L. S. Chutko

Effect of Biofeedback Training of Sensorimotor and β1EEG Rhythms on Attention Parameters

The effects of the EEG–biofeedback (EEG–BFB) procedure, aimed at increasing the sensorimotor (12–15 Hz) and β(15–18 Hz) rhythms on the psychological and electrophysiological parameters of attention, were studied using the methods of scalp recording of evoked potentials in the bistimulus paradigm Go/No–Go and a psychological attention test (Test of Variables of Attention; TOVA). Twenty-five children with attention disorders were included in the study. EEG–BFB sessions significantly improved the attention, behavior, and school study results in 19 (76%) children. In these cases, a significant increase in the amplitude of the inhibitory component in the frontocentral leads and improvement of the TOVA parameters were found.

The Asthenic Symptom Complex in Patients with Emotional Burnout Syndrome

We present here the results of a study of 103 patients aged 25–45 years. Most patients with emotional burnout syndrome had the clinical features of asthenia with different levels of severity. Psychological and psychophysiological data in this group of patients demonstrated impairments to attention and memory. Assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of Memoplant showed it to have positive influences, with improvements in 69.7% of cases.

Features of the power spectra of the main EEG rhythms in children with different types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

As a result of the examination of a group of 9- to 12-year-old children with the combined type of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), two variants of the clinical picture of ADHD were identified: the residual organic variant (ADHD RO) and the idiopathic variant (ADHD IP). The EEG power spectra in the main frequency ranges were studied with the eyes closed and open. The greatest intergroup differences in the power spectra were observed in the θ-band in the forntocentral and occipital derivations. In the frontocentral divisions of the cortex, the maximal values were observed in the group of ADHD RO children, whereas the highest spectral power values were observed in ADHD IP children in the occipital derivations. No statistically significant differences in the α-band spectral power between healthy subjects and ADHD schoolchildren from either group were obtained. Thus, the studies showed that these two ADHD variants have certain neurophysiological differences, which should be considered when therapeutic modalities are to be selected.

A dyad approach to the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

AIM To study anxiety in adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their mothers and to evaluate the efficacy of a dyad approach (simultaneous treatment of the mother and the child) to ADHD treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-four adolescents, aged 12-15 years, with ADHD and their mothers were studied. All participants of the study received anxiolytic treatment: children were treated with noophen (500 mg per day 45 days) and their mothers received adaptol (1500 mg per day 45 days). In the comparison group with the same clinical/psychological characteristics, anxiolytic therapy with noophen was used only in adolescents. RESULTS Symptoms of anxiety were found in 61.7% of adolescents with ADHD and in 79.4% of the mothers. After the dyad therapy, an improvement was noted in 73.5% of adolescents and 69.7% of the mothers. There was an improvement in 63.3% of patients in the comparison group. CONCLUSION The results demonstrate the high efficacy of the dyad approach in treatment of ADHD with comorbid anxiety disorders.

Electrophysiological Correlates of Attentional Disorders in 12- to 13-Year-Old Adolescents

The EEG was recorded in 12- to 13-year-old adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). During the EEG recording, the subjects performed an attention test. Pairs of tone stimuli in the combinations low–low and low–high were presented in random order with equal probabilities with intervals of 2.3 s. Subjects had to press a button as soon as possible in response to low–low tone pair presentation (a go trial) and not to press the button when a pair consisting of low and high tones was presented (a no-go trial). On the basis of the results of the test performance (the numbers of omissions and false alarms), the subjects were divided into three groups characterized by the degree of severity of the attentional disorder. The evoked potentials in go and no-go trials were detected individually for the subject groups and each derivation. The components N1, N2, P2, P3-go, and P3-no-go were identified in the evoked potentials. These components had different latencies and were differently localized over the head surface. Only the amplitudes of P3-go and P3-no-go in the subjects were statistically significantly correlated with the severity of the attentional disorder.

Syndrome of autonomic dysfunction in children and adolescents

AIM To study clinical and pathophysiological symptoms of autonomic dysfunction syndrome in children and adolescents and assess the efficacy of its treatment with nooclerin. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty-three patients, aged from 10 to 15 years, with autonomic dysfunction syndrome were examined. All patients underwent neurological examination, assessment with the A.M. Veins questionnaire of autonomic disorders, the 10 point Visual Analogous scale for headache and fatigue, the Spielberger-Khanin scale for anxiety, Kerdo index, Hildebrandts coefficient, electrocardiography with clinoorthostatic test, electroencephalography, and TOVA psychophysiological test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The signs of the asthenic-autonomic syndrome were characteristic of the clinical picture of disease. EEG results demonstrated the deficit of activation effects, predominance of synchronized effects of thalamic structures which led to the insufficient activation of cortical structures. These data support the high efficacy of nooclerin.

Последствия специфических расстройств речевого развития у детей

AIM To assess cognitive and emotional disorders in children of primary school age who have a history of specific language impairment (SLI). MATERIAL AND METHODS Eighty-six children, aged 7-9 years, who were previously studied at age of 3-6 years with a diagnosis of SLI with a predominant disorder of expressive speech, were examined. Common neurological examination, psychological and psychometric testing were performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Clinical manifestations of the developmental disorder of expressive speech of moderate degree remained in 19.8% of children. In 53.4% of cases, the state of children could be regarded as an organic asthenic disorder. Clinical manifestations of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) were observed in 24.4% of children. Disorders of the formation of school skills were revealed in 32.5% of children. Thus, the SLI play an important role in the formation of cognitive, emotional and regulatory disorders and can serve as predictors of the development of other neuropsychiatric diseases.

Impulsivity in Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Objectives. To study impulsivity in adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to evaluate the efficacy of Noofen (500 mg/day for 45 days) in the treatment of this pathology. Materials and methods. The results of clinical, psychological, and psychophysiological studies of 60 adolescents aged 12–15 years with ADHD are presented. The clinical pictures of illness and data from psychophysiological studies in ADHD with a predominance of hyperactivity (ADHD-H) and the combined type of illness (ADHD-C) were compared. Results and conclusions. Significantly higher levels of impulsivity and anxiety were found in children with ADHD-H. Treatment with Noofen was shown to have high clinical efficacy: status improved in 63.3% of patients.

Исследование эффективности цитофлавина в лечении соматоформных расстройств

AIM To study the efficacy of cytoflavin in patients with somatoform disorders (SD). MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 60 patients with SD, aged from 27 to 43 years. The efficacy was assessed by the results of psychological and neurophysiological examinations. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The higher efficacy of cytoflavin (the improvement of patients condition in 63,3% of cases) compared to that of ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate (56,7% of cases) was found. Patients state was more stable after treatment with cytoflavin.

Сlinical and physiological characteristics and therapy asthenic disorders in adolescents girls

AIM To study clinical and psychophysiological characteristics of asthenic disorders in adolescent girls in the aspect of treatment efficacy of cortexin. MATERIAL AND METHODS Seventy-five women, aged 14-17 years, who were diagnosed with neurasthenia (ICD-10 F.48.0), were examined. Conventional neurological examination, a 10-point Visual Analogue Scale, the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), the A.M. Vein questionnaire, the Spielberger-Khanin questionnaire and EEG were used. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The high level of anxiety resulted in the development of autonomic symptoms and cephalgia. The EEG study showed that women with neurasthenia were characterized by lower alpha-rhythm power in the occipital sites compared with healthy peers. Treatment with cortexin improved patients condition in 80% of cases that was supported by the positive EG dynamics.