Polyfunctionality of neurons: The blocking of extreme pathological afferentation leads to an improvement of the higher functions of the brain

In this paper, a possible mechanism for improving the functional state of the brain regions maintaining locomotor, visual, auditory, and higher functions of the brain during the correction of the generalized spastic syndrome (botulinotherapy with Xeomin) in patients in the vegetative state (VS) is discussed. If the vegetative state is considered as a stable pathological condition (SPC) of the brain, then, in terms of the theory of the structural-functional organization of brain systems with rigid and flexible elements (N.P. Bechtereva), the therapy led to an unbalance of SPC, functional liberation of neurons, redistribution of their functions to ensure other activities, and the formation of new interneuronal connections. Taking into account the functional variability of neurons (S.V. Medvedev), the blocking of the neuromuscular transmission in spastic muscles reduces the abnormal afferent and efferent hyperactivity of motor and sensory neuronal circuits, which liberates the brain for other activities. Clinically, this allows considering botulinotherapy of drug-resistant muscle spasticity in patients in VS and minimal consciousness not only as a symptomatic treatment but also as indirect neuroprotection.     

Predicting the genome response of the somatic cells of divers to hyperoxic medium]

Cytogenetical consequences of high oxygen pressure action (HOB) have been studied in professional and nonprofessional divers after deepening. Blood samples of subject from both groups were treated with HBO in vitro to compare individual reaction of the somatic cells genome to HOB. The present study reveals that HBO increases the level of chromosome aberrations, and individual response to HBO differs. There is a correlation between the level of chromosome aberrations in vivo and in vitro. This indicates that blood treatment in vitro can reveal the sensitivity of the genome in human before HBO treatment. According to the data in vitro 2 groups of the genome response to HBO: up to 20% and higher than 20% aberrations are distinguished.