В статье приведены сведения о терминологии и классификации вариантов длительных нарушений сознания, проблемах диагностики, в том числе дифференциальной, вегетативного состояния и состояния минимального сознания с помощью нейровизуализационных и нейрофизиологических методов исследований. По данным литературы, позитронно-эмиссионная томография с фтордезоксиглюкозой обладает большей чувствительностью в выявлении признаков сознания, чем функциональный режим магнитно-резонансной томографии (фМРТ). Метод фМРТ позволяет оценивать функциональную активность мозга как в состоянии покоя, так и при различных вариантах стимуляции ― зрительной, слуховой и т.д. (т.е. с применением активной и пассивной парадигм). Большей специфичностью в выявлении признаков сознания обладают методики фМРТ с применением активной парадигмы, в то же время отсутствие признаков сознания по данным фМРТ не может служить основанием для плохого прогноза. Нейрофизиологические методы (электроэнцефало-грамма, исследования транскраниальной магнитной стимуляции и вызванных потенциалов мозга и т.д.) остаются на сегодняшний день наиболее доступными и достаточно эффективными. Проанализировав данные литературы, авторы пришли к заключению, что нейровизуализационные и нейрофизиологические методики, применяемые в прогнозировании исхода вегетативного состояния, отражают лишь остаточную функциональную активность отдельных зон головного мозга на фоне его общего тяжелого поражения, а восстановление сознание, как правило, сочетается с восстановлением функциональной активности таламокортикальных связей. Недостатком в интерпретации результатов, полученных с помощью существующих методов, авторы считают отсутствие общей патофизиологической концепции организации функций мозга у пациентов в вегетативном состоянии и предлагают к обсуждению читателей разработанную ими концепцию устойчивых патологических состояний мозга, основанную на трудах отечественных патофизиологов.

In recent decades, significant progress has been achieved in understanding the mechanisms of disturbance and restoration of consciousness in patients after severe brain damage resulting in prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDOC). MicroRNAs (miRs) may be potential candidates as possible biomarkers for the classification of disease subtypes, and prognosis in patients with pDOC. The aim of the study was to analyze miRs expression levels (hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-93-5p, hsa-miR-191-5p, mmu-miR-499-5p, hsa-let-7b-5p) by a real-time polymerase chain reaction in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with pDOC and to identify a potential biomarker for dividing patients into groups according to disease severity. We analyzed the levels of investigated miRs in pDOC patients, divided by etiology, CRSI, and the total group compared with controls. Our results showed that dividing patients with pDOC into groups according to the etiology of the disease resulted in the most significant differences in the levels of miR-93, -21, and -191 in CSF and plasma samples between groups of patients. Among the analyzed miRs, we did not find a marker that would help to distinguish VS/UWS patient groups from MCS. Examining of miRs as possible prognostic markers in patients with pDOC, the starting point seems to be the cause that led to the development of the disease.

Introduction: Changes in hormonal status in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDC) remain poorly understood. There are no studies devoted to the investigation of prognostic value of hormonal changes to predict the outcome which is primarily due to a relatively small number of patients, different variants of structural brain disorders in vegetative state (VS) patients, concomitant somatic pathology including typical complications.The objective: to study the correlation between outcomes in VS patients with hormonal status and the level of natriuretic peptide. Subjects and methods. 275 patients in VS were examined for the time period from 2007 to 2017. 152 patients had sequela of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and 123 patients suffered from hypoxic brain damage. All patients matched the international criteria of VS diagnosis. In all patients, blood samples were collected during the first week after admission to ICU to test hormones and natriuretic peptide levels. ACTH, cortisol, TSH, free T₃ and T₄ , STH, prolactin and natriuretic peptide were tested in the period from 2 to 4 months of staying in VS. In men, the level of total testosterone, LH and FSH was additionally tested. The obtained data were compared with VS outcome.Results. The tested hormones were stably insufficient only in few VS patients. None of the tested hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis made a reliable criterion for predicting VS outcome. The tendency of disrupted rhythm of cortisol secretion was found to be most frequent and consistent, with higher rates in the evening hours. The average value of STH was higher in men with sequela of traumatic brain injury who had recovered consciousness versus those who remained in VS. A significant decrease in testosterone levels, regardless of age, was found in the patients with TBI sequela. Mean levels of LH were higher in patients with TBI sequela and hypoxia who remained unconscious versus patients who later restored consciousness. The average level of FSH was higher in patients who had recovered consciousness compared to those who remained in chronic VS. The increased level of natriuretic peptide was observed both in patients who remained in chronic VS and in those who restored consciousness.Conclusions. When investigating levels of certain hormones, no specific endocrine background characterizing this category of patients was found. Abnormal rhythms of some hormones secretion, in particular cortisol, can be considered typical of VS patients especially patients with TBI sequela.

The paper describes two patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDC) because of non-traumatic brain injury, in whom a clear neurodynamic response to Zolpidem was observed.In order to illustrate systemic cerebral responses to administration of this drug in LIC patients, an analysis of clinical and electrophysiological changes has been undertaken.It has been shown that the result of Zolpidem applications in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDC) should be assessed not only by consciousness dynamics, but with the help of electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring, too. Distinct response to Zolpidem during different periods of recovery in one patients was found.Zolpidem can render various effects in patients in vegetative state/with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS) and in minimally conscious state (MCS). In one patient, sedation with EEG activation was observed, which was a sign of favorable prognosis. The other patient developed more than once local convulsions after Zolpidem administration followed by contact augmentation on the next day.The mechanism of action, necessary doses of drugs, and markers of forecasting the successful effect of that drug are yet to be further studied.

A visual display system of changes in the physiological state of patients and their data transmission via optical wireless communication is presented. Existing methods such as bedside monitors do not provide the possibility of visual display of information near the object in conditions of high workload of personnel and allow transmitting data via an electric cable or remotely in the radio frequency range. Such disadvantages reduce the responsiveness of personnel and lead to numerous errors in the transmitted data. A remote operational monitoring system is more effective, providing data collection from sensors, display with minimal delay time and data transmission over an interference-free communication channel in the optical range. A simple and visual way of displaying information allows to quickly and accurately recognize critical situations. The proposed system has two channels. The first channel provides a visual representation of changes in the physiological state on the visual display device in the form of a bracelet. The second channel allows transmitting data about the deviation in the patient’s condition via optical wireless communication in the infrared range of the spectrum for detailed display on a computer. The visual representation of changes in the physiological state is based on programmable change in the color of the LED indicators and on change in their operation modes. The block diagram and design of the visual display and data transmission system are presented. As part of the evaluation of the system operability, the heating of the visual display device in the COMSOL Multiphysics was evaluated. It is shown, that the average heating temperature of the indicator part in contact with human skin does not exceed 24 °C and is safe for the patient. The optical scheme of the receiving unit and the transmitting module is presented. The optical model of the module is presented in the Zemax program. It is shown, that the required average optical power of the working spectral region is 235 μW for the four infrared LEDs and four photodiodes located at a distance of 1 meter. A description of the working layout of a visual display and data transmission device is presented, including a digital pulse sensor and blood oxygen level, a color control and data processing unit, a visual display device, and a data transmission unit. The LEDs operation modes and its compliance with the deviation of the controlled parameters were checked by a special microcontroller program of practical significance. The implementation of the developed system is relevant when monitoring the condition of the object of observation in cases where the use of the radio frequency range is limited and the stability of the data transmission channel to electromagnetic interference plays an important role.