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Aim. Interoception reflects the perception, integration and modulation of visceral signals. Currently, there is no established universal approach to cardiac interoception assessment allowing its inclusion in the diagnostic protocol for various diseases. The aim was to compare three tests of interoception self-assessment based on heart palpitations within one day in healthy subjects.Material and methods. Eighty healthy volunteers took part in the study. To assess cardiac interoception, a test with button pushes at the moment of palpitations, a feedback test in the form of synchronous and asynchronous sound signals, a heartbeat counting task at specified time intervals were conducted with simultaneous electrocardiographic recording. The obtained data were compared with each other (Wilcoxon test). Its pairwise dependence (Spearman coefficient) and dependence on body parameters (sex, age, body mass index, fat mass, anxiety) were assessed (univariate linear regression).Results. The accuracy of the heartbeat counting task turned out to be significantly higher than in the button- pressing test (p=0,005). However, both estimates correlate with each other (r=0,66, p=0,003). A positive dependence of test accuracy on sex was found for the heartbeat counting task (p=0,021) and a negative dependence on fat mass for button- pressing task (p=0,032).Conclusion. The study found that volunteers' estimates of heartbeat accuracy varied across tests and were also associated with sex and body composition. The heart rate counting task and the button- pressing task are the most suitable for interoception assessment.

The use of a systematic approach to the study of the etiology of a certain pathology makes it possible to improve the understanding of its pathogenesis, as well as to develop more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, including improving the prediction of its risk. Within this review, we will consider such an area of interdisciplinary research as neurocardiology, which studies the brain-heart axis. Examples of cardiovascular diseases associated with organic and functional disorders of this axis will be considered, as well as the prospects for research in this area and their translational significance for clinical medicine.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a method of focal non-invasive brain stimulation, characterized by high spatial and temporal resolution. To date, diagnostic transcranial magnetic stimulation has been used in clinical practice primarily to assess an involvement of the upper motor neurons and to measure the velocity of the neuronal impulse propagation. However, in the last 10 years, a possible range of transcranial magnetic stimulation diagnostic applications has significantly expanded. Many transcranial magnetic stimulation approaches are coming from scientific laboratories to clinical practice due to an increased availability of transcranial magnetic stimulation equipment, in particular, magnetic resonance imaging navigation for transcranial magnetic stimulation and a combination of the transcranial magnetic stimulation with electroencephalography and also due to an increased awareness of the clinicians. The diagnostic potential of transcranial magnetic stimulation in relation to motor recovery after a stroke can be classified into 4 directions:1) assessment of the vertical tracts integrity (primarily, the cortico-spinal tract); 2) an assessment of the cortical excitation-inhibition balance;3) probing of the functional and effective connectivity among brain regions (primarily, cortical convexity and cerebellum);4) motor mapping to evaluate cortical reorganization.In this article we will present these 4 directions of the transcranial magnetic stimulation application to study motor system pathophysiology and to predict motor outcome in stroke, including both existing and developing approaches.

Background. Arthrogryposis is one of the most severe congenital abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system characterized by 2 or more contractures of the large joints, muscle and anterior grey column pathology. One of the main problems making selfcare limited or impossible for the patients is an absence of the active movements in the joints of the upper extremities which can be restored through autologous transplantation from the various donor areas. Processes of the rehabilitation after these operations are associated with neuronal remodeling in the central nervous system both in the spinal cord and the brain, in the cortial regions in particular.The objective is to evaluate possible reflection of arthrogryposis in the amplitude and neurodynamical characteristics of the electroencephalogram (EEG) in children.Materials and methods. Electrophysiological characteristics of the cerebral cortex in children with arthrogryposis and healthy children of the same age were examined. Such EEG characteristics as power and long-range temporal correlations (evaluation of the neuronal activity dynamics) in ranges of 4–8, 8–12, and 12–16 Hz were measured. The results were evaluated in accordance with clinical scales.Results. Data analysis has shown that children with arthrogryposis have significantly decreased EEG power in all of the studied ranges compared to healthy children. Additionally, a significant correlation between EEG power and the level of restoration of motor functions in the upper extremities after autologous transplantation of various muscle groups in the position of the biceps was observed. The obtained results reflect correlation between the electrophysiological parameters of the cerebral cortex and processes associated with arthrogryposis pathology. However, neurodynamical parameters in children with arthrogryposis are similar to those in healthy children. The results allow to state that arthrogryposis is reflected through decreased electrical activity of the cerebral cortex in 4–16 Hz range with preservation of neurodynamic characteristics typical for disease-free children.Conclusion. In this study, a significant difference in EEG power in 4–8, 8–12, and 12–16 Hz ranges between children with arthrogryposis and healthy children was demonstrated. However, there was no difference in such an important neurodynamical characteristic as longrange temporal correlations. It is possible that decreased amplitude of EEG rhythms in children with arthrogryposis is caused by their lower motor activity in general.

Combined use of transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) is a highly informative cutting edge technology which is relevant for fundamental, clinical and translational research. Unique capabilities of TMS-EEG approach allow to assess the functional state and connectivity of brain regions thus opening new prospects for the evaluation of the TMS effects in non-motor cortical areas. TMS-EEG responses have diagnostic and prognostic potential for many neurological and mental illnesses. Simultaneous co-registration of TMS with EEG remains a technically sophisticated procedure and requires specialized equipment in conjunction with application of complex data analysis techniques. This review describes the details of TMS-EEG technique, principles of the experiment design, the shape and the reproducibility of TMS- evoked responses and applications of this promising approach both in research and in clinics.

The characteristics of formation of the opal mineralization in the host rock within Mutnovskaya volcanic zone were studied. The type of metasomatic rock alteration and its consecutive order were established. The results of study allowed identifying the mineral inclusions in opals, which was linked to the metalliferousness of the Mutnovsky hydrothermal system. Probable mechanism of opals formation within the North Mutnovskaya zone is considered, and its characteristics are compared to those from the opal field Raduzhnoye, Primorye.

Mirror is a well-established tool in the movement rehabilitation,providing real-time visual feedback to assist in the retraining.However, mirror visual feedback may be used also in therapy inits own right. The mirror therapy (MT) is a method based oncreating artificial visual feedback. MT was proposed for treatingpain syndrome, such as phantom pain and complex regionalpain syndrome of type 1 and 2, as well as for motor rehabilitationin stroke patients with hemiparesis and in patients after arm surgery.The main principle of MT is thought to be restoration ofdamaged feedback from ill/amputated limb. One of possiblemechanisms of MT is activation of mirror neurons, actingboth during execution and observation of action. Clear advantagesof MT are its simplicity, availability and, most importantly,its patient-directed character.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is method of brainneurons stimulation by alternating magnetic field and measuringmotor-evoked potentials (MEPs) with electromyography monitoring.Recently, some new technologies were introduced, basedon classical TMS, which allowed noninvasive brain mapping ofcortical motor areas. Navigation transcranial magnetic stimulation(nTMS, NBS eXimia Nexstim) is one of them. In this articlewe describe our experience of m. abductor pollicis brevismotor area mapping in 29 healthy volunteers. Basic parametersof TMS were measured: MEP amplitude (408.49216.36 uV),latency (22.380.97 ms), passive motor threshold(40.084.68% for the left hemisphere, 48.719.16% for theright hemisphere). Maps of cortical areas were builded.

Navigated rTMS is characterized by a great accuracy of localizingthe stimulated area, which opens up new prospects forneuroplasticity modulation. We conducted an interventionalrandomized double-blind sham-controlled study to evaluate theeffectiveness of navigated rTMS in post-stroke rehabilitation.We found that low-frequency stimulation reliably reduces severityof motor deficit and increases the Barthel Index of Activitiesof Daily Living. High-frequency stimulation reduces spasticity(Ashworth Scale) and severity of central post-stroke pain syndrome.Navigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulationeffectively supplements the conventional rehabilitation of poststrokepatients. Compared to routine TMS, the use of navigatedrTMS enables effective control of the neuroplastic processes andprovides new opportunities in development of personalized neurorehabilitationprograms.

Aim. To investigate the specifics of ischemic and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP), platelet aggregation activity, and the reaction of the latter to the beta-adrenoblocker (β-AB) therapy with atenolol or bisoprolol. Results. In DCMP patients, a significant increase in velocity and maximal amplitude of ADP-induced platelet aggregation, as well as a significant reduction in the time to the maximal aggregation amplitude, was observed. In both therapy groups, all parameters of platelet aggregation activity were significantly higher in ischemic vs. idiopathic DCMP patients. Long-term bisoprolol therapy provided a more manifested antiaggregant effect of the basis treatment, compared to atenolol therapy. Conclusion. DCMP patients, especially ones with ischemic DCMP, demonstrated an increase in platelet aggregation activity. Long-term bisoprolol therapy facilitated a more pronounced anti-aggregant effect of the basis treatment, compared to atenolol treatment.