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Byline: K. Loganovsky The suicide rates in southern India are very high (Joseph et al., 2003; Aaron et al., 2004), where there are areas of high natural radiation background (UNSCEAR, 2000). It was a stable tendency towards excess of suicides among the atomic bomb survivors exposed to low doses (090 mGy) (Kusumi et al., 1993). It was informed about the direct dependence between the suicide rate and the residency distance from the Atomic Test Site (Alimkhanov, 1995). Suicides are the leading cause of death among Estonian clean-up workers (Rahu et al., 1997; 2006). The workers conducting transformation of the destroyed 4th Unit of the Chernobyl NPP ('Shelter Object') to the ecologically safe system may be also under increased suicide risk. Whether exposure to low doses of ionising radiation is a risk factor for suicides should be elucidated by the epidemiological studies.

Background. Neuroendocrine effects of the prenatal radiation exposure from radioactive iodine in an event of nuclear power reactor accidents are a key issue in the field of radiation medicine and radiation safety because of a dramatic radiosensitivity of the developing organism. Objective. Review of contemporary epidemiological, clinical and experimental data on neuroendocrine effects of prenatal exposure to 131I. Object and methods. Search in the PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar abstract databases, along with a manual search for the relevant data sources. Results. Estimated absorbed doses of intrauterine thyroid irradiation from radioactive iodine were obtained based on ICRP Publication 88, both with estimates of effective radiation doses on embryo and fetus, and estimates of the brain equivalent doses upon exposure in utero. The latter ones are subject to updating. The evidence-based data has been presented regarding a radiation-associated reduction of head and chest circumference at birth, as well as a radiation-associated excess of goiter with large thyroid nodules, and possibly of thyroid cancer after a prenatal exposure to 131I radionuclides. Data on intrauterine brain damage are controversial, but most researchers share the view that there are cognitive and emotional-behavioral disorders due to prenatal and postnatal irradiation and psychosocial impacts. Incidence increase of non-cancerous endocrine disorders and degenerative vascular disease of retina was noted. An experimental model of intrauterine irradiation from 131I on Wistar rats was for the first time ever created, extrapolating the radioneuroembryological effects in rats to individuals prenatally exposed after the Chornobyl disaster. Late neuropsychiatric and endocrine effects may be resulted from the relatively short-term impact of ionizing radiation at a level previously been considered safe. The necessity of neuropsychiatric and endocrinological monitoring of individuals exposed prenatally to ionizing radiation after the Chornobyl catastrophe throughout their life is substantiated. Experimental animal studies are a key direction in the further research of radiation effects, especially associated with low radiation doses. Further experimental and clinical neuroradiobiological studies aimed at exploration of the effect of ionizing radiation on hippocampal neurogenesis are most relevant nowadays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Study of the status of parathyroid glands in individuals exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of the ChNPP accident and comparison with the general population of Ukraine. Materials and methods. Subjects exposed as a result of the ChNPP accident (n = 1,348) and people from the general population of Ukraine (n=655) were examined. Diagnostic ultrasound scan of thyroid and parathyroid glands (PTG) was conducted in all study subjects. The technique of parathyroid ultrasound screening was developed, which led to an increase in the efficiency of their imaging. Additionally, the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone, ionized calcium and some other parameters were selectively assayed in serum. Results. High incidence of parathyroid hyperplasia was detected 27-32 years after the irradiation in persons exposed as a result of the ChNPP accident, especially in evacuees from the 30-km exclusion zone (71.4%; χ²Yates' = 24.1; p = 0) and residents of radilogically contaminated territories (41.7%; χ²Yates' = 6.45; p < 0.01) having no primary hyperparathyroidism. High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was revealed in all study subgroups, namely in 83.1 % of the general population of Ukraine along with a bit better vitamin D status in the ChNPP accident survivors i.e. the vitamin insufficiency and deficiency was found in 78.7 % of them. Incidence of hyperparathyroidism, predominantly of the secondary (normocalcemic) one, was 33.8 % among persons exposed as a result of the ChNPP accident (p > 0.3) being somewhat higher than in the general population of Ukraine (26.1%), despite abovementioned better supply of vitamin D. Conclusions. There is a widespread insufficiency or deficiency of vitamin D (over 78.7%) in the population of Ukraine in general providing an unfavorable background for the higher prevalence of health disorders associated with calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The latter features parathyroid hyperplasia and musculosceletal, immune, cardiovascular, and endocrine system comorbidities. Such disorders should exacerbate with a secondary increase in parathyroid hormone secretion (26.1 %). Higher incidence of normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism (33.8% versus 26.1%) against a background of better vitamin D status among irradiated individuals indicates the existence of other factors, where the past combined effects of Chornobyl radioactive fallout and external parathyroid exposure are most likely to be involved. This could explain the greater number of cases of parathyroid hyperplasia and hyperparathyroidism among the exposed subjects. However the additional precise studies are required here with clarification of the personal data in population groups of the ChNPP accident survivors. Participants of the ChNPP accident clean-up work in the «iodine period» of 1986 are of especial concern here. Besides that, the study population should be expanded with inclusion of subjects exposed in prenatal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Radiation accidents, long-term space flights and interventional radiological procedures may induce detrimental brain and ophthalmic effects. Objectives: The aims of our studies are at exploring long-term potential brain and ophtalmic effects of ionizing radiation (IR) in a group of Chornobyl clean-up workers (liquidators). Methods: The randomized sample (n=198) of Chornobyl catastrophe clean-up workers (liquidators) and 110 non-exposed control subjects were examined with a battery of neuropsychiatric, psychometric, neuropsychological, psychophysiological methods, including visual sensory and cognitive evoked potentials. The cohort ophthalmological follow up study of 2892 liquidators were. Results: Our findings showed that of neuropsychiatric pathology increased (Pv<0.001) in parallel with with radiation dose. Even cognitive impairment at doses >0.3 Sv was dose-dependent (r=0.4-0.7; P=0.03-0.003). Depression and neurocognitive deficit were more severe at higher doses (≥50 mSv). Disturbed brain information processes lateralized to the Wernicke's area were observed at doses >50 mSv. There is an increasing latency and decreasing of amplitude of cognitive visual potentials in liquidators, and eye vascular pathology as the most early and widespread radiation effect, namely retinal angiopathies and premature development of retinal angiosclerosis. Relative risk of retinal angiopathy morbidity is 1.65 (1.02; 2.67) at χ² = 4.15; p = 0.041. Conclusions: According to, our observations, IR represents a significant risk factor for the development of neurocognitivebehavioural disorders, that may be accompanied also by vascular ophtalmological disturbances, such as retinal angiopathias). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The war in the East of Ukraine, like other emergencies, leads to impairment of mental and physical health, disruption of social adaptation, addictive and suicidal behavior in the persons involved in its orbit. The complex social and medical support to them is crucial. Objectives: To scientifically justify, develop and test the model of the medical-psychological and neuropsychiatric maintenance system to Anti-Terrorist Operation / Joint Force Operation (ATO/JFO) combatants based on own experience on medico-social consequences of the Chornobyl catastrophe mitigation and providing medical assistance to veterans of armed conflicts. Methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted in 2014-2019 with comprehensive examination and treatment of 148 ATO/JFO combatants. Neuropsychiatric and somatoneurological, psychodiagnostic, neurophysiological, neuroimaging, laboratory and instrumentalmethodswere used. Treatment and rehabilitation interventions were carried out on the basis of evidence-based Medicine and included pharmacological, psycho - and physiotherapy. Results: PTSD, adaptation disorders, chronic personality changes, anxiety, depressive and somatoform disorders, alcohol and substance abuse, as well as suicidal tendencies dominate in ATO/JFO combatants. Comorbid pathologies include consequences of mineblasting acoustic-barotraumas, traumatic brain injuries and chronic somatoneurological diseases. The effectiveness of a complex socialpsychological-psychiatric and somatoneurological approach, the use of the biopsychosocial paradigm, consistency and continuity of therapeutic and rehabilitation interventions based on evidence-based medicine has been shown. It is advisable to involve NGOs and volunteers. Conclusions: The complex psychosocial, medical, and neuropsychiatric system of providing the maintenance to ATO/JFO combatants on the base of a multidisciplinary clinic is reasonable and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Exposure to ionizing radiation in prenatal period emerged as a consequence of the wide-scale accidents at Chornobyl and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants (NPP). Number of such cases accounts to several thousand. In contrast to such diseases as thyroid cancer, leukemia, or solid cancers the non-cancer radiation effects are generally studied to a lesser extent. Objectives: Identification of neuropsychiatricl and comorbid health consequences of prenatal radiation exposure in the Chornobyl NPP accident survivors Methods: The neuropsychiatric, neuro- and psychometric, neuropsychological, neurophysiological, clinical (including hormonal assay and diagnostic imaging), dosimetric, and statistical methods were applied. Persons exposed to ionizing radiation in prenatal period (n=61) and matched not exposed subjects (n=597) were involved in the study. Results: Along with a trend to an increased incidence of neurocognitive deficits, emotional and behavioral disorders, neurological deficits and decreased cerebral bioelectric activity the significant endocrine disorders were revealed. The latter featured an increase in the incidence of non-malignant thyroid disease (non-toxic nodal goiter, chronic autoimmune thyroiditis) and a range of parathyroid disorders. Parathyroid hyperplasia was diagnosed in the ~30% of exposed cases at the background of vitamin D deficiency in ~80% of them. Conclusions: Combined exposure from external gamma-radiation and incorporated radioactive substances in prenatal period resulted in a spectrum of non-cancer health effects in the Chornobyl NPP accident survivors. Significant incidence of comorbid neuropsychiatric and endocrine disorders is an important issue here being a topic of the on-going research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A part of East Ukrainian territory involved in the Anti-Terrorist Operation / Joint Force Operation (ATO/JFO) is potential for radiation emergencies, including terroristic radiological attacks ("dirty bomb"). Objectives: To determine the personality patterns of ATO/JFO combatants in comparison with clean-up workers of the Chornobyl catastrophe (liquidators). Methods: The retrospective-prospective psychophysiological study included 101 ATO/JFO combatants, 122 liquidators and 85 nonexposed persons. Schmieschek-Leongard's and Eysenck's (EPI) personality questionnaires and quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) with brain mapping were used. Results: An accentuation of personality traits (pedantic, cyclothymic, dysthymic and excitable) is typical for the persons with traumatic experience. The liquidators have an increased rate of anxious and emotional accentuations, while the ATO/JFO combatants have stuck (jam) character accentuations, which can be explained by a different type of the traumatic experience. The liquidators, in comparison with the unexposed control, have increased relative and absolute spectral power of delta range of qEEG, decreased beta range mainly in the left frontotemporal region and reduced dominant frequency of qEEG. The liquidators, in comparison with ATO/JFO combatants, have increased spectral power of delta range in the left temporal region, and decreased relative spectral power of theta range. Neurophysiological correlates of personality traits were also found. Conclusions: There are psychophysiological differences in the personality pattern of ATO/JFO combatants in comparison with clean-up workers of the Chornobyl catastrophe. The specificity of the psychological trauma at different emergencies should be taking into account in preventive and treatment interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the current problems of modern radiobiology is determine the characteristics of the manifestation of radiation-induced effects not only at different dose loads, but also at different stages of development of the organism. In previous reports, we have summarized available evidence that at certain ages there is a comparative acceleration of radiation-induced pathological changes in the eye and brain, and the study and assessment of the risk of possible ophthalmic and neurological pathology in remote periods after contamination of radioactive areas. Data of irradiated in utero individuals are possible on the basis of observation of the state of the visual analyzer in persons who underwent intrauterine irradiation in 1986. Therefore, a parallel study of retinal morphometric parameters, amplitude and latency of components of evoked visual potentials in irradiated in utero individuals was performed., Objective: to evaluate the retinal morphometric parameters, amplitude and latency components of the evoked visual potentials in intrauterine irradiated persons., Materials and Methods: The results of surveys of 16 people irradiated in utero in the aftermath of the Chornobyl disaster were used; the comparison group were residents of Kyiv of the corresponding age (25 people). Optical coherence tomography was performed on a Cirrus HD-OCT, Macular Cube 512x128 study technique was used. At the same time, the study of visual evoked potentials on the inverted pattern was performed, and occipital leads wereanalyzed. Visual evoked potentials were recorded on a reversible chess pattern (VEP) - an electrophysiological test, which is a visual response to a sharp change in image contrast when presenting a reversible image of a chessboard., Results: In those irradiated in utero at the age of 22-25 years, there was a probable increase in retinal thickness in the fovea, there was a tendency to increase the thickness of the retina in the areas around the fovea. When recording visual evoked potentials on a reversible chess pattern in this group, there was a tendency to decrease the amplitudes of components (N75, P100, N145, P200) in the right and left parieto-occipital areas and asymmetric changes in latency of these components., Conclusions: Early changes of fovea recorded in OCT and decreasing amplitudes of components of visual evoked potentials on the reversible chess pattern at the age of 22 25 years may indicate a risk of development in patients irradiated in utero, early age-related macular degeneration, as well as increased risk and increased risk structures of the visual analyzer., (T. F. Babenko, K. M. Loganovsky, T. K. Loganovska, N. V. Medvedovska, O. O. Kolosynska, N. A. Garkava, K. V. Kuts, K. Yu. Antipchuk, I. V. Perchuk, G. Yu. Kreinis, R. Yu. Dorichevska, Yu. V. Yefimova, P. A. Fedirko.)

Background: Depopulation processes in Ukraine have been affected by the Chornobyl catastrophe (ChC), but therate of demographic aging of survivors remains uncertain. Although the mental health disorders of the survivors arerecognized internationally, problems of their research remain unresolved. Thus, these areas of research are relevant.Objective is to determine the rate of demographic aging of survivors of the Chornobyl NPP (ChNPP) accident and toanalyze the state of their mental health survey, outlining solutions., Materials and Methods: Information and statistical sources for 1986-2019 of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine andthe State Statistics Service of Ukraine on the age of the ChC survivors are used. The results of previous own researchand other scientists using the data of the Clinical and Epidemiological Register (CER) of the State Institution«National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine»(NRCRM), the State Register of ChC survivors (SRU), and the Department of Radiation Psychoneurology, Institute ofClinical Radiology, NRCRM are integrated. Theoretical, general scientific, demographic and mathematical-statisticalresearch methods and documentary analysis are used., Results: It is shown that in 2018, compared to 1995, the number of the ChC survivors, who are under the supervi-sion of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, decreased by almost 987 thousand. The part of people born from personsof the 1st-3rd accounting groups increased in the structure of survivors (from 13.1 % in 1995 to 13.6 %), and thisdecreased in persons living or lived in the territories subject to supervision (75.1 % and 63.1 %, respectively), butin evacuees and Chornobyl clean-up workers (liquidators) this did not change significantly. A high level of aging ofthe ChC survivors (except for the 4th group) is revealed: liquidators - 59.0 %; evacuees - 25.0 %, and residents ofradioactively contaminated territories (RCT) - 30.7 %. It has been proved that the countries of RCT differ signifi-cantly in the number of the ChC survivors and their structure. The increase in the post-accident period indicators ofthe level of aging and the average age of the RCT population indicates negative changes in age parameters and theneed to continue research to identify factors «responsible» for such changes. Long-term mental health disordersand neuropsychiatric effects in the ChC survivors have been identified - an excess of cerebrovascular pathology andneurocognitive deficits, especially in liquidators, which may indicate an accelerated aging. Radiation risks havebeen revealed for acute and chronic cerebrovascular pathology and organic mental disorders of non-psychotic andpsychotic levels. Neurophysiological and molecular-biological atypia of aging processes under an exposure to lowdoses of and low dose rate of ionizing radiation have been found. The psyche under the age of 40 years old at thetime of exposure is more vulnerable. Existing statistical and registry data underestimate the level of mental disor-ders in the population of Ukraine, including the ChC survivors by an order of magnitude., Conclusions: The ChC survivors are aging in the country. The negative tendencies in age parameters of survival indi-cate the need to continue research to identify the factors «responsible» for such changes. Mental health disordersand neuropsychiatric effects in the ChC survivors are underestimated. It is necessary to create a national psychiatricregistry of Ukraine and long-term (lifelong) monitoring of survivors with well-planned clinical and epidemiologicalstudies of general and mental health with reliable dosimetric support based on national registries using the latest information technologies., (N. Gunko, K. Loganovsky, V. Buzunov, N. Korotkova.)

Background: Radiation accidents at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (USSR, 1986) and Fukushima-1 (Japan,2011) have shown that global environmental contamination is an intervention in normal human life making nega-tive effect on population health. These accidents highlighted a number of statutory and regulatory both with me-dical and social problems for individuals, who returned voluntarily for permanent residence in the ChornobylExclusion Zone i.e. a radiation-hazardous area (they are named the «self-settlers»)., Objective: generalization of experience in the settlement of normative-legal, ecological-dosimetric and medico-social life issues of population living in the Chornobyl NPP (ChNPP) Exclusion Zone («self-settlers»)., Object and Methods: The chosen problem is complex, necessitating the generalization of radiation-hygienic, med-ical-biological, socio-economic, demographic and sociological research results obtained by the national and foreignauthors. A set of theoretical research and analysis of empirical data methods on the principles of interdisciplinaryinteraction was used; the systematic, legal, economic, medical-biological, demographic and retrospective-dosimet-ric approaches of research were applied., Results: It was shown that a part of population refused to evacuate or had returned for permanent residence to theradiation-hazardous lands after the ChNPP accident. In 1986-2009 the number of «self-settlers» ranged from 150to 2,000 in different years. In 2021 - the 101 people. Those were mainly people of working age, mostly females, single people or widows/widowers. Рrevious medical and dosimetric studies have shown that long-term residence inthe Exclusion Zone affects physical and mental health of «self-settlers» and causes atypical aging, includinginvolvement of the central nervous system. According to calculations, the average effective total radiation doseaccumulated by «self-settlers» for the first 3 years was 30 % of dose for the entire post-accident period, and thedose accumulated over 20 years was 54 % of the dose accumulated over 35 years. But the effective radiation dosesaccumulated in different periods after the accident differ significantly in residents of different Exclusion Zone settlements. This information needs further study in terms of the «radiation dose - health status» dependence., Conclusions: The effective radiation doses accumulated in different periods after the accident differ significantlyin the residents of different Exclusion Zone settlements. Тhe average effective total radiation dose accumulated by«self-settlers» for the first 3 years was 30 % of the dose for the entire post-accident period, and the dose accumulated over 20 years was 54 % of the dose accumulated over 35 years., (N. V. Gunko, O. M. Ivanova, K. M. Loganovsky, N. V. Korotkova, S. V. Masiuk.)

Background: Ionizing radiation (IR) can affect the brain and the visual organ even at low doses, while provoking cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and visual disorders. We proposed to consider the brain and the visual organ as potential targets for the influence of IR with the definition of cerebro-ophthalmic relationships as the «eye-brain axis»., Objective: The present work is a narrative review of current experimental, epidemiological and clinical data on radiation cerebro-ophthalmic effects in children, individuals exposed in utero, astronauts and interventional radiologists., Materials and Methods: The review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines by searching the abstract and scientometric databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, published from 1998 to 2021, as well as the results of manual search of peer-reviewed publications., Results: Epidemiological data on the effects of low doses of IR on neurodevelopment are quite contradictory, while data on clinical, neuropsychological and neurophysiological on cognitive and cerebral disorders, especially in the left, dominant hemisphere of the brain, are nore consistent. Cataracts (congenital - after in utero irradiation) and retinal angiopathy are more common in prenatally-exposed people and children. Astronauts, who carry out longterm space missions outside the protection of the Earth's magnetosphere, will be exposed to galactic cosmic radiation (heavy ions, protons), which leads to cerebro-ophthalmic disorders, primarily cognitive and behavioral disorders and cataracts. Interventional radiologists are a special risk group for cerebro-ophthalmic pathology - cognitivedeficits, mainly due to dysfunction of the dominant and more radiosensitive left hemisphere of the brain, andcataracts, as well as early atherosclerosis and accelerated aging., Conclusions: Results of current studies indicate the high radiosensitivity of the brain and eye in different contingents of irradiated persons. Further research is needed to clarify the nature of cerebro-ophthalmic disorders in different exposure scenarios, to determine the molecular biological mechanisms of these disorders, reliable dosimetric support and taking into account the influence of non-radiation risk factors., (K. M. Loganovsky, P. A. Fedirko, D. Marazziti, K. V. Kuts, K. Yu. Antypchuk, I. V. Perchuk, T. F. Babenko, T. K. Loganovska, O. O. Kolosynska, G. Yu. Kreinis, S. V. Masiuk, L. L. Zdorenko, N. A. Zdanevich, N. A. Garkava, R. Yu. Dorichevska, Z. L. Vasilenko, V. I. Kravchenko, N. V. Drosdova, Yu. V. Yefimova, A. V. Malinyak.)

Space travel, a topic of global interest, has always been a fascinating matter, as its potential appears to be infinite. The development of advanced technologies has made it possible to achieve objectives previously considered dreams and to widen more and more the limits that the human species can overcome. The dangers that astronauts may face are not minimal, and the impacts on physical and mental health may be significant. Specifically, symptoms of emotional dysregulation, cognitive dysfunction, disruption of sleep-wake rhythms, visual phenomena and significant changes in body weight, along with morphological brain changes, are some of the most frequently reported occurrences during space missions. Given the renewed interest and investment on space explorations, the aim of this paper was thus to summarize the evidence of the currently available literature, and to offer an overview of the factors that might impair the psychological well-being and mental health of astronauts. To achieve the goal of this paper, the authors accessed some of the main databases of scientific literature and collected evidence from articles that successfully fulfilled the purpose of this work. The results of this review demonstrated how the psychological and psychiatric problems occurring during space missions are manifold and related to a multiplicity of variables, thus requiring further attention from the scientific community as new challenges lie ahead, and prevention of mental health of space travelers should be carefully considered., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None., (© 2021 Giovanni Fioriti Editore s.r.l.)

Purpose: The current COVID-19 pandemic confronts psychiatric patients and mental health services with unique and severe challenges., Methods: In order to identify these trans-national challenges across Europe, an ad-hoc survey was conducted among 23 experts, each answering for one European or aligned country., Results: A number of important themes and issues were raised for the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and mental health services, barriers to service provision and future consequences. A number of key issues were reported by colleagues across several jurisdictions, even though these were at different stages of their national epidemics., Conclusions: Based on these findings, we articulate some important learnings from the early stages of the COVID-19 European pandemic, and highlight key considerations for all countries' mental health services as the current pandemic develops and for future pandemics.

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None.

Objective: The Chernobyl nuclear power plant (ChNPP) disaster that happened in Ukraine on the 26th of April 1986 still represents the most severe nuclear accident in human history. Its consequences, especially those involving mental health are increasingly emerging as long-term detrimental effects. Therefore, the aim of the present paper was to review the results of some of authors' studies and their personal reflections on this topic., Method: The authors selected and commented on the findings mainly derived from their contributions on the prevalence of long-term psychopathological symptoms and neuropsychiatric disorders in diferent groups of exposed and non exposed individuals, including the workers at the NPP the so-called liquidators (CUWs), the most exposed group, evacuees and people living in more or less contaminated areas., Results: The main findings derived from a series of studies carried out by the authors throughout the following decades after the disaster indicate the high prevalence of cerebrovascular diseases, organic mental and depressive disorders, cognitive impairment and even dementia that increase with the irradiation dose mainly amongst the liquidators. The organic disorders are probably related to a peculiar effect of radiation on left, dominant brain hemisphere. Interestingly, recent studies revealed abnormalities of the serotonin transporter and other genes disorders possibly at the basis of depression of exposed individuals., Conclusions: The high prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders amongst irradiated subjects following the ChNPP disaster highlights the impact of radiation exposure on the lifelong onset of neuropsychiatric disorders, for too long neglected by international agencies. Such findings require to be deepened in the future possibly within the frame of the so-called "ecological psychiatry"., (© 2021 Giovanni Fioriti Editore s.r.l.)

Objective: to determine the early signs of structural changes in brain white matter in small vessel disease associated with arterial hypertension and exposure to ionizing radiation using DTI-MRI., Materials and Methods: 45 patients (mean age (57.56 ± 6.34) years) with small vessel disease (SVD) associatedwith arterial hypertension (AH) were examined: group I - 20 patients, participants of liquidation of the accident atthe Chornobyl nuclear power plant (Chornobyl clean-up workers); group II - 25 patients not exposed to ionizingradiation. MRI was performed on an Ingenia 3T tomograph («Philips»). The fractional anisotropy (FA) was determined in the main associative and commissural pathways, periventricular prefrontal areas (fasciculus fronto-occipitalis superior / anterior - f. FO ant., corona radiata anterior - CR ant.) and semioval centers (SC)., Results: No signs of cerebral cortex or brain white matter (WM) atrophy, intracerebral microhemorrhages, and widespread areas of leukoaraiosis consolidation were observed in the examined patients. In the Chornobyl clean-up workers a larger number of foci of subcortical leukoaraiosis was visualized (80 %) on MRI images including multiple -8 (40 %), > 0.5 cm - 10 (50 %), with signs of consolidation - 5 (25 %). The results of the FA analysis in semiovalcenters showed its significant decrease in the patients of groups I and II (p < 0,007), regardless of the presence orabsence of visual signs of subcortical leukoaraiosis (ScLA) (III gr.: 253-317, p < 0.00001; IV gr.: 287- 375,p < 0.001). FA indicators in f. FO ant. and CR ant. in the patients of groups I and II differed insignificantly but weresubstantially lower than controls (p < 0.05). FA was significantly lower, compared to reference levels, in visuallyunchanged f. FO ant. (0.389-0.425; p = 0.015) and CR ant. (0.335-0.403; p = 0.05). In patients with AH-associated SVD of middle age, regardless of the effects of ionizing radiation, no significant changes in FA in the mainWM associative and commissural pathways were found (p > 0.05)., Conclusions: DTI-MRI allows to detect early signs of structural changes in the white matter of the brain - a significant decrease in fractional anisotropy indicators in visually unchanged periventricular and subcortical areas. Themain associative and commissural pathways of the brain remain intact in the absence of widespread consolidatedfoci of leukoaraiosis and lacunar infarctions. The negative impact of ionizing radiation on the course of SVD associated with arterial hypertension is manifested by more active processes of WM disorganization: the prevalence andtendency to the consolidation of periventricular and subcortical leukoaraiosis foci, a significant FA decrease in semioval centers., (I. M. Dykan, Y. I. Golovchenko, K. M. Loganovsky, O. V. Semonova, L. A. Myronyak, T. M. Babkina, K. V. Kuts, I. O. Kobzar, M. V. Gresko, T. K. Loganovska, S. V. Fedkiv.)

Background: Exposure to ionizing radiation could affect the brain and eyes leading to cognitive and vision impairment, behavior disorders and performance decrement during professional irradiation at medical radiology, includinginterventional radiological procedures, long-term space flights, and radiation accidents., Objective: The objective was to analyze the current experimental, epidemiological, and clinical data on the radiation cerebro-ophthalmic effects., Materials and Methods: In our analytical review peer-reviewed publications via the bibliographic and scientometric bases PubMed / MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and selected papers from the library catalog of NRCRM - theleading institution in the field of studying the medical effects of ionizing radiation - were used., Results: The probable radiation-induced cerebro-ophthalmic effects in human adults comprise radiation cataracts,radiation glaucoma, radiation-induced optic neuropathy, retinopathies, angiopathies as well as specific neurocognitive deficit in the various neuropsychiatric pathology including cerebrovascular pathology and neurodegenerativediseases. Specific attention is paid to the likely stochastic nature of many of those effects. Those prenatally and inchildhood exposed are a particular target group with a higher risk for possible radiation effects and neurodegenerative diseases., Conclusions: The experimental, clinical, epidemiological, anatomical and pathophysiological rationale for visualsystem and central nervous system (CNS) radiosensitivity is given. The necessity for further international studieswith adequate dosimetric support and the follow-up medical and biophysical monitoring of high radiation riskcohorts is justified. The first part of the study currently being published presents the results of the study of theeffects of irradiation in the participants of emergency works at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP)., (K.N. Loganovsky, P.A. Fedirko, K.V. Kuts, D. Marazziti, K.Yu. Antypchuk, I.V. Perchuk, T.F. Babenko, T.K. Loganovska, O.O. Kolosynska, G.Yu. Kreinis, M.V. Gresko, S.V. Masiuk, L.L. Zdorenko, N.A. Zdanevich, N.A. Garkava, R.Yu. Dorichevska, Z.L. Vasilenko, V.I. Kravchenko, N.V. Drosdova, Yu.V. Yefimova.)

Background: Neuroendocrine effects of the prenatal radiation exposure from radioactive iodine in an event of nuclear power reactor accidents are a key issue in the field of radiation medicine and radiation safety because of a dramatic radiosensitivity of the developing organism., Objective: Review of contemporary epidemiological, clinical and experimental data on neuroendocrine effects of prenatal exposure to 131I., Object and Methods: Search in the PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar abstract databases, along with a manual search for the relevant data sources., Results: Estimated absorbed doses of intrauterine thyroid irradiation from radioactive iodine were obtained based on ICRP Publication 88, both with estimates of effective radiation doses on embryo and fetus, and estimates of the brain equivalent doses upon exposure in utero. The latter ones are subject to updating. The evidence-based data has been presented regarding a radiation-associated reduction of head and chest circumference at birth, as well as a radiation-associated excess of goiter with large thyroid nodules, and possibly of thyroid cancer after a prenatal exposure to 131I radionuclides. Data on intrauterine brain damage are controversial, but most researchers share the view that there are cognitive and emotional-behavioral disorders due to prenatal and postnatal irradiation and psy- chosocial impacts. Incidence increase of non-cancerous endocrine disorders and degenerative vascular disease of retina was noted. An experimental model of intrauterine irradiation from 131I on Wistar rats was for the first time ever created, extrapolating the radioneuroembryological effects in rats to individuals prenatally exposed after the Chornobyl disaster. Late neuropsychiatric and endocrine effects may be resulted from the relatively short-term impact of ionizing radiation at a level previously been considered safe. The necessity of neuropsychiatric and endocrinological monitoring of individuals exposed prenatally to ionizing radiation after the Chornobyl catastrophe throughout their life is substantiated. Experimental animal studies are a key direction in the further research of radiation effects, especially associated with low radiation doses. Further experimental and clinical neuroradiobio- logical studies aimed at exploration of the effect of ionizing radiation on hippocampal neurogenesis are most rele- vant nowadays., (K. M. Loganovsky, V. V. Talko, O. V. Kaminskyi, D. E. Afanasyev, S. V. Masiuk, T. K. Loganovskaya, G. Y. Lavrenchuk.)

Objective: Study of the status of parathyroid glands in individuals exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of the ChNPP accident and comparison with the general population of Ukraine., Materials and Methods: Subjects exposed as a result of the ChNPP accident (n = 1,348) and people from the general population of Ukraine (n=655) were examined. Diagnostic ultrasound scan of thyroid and parathyroid glands (PTG) was conducted in all study subjects. The technique of parathyroid ultrasound screening was developed, which led to an increase in the efficiency of their imaging. Additionally, the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hor- mone, ionized calcium and some other parameters were selectively assayed in serum., Results: High incidence of parathyroid hyperplasia was detected 27-32 years after the irradiation in persons ex- posed as a result of the ChNPP accident, especially in evacuees from the 30-km exclusion zone (71.4%; χ2Yates' = 24.1; р = 0) and residents of radilogically contaminated territories (41.7%; χ2Yates' = 6.45; p < 0.01) having no primary hyperparathyroidism. High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was revealed in all study subgroups, namely in 83.1 % of the general population of Ukraine along with a bit better vitamin D status in the ChNPP acci- dent survivors i.e. the vitamin insufficiency and deficiency was found in 78.7 % of them. Incidence of hyperparathy- roidism, predominantly of the secondary (normocalcemic) one, was 33.8 % among persons exposed as a result of the ChNPP accident (p > 0.3) being somewhat higher than in the general population of Ukraine (26.1%), despite above- mentioned better supply of vitamin D., Conclusions: There is a widespread insufficiency or deficiency of vitamin D (over 78.7%) in the population of Ukraine in general providing an unfavorable background for the higher prevalence of health disorders associated with calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The latter features parathyroid hyperplasia and musculosceletal, immune, cardiovascular, and endocrine system comorbidities. Such disorders should exacerbate with a secondary increase in parathyroid hormone secretion (26.1 %). Higher incidence of normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism (33.8% versus 26.1%) against a background of better vitamin D status among irradiated individuals indicates the existence of other factors, where the past combined effects of Chornobyl radioactive fallout and external parathyroid exposure are most likely to be involved. This could explain the greater number of cases of parathyroid hyperplasia and hyper- parathyroidism among the exposed subjects. However the additional precise studies are required here with clarifi- cation of the personal data in population groups of the ChNPP accident survivors. Participants of the ChNPP acci- dent clean-up work in the «iodine period» of 1986 are of especial concern here. Besides that, the study population should be expanded with inclusion of subjects exposed in prenatal period., (O. V. Kaminskyi, O. V. Kopylova, D. E. Afanasyev, K. M. Loganovsky, V. V. Talko, I. M. Muraveva, I. G. Chikalova, O. V. Tepla, I. O. Kiseliova, N. V. Bryliova, K. O. Gryschenko, L. O. Tsvet, O. Ya. Pleskach.)

Objective: Depressive syndromes (DSs) are some of the most common mental disorders in individuals suffering from alcohol dependence (AD). The aim of the study was to investigate the characteristics of DSs associated with AD in a group of inpatients admitted in a psychiatric hospital., Method: One hundred sixty inpatients between 25 and 58 years of age (mean ± SD: 37.30 ± 7.97), suffering from AD and DSs and recruited from a larger clinical sample, were included. They were evaluated by means of a battery of diagnostic/rating scales for assessment of both diagnosis and symptoms severity., Results: Complete physical and psychiatric examinations of AD patients showed that DSs represent a very heterogeneous group that can be divided in: psychogenic (66.3%), endogenous (11.3%), organic (22.4%), and mixed. The following clinical depressive subtypes could be identified: hypochondriac (42.5%), asthenic (20.6%), agitated (19.4%), dysphoric (8.8%), simple (4.35%), and apathetic (4.35)., Conclusions: Our study indicates that DSs during AD represent a constant association that frequently complicates the clinical pictures, induces low quality of life and personal adjustment, and impairs remission. Investigation of the casual and intertwined factors, developmental patterns and clinical structure of the AD-associated DSs should allow optimizing a tailored and integrated system of medical rehabilitation help., Competing Interests: Competing interests: No author or any immediate family member has current financial relationships with commercial organizations that might present the appearance of a potential conflict of interest with the material presented., (© 2019 Giovanni Fioriti Editore s.r.l.)

Relevance of the present work is determined by the considerable prevalence of both affective and cognitive disor-ders in the victims due to the Chornobyl accident, the pathogenesis of which is insufficiently studied.Objective is to identify the neuropsychiobiological mechanisms of the formation of the remote affective and cog-nitive disorders following exposure to ionizing radiation taking into account the specific gene polymorphisms.Design, object and methods of research. The retrospective and prospective cohort study with the external andinternal control groups. The randomized sample of the male participants in liquidation of the consequences of theaccident (Chornobyl clean-up workers, liquidators) at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant (ChNPP) in 1986-1987(n = 198) recruited from the Clinico-epidemiological registry (CER) of NRCRM aged 39-87 (M ± SD: 60.0-8.5 years)with the external irradiation dose ranged 0.6-5900.0 mSv (M ± SD: 456.0 ± 760.0 mSv) was examined. The compar-ison group (n = 110) consisted of the unexposed patients of the Radiation Psychoneurology Department with thecorresponding age and sex (the external control group). The internal control group included the liquidators irradi-ated at doses < 50.0 mSv (n = 42). The standard diagnostic neuropsychiatric scales, psychodiagnostic questionnairesand tests, neuropsychological methods (including the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) with premorbid IQ(pre-IQ) assessment), neuropsychiatric and psychophysiological methods (quantitative EEG (qEEG) and the audito-ry cognitive evoked potentials (Event-Related Potentials, ERP) were applied. The genotypes of the serotonin trans-porter gene SLC6A4 were determined by the 5&#95;HTTLPR and rs25531 polymorphisms. The methods of descriptive and vari-ation statistics, non-parametric criteria, regression-correlation analysis, survival analysis by Kaplan - Meier and riskanalysis were used.Results. Cerebrovascular diseases, organic mental and depressive disorders, mainly of radiation-stress-relatednature, prevail among the liquidators. The overall risk of neuropsychiatric pathology increases (Pv < 0.001) with theirradiation dose. The verbal memory and learning are impaired, as well as the full IQ is reduced at the expense of theverbal one. The frequency of both mild cognitive impairment and dementia is risen. The cognitive impairment atdoses > 0.3 Sv is dose-dependent (r = 0.4-0.7; p = 0.03-0.003). Affective disorders (depression) and neurocogni-tive deficit are more severe at higher doses of irradiation (> 50 mSv). In the left posterior temporal region(Wernicke's area) the qEEG indices changes become dose-dependent at doses greater than 0.25-0.3 Sv. The dis-turbed brain information processes lateralized to the Wernicke's area are observed even at doses > 50 mSv. The car-riers of intermediate and low-level genotypes (LА/S, LА/LG, LG/LG, LG/S, S/S) of the serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4have more depressive disorders, especially severe ones, and tend to have more frequent and severe cognitive andstress-related disorders.The debut of depressive disorders in the carriers of the intermediate and low-activity genotypes occurs much earli-er (Log-Rank Test = 4.43, p = 0.035) in comparison with the carriers of the high-performance genotype LА/ LА.Conclusions. The radiation-induced dysfunction of the cortico-limbic system in the left dominant hemisphere ofthe human brain with a specific involvement of the hippocampus is considered to be the key cerebral basis of post-radiation organic brain damage. The association of genotypes by 5&#95;HTTLPR and rs25531 polymorphisms of the SLC6A4gene with affective and cognitive disorders suggests the presence of neuropsychobiological features of these dis-orders associated with ionizing radiation depending on the certain gene polymorphisms., (K. N. Loganovsky, M. O. Bomko, I. V.Abramenko, K. V. Kuts, N. I. Belous, S. V. Masiuk, M. V. Gresko, T. K. Loganovska, K. Yu. Antypchuk, I. V. Perchuk, G. Yu. Kreinis, S. A. Chumak.)