Search

The comparison of 32 immature infants with mental retardation of various degree (based on the results of clinical, immunological and biochemical examinations) with full-term infants with analogous pathology showed in the former group a high incidence (82.8%) of cerebral antibodies to antigens of the homo- and heterological brain in the complement consumption test. Therapeutic measures helped to reduce neuroimmune changes while the presence of antibodies to the homologous brain remained stable. Using data on the excretion of vanillyl amygdalic and homovanillic acids, the authors established alterations in catecholamine catabolism as well as in the activity of serum amine oxidase, which depended on the degree of mental retardation. Changes in individual components of catecholamine metabolism were found to correlate with neuroimmune shifts. The data obtained point to the presence of changes in biogenic amine metabolism and in immunological processes in mentally retarded children, which are very likely to be caused by immaturity at birth.

The paper discusses 8 cases with the syndrome of alcoholic embryopathy (5 boys and 3 girls aged from 8 to 14 years). All children examined had specific craniofacial abnormalities, oligophrenia, small height and weight at birth, microcephaly, combined in some cases with different defects of development (defect of interatrial septum, cleft palate, spina bifida). Two cases of alcoholic embryopathy are given in detail. The significance of different factors in the pathogenesis of this syndrome is discussed.

The study of immunoglobulin levels and neuroimmune processes in younger schoolchildren with slightly retarded intellectual development revealed the deficiency of immunoglobulin A (either alone or in combination with other types of immunoglobulins). The neuroimmune processes identified were characterized by the presence of brain antibodies predominantly against interspecific antigens. During psychostimulant and general somatic therapy, the concentration of immunoglobulins tended towards normal and the intensity of neuroimmune processes declined.

The development of the Luy's nucleus of the cat is not accomplished by birth-time. Complex relationships between nerve cell and capillaries continue to change during postnatal ontogenesis. The function of the Luy's nucleus becomes perfect by the third month. It should be noted that maturation of nerve cells and the vascular network goes not in parallel: the enlargement of the nerve cell occurs smoothly while the increase of the vascular-capillary network density is undulatory. There are three peaks in the development of vascular-capillary network: the 20th day, one month and a half, adult cat.