(early postcompression period) and progressive subfascial edema (18 h-4 days). Therapeutic effect of fasciotomy in the early period consists in restoration of bloodflow due to relaxation of contracted muscles and in the late period in decompression of edematous muscles and prevention of secondary ischemia. Fasciotomy through a small section does not lead to sufficient relaxation of rigid muscles and does not essentially increase the subfascial volume. Fasciotomy decreases subfascial pressure and muscle excitability threshold, however they remain considerably elevated during day 1. An electrodiagnostic test is proposed for early (before subfascial edema) detection of postischemic contracture.

Subjective uncertainty, purposeful behavior, and theory of functional systems.

Neglect of probability prognosis orients the theory of functional systems to description of rigidly determined forms of behavior (congenital behavior, frontal syndrome, etc.). The authors suggest an original concept for analysis of behavior under conditions of subjective uncertainty based on probability estimations. It contains all classical components of a behavioral act model developed by P. K. Anokhin. The role of probability prognosis at the stages of making decision (purpose) and formation and realization of the program of actions is argued. Two new components are added to the classical model: memory buffer and system of making probabilistic decision for modifying the program of actions. Such an approach essentially extends the potentialities of using the theory of functional systems, making it usable not only for rigidly determined behavior but for behavior under conditions of subjective uncertainty.