Higher Mental Functions Research Articles

Desire to eat and the biology of obesity

Human nutrition constitutes a complex neurophysiological process determined by environmental, genetic, and hormonal factors. Human biology has neuroendocrine signals that trigger hunger, satiety, and determines the extent to which nutrients and certain foods are ingested. The homeostatic system that regulates appetite responds to the energy reserves in the body and to the functional mass of the same. In this participant various tissues, organs, hormones, and neural circuits throughout the body in a feedback loop between the brain and peripheral tissues. In addition, higher mental functions such as memory, attention and emotions are also involved in human nutrition, essential when determining the eating behavior of individuals. The understanding of these neurological mechanisms through chemical neurotransmitters that will be used for emergency cases in diseases related to the desire to eat such as obesity and its comorbidities

Реализация междисциплинарного подхода в психолого-педагогическом сопровождении детей, нуждающихся в длительном лечении в медицинских стационарах

<p style="text-align: justify;">This article is aimed at updating the specifics of implementing an interdisciplinary approach in psychological and pedagogical support for children in need of long-term treatment in medical hospitals. The publication describes the importance and possibilities of team interaction between specialists of helping professions in providing psychological and pedagogical support for children in need of long-term treatment with chronic somatic diseases. To implement an interdisciplinary approach, it was found that it is important to take into account the special needs of children in need of long-term treatment, their psychological and social characteristics. An approach to determining the current emotional state, higher mental functions, and personal characteristics of young patients studying in hospital schools is presented. Based on identified current needs, a comprehensive system of pedagogical rehabilitation and psychological and pedagogical support in a hospital school was formed, and the specifics of correctional and developmental, educational, advisory and preventive work of employees of the psychological and pedagogical support service were determined.</p>

Культурно-историческая теория Л. С. Выготского и советская психология религии: были ли пересечения?

The paper examines the role played by one of the basic Marxist psychological theories in developing Soviet psychology of religion. An attempt is made to find out whether the cultural-historical theory of Lev S. Vygotsky overlapped with this field of knowledge. The author reconstructs a general picture of the objective relationship between cultural-historical theory and Soviet psychology of religion. The nature of this relationship has been identified in four key dimensions: the problems studied, research methodology, academic communities, and academic institutions. The first two dimensions relate to the cognitive aspect of science, the last two – to the social aspect. It is noted that Lev S. Vygotsky’s research did not touch on specific issues of the psychology of religion. The exception is his reference to the problem of magical thinking. Other cultural-historical theorists also did not focus on religious issues. Only a few rare examples of religious life can be found in their works. At the same time, it is argued that the works of cultural-historical theorists were cited by Soviet researchers of religion. However, neither the conceptual ideas of Lev S. Vygotsky (i.e., semiotic mediation, lower and higher mental functions, stages of children’s mental development and age-related new mental structures, etc.) nor his methodological innovations were ever systematically applied and elaborated in Soviet psychology of religion. The paper also finds no trace of an overlap between cultural-historical theory and Soviet psychology of religion in academic communities and institutions, except for the participation of Lev S. Vygotsky and Alexander R. Luria in the discussion of Lucien Lévi-Bruhl’s theory of prelogical thinking, which took place in the 1924-1930s. The article offers explanations for the research results described. Presumably, it was the formation of a negative attitude of science towards religion in the Soviet period under the political and ideological influences that made the meaningful overlap between Lev S. Vygotsky’s cultural-historical theory and the Soviet psychology of religion problematic.

Проявления речевых компетенций у русскоязычных жителей-монолингвов Республики Тыва в условиях естественного тувинско-русского билингвизма

This article features monolingualism in the Tuvan-Russian bilingual community. Language acquisition, especially when it is the second language, follows psychological rather than linguistic patterns, e.g., assimilation and imitation. In this research, we made an attempt to study the individual psychological features of speech as a higher mental function. Our respondents positioned themselves as monolinguals and denied that they had an opportunity to practice their second language. The research objective was to identify and record some linguistic competencies in the Tuvan language in Russian monolinguals, as well as to conduct a qualitative analysis of their language skills. We used such diagnostic methods as clinical interview, observation, and questionnaires to obtain data on some linguistic competencies in the second non-native language spoken by monolinguals. While profiling a typical linguistic personality, we recorded some linguistic competencies in the second language that the respondents were not aware of. In the linguistic environment of the Tyva Republic, monolingualism is possible only at the early stages of cognitive development. In ontogenesis, it transforms into psychological bilingualism, and then into multilingualism. The Russian-speaking monolinguals of the Tuva Republic develop their speech competencies in a natural bilingual environment. As a result of the natural bilingual environment, Russian-speaking monolinguals develop unconscious speech competencies that actually make them bilinguals.

Психометрическая батарея «Многофакторное исследование нейропсихологических особенностей развития» (МИНОР)

Background. Russian neuropsychology lacks a standardised set of methods for quantifying the development of higher mental functions (HMF) from pre-school to high school age. Its application could improve the objectivity of neuropsychological diagnosis. Objectives. The study seeks 1) to create a psychometric battery of methods for multifactorial investigation of neuropsychological development (MIND) in children and adolescents aged 4–17; 2) to describe the trajectories of age-related development of HMF. Study Participants. 860 participants aged 4–17 (M = 10; SD = 3.7), including 558 boys and 302 girls took part in the study. Methods. Neuropsychological assessment was performed using 40 techniques and measuring 171 variables. These variables were standardised and age-adjusted. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was used to find latent variables. The resulting model was applied to age-unadjusted variables to identify developmental trajectories. Results. A model was built with 106 indicators and 21 factors. Four variables were used to construct an additional verbal-logical thinking scale. The general level of development can be reliably measured using 50 variables. These scales are described as age dependent. Conclusions. The MIND psychometric battery for neuropsychological assessment of children and adolescents aged 4–17 has been created. The quantitative evaluation is based on a mathematical description of the age-related development of HMF components.

Постковидный синдром: от биологии к нейропсихологии

Background. Postcovid syndrome or Long COVID is a new term introduced into medical practice by WHO after the COVID -19 pandemic. Long COVID affects patients who have recovered from COVID -19. Objectives. The purpose of this work is to understand cognitive deficits caused by COVID-19 from the point of view of neuropsychology and pathophysiology. Data Sources. Literature search was conducted in the following electronic databases: Pubmed, Google.scholar and Scopus databases. 63 articles were selected. Keywords for the literature review included “neuropsychiatry/neuropsychology”, “pathophysiology”, “COVID-19”, “SARS-CoV-2”. Methods. Review and analysis of COVID-19 studies in terms of its relation to the appearance of cognitive deficits in patients. Results. The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters the human body and affects the structures of the brain. Some of the symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, problems with concentration and memory, loss or change of taste and smell, pain in muscles and joints as well as sleep disorders are preserved in post-COVID period and may be explained by the peculiarity of the virus interaction with central nervous system. Neuropsychological analysis of observed disorders based on the theory of three functional blocks of the brain by A. R. Luria helps to identify the affected zones of the functional systems of higher mental functions (HMF). Neuropsychological assessment makes it possible to plan rehabilitation programme or cognitive training, and help doctor in choosing an adequate drug therapy to compensate for cognitive impairment. Conclusions. SARS-CoV-2 causes damage to brain structures such as the brainstem, limbic system, prefrontal cortex and olfactory tract, which explains the observed symptoms. Neuropsychological diagnostics makes it possible to identify the impaired component of the HMF in patients with post-COVID syndrome, to plan an adequate rehabilitation programme, as well as to choose drug therapy.

Neuropsychological approach in assessing the voluntary attention of younger schoolchildren with different levels of success in learning

This article discusses the features of the neuropsychological approach aimed at overcoming retardations in mental development, preventing and solving emerging difficulties in teaching children of primary school age and involving the construction of psychological and diagnostic work with a child, taking into account his individual typological neuropsychological characteristics: the state of higher mental functions, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, components of the development of higher mental functions. The article contains data on the features of the state of voluntary attention in younger students with different success in educational activities, provides information on the forms of attention, and describes the external manifestations of impaired voluntary attention. The article contains a description of a study conducted among second grade students aimed at assessing such properties of attention as work efficiency, degree of development and mental stability using the “Schulte Table” technique. A detailed comparative analysis of the characteristics of voluntary attention in 81 schoolchildren of 170 a general education school with different success in learning activities is described: successful in learning, with partial and complex learning difficulties. Significant differences were revealed in children of primary school age, depending on the success of education. The importance of timely neuropsychological diagnostics of second graders which helps to identify the neuropsychological causes of partial and complex learning difficulties of children, and also allows to outline ways of corrective and developmental assistance to younger students in order to optimize the state of HMF (higher mental functions) and accordingly, to overcome the educational problems of children of primary school age is actualized.

Neurophysiological cognitive assessment and its association with neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio

Relevance. Cognition is an important physiological and higher mental functions in human being. There are various studies showing that inflammatory condition could negatively affect fronto temporal cognitive abilities such as memory, attention and executive functions. A non-invasive test P300 a component of Auditory events related potentials and Mini mental state examination (MMSE), a questionnaire based test reflect cognitive function, and haematological parameter neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a convenient parameter of systemic inflammation. Aim of present study was to assess the cognitive function assessment by P-300, MMSE and academic performance and find an association with neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in first year medical students. Materials and Methods. This was an observational study conducted on 79 first year medical students of age group 18-25 years in the department of physiology RUHS College of medical sciences Jaipur. For cognitive assessment non-invasive test P300, MMSE and academic performance was recorded. A haematological parameter NLR was calculated by dividing the absolute neutrophil count with the absolute lymphocyte count. To find an association statistical analysis was done by MEDCALC 16.4 version software. Results and Discussion. The association between P-300 amplitude and latency and MMSE with NLR was found non-significant. Marks have a significant positive correlation with NLR (0.015). Conclusion. In the present study neurocognitive function test P-300 and MMSE found non-significant association with inflammatory marker NLR although academic performance (marks) have a significant positive correlation with NLR.

Использование культурно-исторической теории для анализа образовательного неравенства: потенциал, барьеры, перспективы

<p>The cultural-historical theory, which is basic for Soviet and post-Soviet Russian psychological science, is based on the idea of "specifically human" higher mental functions. The key concepts for the theory of "social situation of development", "zone of proximal development" include as a central element the cooperation of the child with other people. The article shows that in the works of followers of cultural-historical theory psychology in the USSR and modern Russia, very little attention was paid to the problems of development and learning related to differences in the characteristics of the sociocultural environment and interaction with teachers and peers. Explanations of this phenomenon are offered. The examples of the development of L.S.Vygotsky's ideas in the studies of educational inequality in foreign sociology are analyzed, the importance for Russian science of using cultural-historical theory to understand the mechanisms of the relationship between the peculiarities of social circumstances and the dynamics of child development, the analysis of pedagogical discourse is substantiated.</p>

Is psychiatric diagnostic remission associated with reduced prevalence of moderate to severe pain interference and improved functioning among adults with lifetime psychiatric disorders?

BackgroundChronic pain and non-substance use psychiatric disorders (PD) are common comorbidities, both associated with impaired functioning. However, whether and how the prevalence of pain differs in remitted PD compared to past-year PD has been little studied. MethodsIn this observational study using data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions III, we compared the prevalence of moderate/severe pain interference (PI) in past-year Vs remitted PD among adults with any lifetime PD. We further studied the association of both PI and PD remission with mental and physical function. ResultsIn a sample representative of 77.9 million US adults with lifetime PDs, 31.7 % met criteria for PD remission. The prevalence and adjusted odds of PI was substantially lower among those with remitted PD compared to past-year PD (21.97 % Vs 35.02 %; p < .0001; Odds ratio 0.58, 95 % confidence interval = 0.51–0.66). While PI was independently associated with poorer mental functioning (Regression coefficient (RC) = −4.43, standard error (SE) = 0.33; p < .0001), PD remission was associated with higher mental functioning (RC = 4.79, SE = 0.24; p < .0001). Both PI and PD remission were independently associated with lower physical functioning, but the association was substantially stronger with PI (RC = −15.04, SE 0.27; p < .0001) than PD remission (RC = −0.37, SE 0.15; p = .016). ConclusionsThe negative association of PD remission with PI and their strong associations with mental functioning, albeit in opposite directions, raises the need to further examine PD as a contributing factor in chronic pain and as a target in its treatment.

НЕВРОЛОГІЧНЕ ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ МОВЛЕННЄВОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ

The article discloses the main results of the study of topical issues of studying the mechanisms of neurological support of speech activity. It was noted that the understanding of the mechanisms of neurological support of speech activity is based: first, on knowledge of the morpho-functional organization of the organs of the peripheral speech apparatus, departments and structural formations of the brain that provide the motor level of the speech-motor mechanism of speech; secondly, the ability to carry out differential diagnosis, to determine the symptoms and mechanisms of speech and motor disorders in organic lesions of the central nervous system (CNS); thirdly, the ability to determine the peculiarities of disturbances in the formation of the phonetic component of the speech system due to organic pathologies of the central nervous system in various forms of dysarthria; fourthly, knowledge of the principles of the functioning of the higher nervous activity of a person and the peculiarities of the course of pathological processes in organic lesions of the cerebral cortex, which lead to speech disorders; fifth, awareness of the organization scheme of the central nervous system, its role in ensuring the speech act; sixth, on knowledge of etiology and pathogenesis, structure of speech defect in various forms of dysarthria, aphasia, characteristics of differential diagnosis of pathologies, signs of paresis and paralysis, main symptoms of movement disorders; seventh, possessing methods of diagnosing the formation of the speech-motor function, appropriate methods of examination of the sound-speech aspect of speech in people with pathologies and interpretation of the identified symptoms, etc. It has been established that higher mental functions are based on the coordinated work of complex functional systems, and not on separate «centers». It is emphasized that the basis of speech is conditioned reflex activity. It is indicated that the nature of brain maturation as a multi-level hierarchical organized system is manifested in the fact that evolutionarily older structures mature earlier. Thanks to two types of feedback - auditory and kinesthetic, the cerebral cortex participates in ensuring the memorization of the correct pronunciation of certain syllables. The speech process is carried out thanks to the complex coordinated interaction of different levels of the nervous system, respiratory organs, phonation and articulation. It is substantiated that the study of the neurophysiological basis of the functioning of speech systems contributes to the formation of an idea about the mechanisms of generation and perception of speech-language expressions by a person and the pathogenesis of speech disorders in local organic lesions of the cerebral cortex and other pathologies. Keywords: speech activity, neurology, higher nervous activity, speech apparatus, pathology, education, science.

The influence of pretend ‘technologies’ on children’s cognitive development in symbolic play

ABSTRACT This research seeks to understand developmental processes of cognition, especially as these processes become observable in children’s role-play. In seeking to understand cognitive development in young children, we focus on how children incorporate pretend ‘technologies’ in role-play, such as non-operational cell phones, through pretend conversations and actions in the play episode. In observations with two preschool classes of four-year-old children, role-play that involved pretend ‘technologies’ was analyzed as to its effect on children’s ability to think abstractly and to form mental representations. This qualitative study collected observations and documentation of children’s actions and words as they played, coded and analyzed through constant comparison. Two findings were identified indicating that role-play using pretend ‘technologies’ promotes expansion of children’s abstract thought; and role-play with pretend ‘technologies’ enhances children’s perceptions and enactments of dual representation. With further examination, we distilled three ways that abstract thought and dual representation occurred during role-play with pretend ‘technologies’: through children’s symbolic understanding and actions, higher mental functions when interacting with pretend ‘technologies’, and children’s on-and-off line cognitive functions when operating pretend ‘technologies’. This study suggests that there are many benefits of children engaging in pretend play and that incorporating technology in the play scenario amplifies cognitive benefits.

PECULIARITIES OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SCHOOL IN LITERATURE AND LINGUISTICS AT THE XX CENTURY

Summary. The development history and peculiarities of the psychological school in literature and linguistics at the 20th century acquires a new meaning and is updated in our time. Modern social circumstances create a need for a modern interpretation of domestic psychological thought the formation of the psychological school at the 20th century and its development at the 21st century. The problem of understanding social, cultural, political and ethnic aspects is particularly relevant, as a source base for elucidating many factors in the psychological thought formation, revealing the dynamics of ethnogenesis, the process of mental reality subjects self-awareness. Psychological knowledge, reinterpreted by a researcher of the history of psychology, makes it possible to choose the right vector in understanding the polyphony of the modern psychological paradigm. The purpose of the article is to consider the significant contribution of psychological school representatives, who focused their attention on the study of artistic creativity and language from the point of view of the psychological component and eidos. The main goals of the article are: to consider the theory of imagery of O. O. Potebnya and thorough works of his followers; to determine the influence of the psychological school on the development of philological science. To reach goals set in the work few methods were used: information analysis method, synthesis method, descriptive method. The methodological basis of the study is the basic literature provisions of the eidos theory. In domestic literary studies, the theoretical foundations of the psychological school were laid by the works of O. O. Potebny (the theory of the «inner form of the word» and the «inner form of art» – the work «Thought and Language»). D. M. Ovsyaniko-Kulikovsky and L. S. Vygotsky are considered the most outstanding followers of O. O. Potebnya. Under the influence of the works of O. O. Potebnya, D. M. Ovsyaniko-Kulikovsky developed a persistent desire to approach any phenomenon of language and literature in order to reveal its psychological essence. The psychological method with a sociological orientation becomes the main one in the literary activity of D. M. Ovsyaniko-Kulikovsky. «Cultural-historical theory», developed by L. S. Vygotsky, became one of the most important theories formed in the 1920s and 1930s. L. S. Vygotsky reflects on the specifics of the inner, mental world of a person, defines the mechanisms of its formation, distinguishes two levels of mental functions – natural and higher. Natural functions characterize a person as a natural being, and higher mental functions are mediated – this is imagination, purposeful thinking, etc. Conclusions. The psychological school is of inescapable importance for the development of modern literary studies and language. It is indisputable that turning to the problems of language and thinking, to the theory of artistic imagery, to the psychology of creativity and the perception of artistic works in the study of the historical-literary process contributed to the development of philological science.

Театрально-ігрова діяльність як засіб розвитку культури мовлення дітей старшого дошкільного віку

The general characteristics of theater and game activities in preschool education institutions as a means of developing the speech culture of senior preschool children are presented. The interdependence of the development of communication skills with the successful socialization of a child and his/her education at school, the importance of speech in the formation of child’s higher mental functions is substantiated. It is emphasized that speech culture is an indispensable element of general human culture; theatrical and game activities make it possible to develop the abilities of each child, to form creative imagination, communication skills; the main tasks of speech development are defined as: education of the sound culture of speech, enrichment and activation of the vocabulary of preschool children, formation of the grammatical structure of speech, formation of coherent speech skills. The essence of the concepts of «speech culture» and «theatrical and game activity» is defined. The classification of theatrical games depending on their type and specific plot and role content is presented: director’s games and dramatization games; it is noted that theatrical activity is a specific type of children’s activity, one of the most favorite types of creativity. The types of theatrical activity of senior preschoolers are presented, which are classified according to the method of organization (individual or collective games), content of theatrical activity (games based on the plots of literary works, dramatization games, staging), types of game material (puppet theater, toy theater, finger theater, etc.). It is indicated that children of senior preschool age already have a certain amount of game skills: to build a plot plan, distribute and assign roles, independently prepare attributes and scenery, use methods of collective communication. Senior preschoolers can also change the beginning and end of familiar plots, invent the course of events which the character gets into, introduce new characters into the storyline. Keywords: speech development, speech culture, senior preschool children, preschool education institution, theater and game activity.

Management of “Wernick’s Aphasia” through Ayurveda- A Case Study.

Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage in a specific area of the brain that controls language expression and comprehension. It is most commonly seen in individuals post-stroke. Roughly 25%–50% of all strokes result in aphasia and 15 % of individuals under the age of 65 years experience aphasia after their first ischemic stroke. Treatments such as speech therapy can often help recover some speech and language functions over time, but many people continue to have problems in communicating. The signs and symptoms of Aphasia may be correlated with diseases such as Jihwasthambaand Arditain Ayurveda. According to Acharya Yogaratnakara, the same treatment principles explained in Ardita Chikitsahave to be followed in Jihwasthamba. The article deals with a diagnosed case of Wernicke's Aphasia and its management through Ayurveda. The description of this case aims to further the understanding of the benefits that this type of medicine may provide to poststroke patients living with aphasia. Here the line of treatment was not completely based on the classical Ardita Chikita, prime importance was given to the condition Aphasia. Assessments weretaken before treatment and after treatment. Marked relief was noted in symptoms like aphasia, higher mental function, and memory. The recovery was promising and worth documenting.

Electronic Means of Communication as a Means of Remote Speech Therapy for Adult Stroke Survivors

The article discusses the types of strokes, general statistics and prevalence of strokes in the world and in Ukraine. The survey and tendencies to occurrence in younger people were carried out; the factors of stroke occurrence in young people have been studied. Statistics on the uneven distribution of strokes by gender were analyzed. It has been determined that women are at higher risk of suffering a severe or fatal stroke than men. The main reasons for such statistics are indicated. The main types of speech and language impairments that can occur after cerebral circulatory disorders are analyzed. The leading signs of aphasia, apraxia and dysarthria in adults have been identified. The definition of progressive apraxia of speech is revealed. It is established that these disorders occur due to damage to the language areas of the brain. The advantages of using electronic means of communication in speech-language therapy during quarantine restrictions and martial law in Ukraine are revealed. Software and messengers were characterised, such as Google Meet, Zoom, Teams, and Skype, that are used during distance and/or face-to-face sessions with a speech language pathologist. The main advantages of using these programs and the requirements for a speech language pathologist in the use of electronic means of communication are described. The concept of "social networks" and their impact on the rehabilitation of adult patients is revealed. The positive aspects of using social networks with adults during speech-language therapy, in particular Instagram and Facebook, are highlighted. Mobile applications are described as an additional means of restoring various aspects of speech, language and higher mental functions. It is noted that the current situation in the country, taking into account quarantine restrictions and martial law, can not provide full, continuous and quality speech language therapy in these cases, which leads to the conclusion that the lack of effectiveness of using exclusively traditional methods and techniques to compensate speech and language disorders caused by stroke, and encourages further search for ways to improve it by electronic means of communication. The author sees the need for a research aimed at studying the use of electronic means of communication in speech language therapy for people who have suffered a stroke.

Живая субъективность и культурно-исторический метод: границы применимости

Background. Any method of research or influence has limits of applicability. Determining the limits of applicability of the cultural-historical approach will reveal new phenomena in the study of living subjectivity that cannot be investigated within the framework of the cultural-historical approach to the psyche. Objective of the study was to determine the limits of applicability of the cultural-historical method and to describe new mental phenomena, the study of which requires fundamentally different methodological approaches.Methods. The material is the author’s and his colleagues’ long-term research in the field of functioning and development of consciousness. The method involved logical analysis when comparing the cultural-historical approach to psyche and the approach based on intuitive-reflective self-observation of living subjectivity. Results. The analysis showed that cultural-historical method and socio-cultural method derived from it, aim at managing subjectivity with the help of objectified structures of the psyche — sign-symbolic formations such as speech, logical thinking, scientific concepts, social norms or culturally developed perceptual patterns. At the same time, the “fossils of living subjectivity” — symbols and signs, scientific concepts, schemes, algorithms, norms, theories, and others — are “psychological tools” that mediate the operation of living subjectivity. All directions in Russian psychology within this approach originated from this approach — the assertion of the leading role of speech in the development of the higher mental functions (HMF) by L.S. Vygotsky, the concept of the orienting basis of action (IBA) by P.Ya. Galperin, school programs for teaching concepts by D.B. Elkonin and V.V. Davydov, neuropsychological methods by A.R. Luria, studies of the development of voluntary movements by A.V. Zaporozhets and others. All these approaches worked; however, the living subjectivity remained a mystery. On the contrary, the method applicable to the study of living subjectivity can be called the method of “releasing impact” — an experiment based on self-observation and self-report in conditions where the subject can freely structure reality. Conclusion. The cultural-historical method is effective in teaching ready-made knowledge at school, in developing skills, restoring lost cognitive functions in patients, or shaping cognitive and socio-moral forms of behavior based on external control. However, this method is not applicable to living subjectivity — experiences, the motivational-semantic sphere based on the magical laws of participation, emotional sphere and creative thinking, since this method considers a person as an object. The principles of studying living subjectivity are proposed, practical approaches to influence living subjectivity, as well as the contradictions and dangers associated with them are analyzed.

The pattern of neurological manifestations of tuberculosis among adult patients attending multineurological centres and hospitals in Sudan: A hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Tuberculosis (TB) can involve almost any organ of the body. In the central nervous system (CNS), it can cause Pott's disease, meningitis, tuberculoma, abscess, or other manifestations. Tuberculosis is rampant in the developing world and has become a significant public health menace with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) dissemination. This study aimed to determine the frequency of neurological manifestations of tuberculosis among adult Sudanese patients. A hospital-based cross-sectional study carried out in the period from September to December 2020 at multineurological centers and hospitals in Khartoum State, including Ibrahim Malik Teaching Hospital, Alshaab Teaching Hospital, Bashier, Abu Anga, Omdurman Teaching Hospitals, included adult patients diagnosed with tuberculosis-associated neurological manifestations. The data were collected by predesigned questionnaire, and then analyzed by computer using SPSS-version 25. A total of 43 patients were evaluated, male patientswere 24 (55.8%)and female patientswere 19 (44.2%). About 31 (72.1%) of the participants had extra-pulmonary TBand 12 (27.9%) had pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB. The neurological manifestations of tuberculosis include Pott's disease in 29 (67.4%) patients (with thoracic spine most affected part), tuberculoma was second-most, occurring in 8(18.7%) patients (with a single lesion in most of the patients), whereas tuberculous meningitis was found in 6 (13.9%). Clinical presentation was headache in 14 (32.6%) patients, convulsions in 10 (23.3%), loss of consciousness in 9 (20.9%), hemiparesis in 7 (16.3%) patients, and paraparesis in 23 (53.5%). Cranial nerve affected in 5 (11.6%) patients. All patients received antituberculosis medication and steroids, and 10 (23.2%) received anticonvulsants. Neurological tuberculosis should be ruled out in any young male from an endemic area who exhibits abnormalities in motor, sensory, special sense, or higher mental function. To avoid potentially fatal complications, diagnosesand treatments should be initiated as soon as possible.

ПОПЕРЕДЖЕННЯ ПОРУШЕНЬ ПИСЕМНОГО МОВЛЕННЯ В ДІТЕЙ ДОШКІЛЬНОГО ВІКУ ІЗ ЗАТРИМКОЮ ПСИХІЧНОГО РОЗВИТКУ

This study is devoted to the problem of prevention of written language disorders in preschool children with intellectual disability. Based on the synthesis of previous pedagogical studies, it is known that writing, as higher mental function, is considered to be highly complex system, which involves all components of the structural and functional organization of the brain; it is also known that underdevelopment of any of these components leads to difficulties in the formation of writing abilities. It is determined that underdevelopment or impairment of one of the structural components of writing activity, or the mental functions that complement it, leads to the impairment or underdevelopment of writing activity as a whole; it was identified that in children with an intellectual disability, there is a relationship between a low level of formation of cognitive functions and aspects of independent planning, control and evaluation of outcomes of actions. Based on to the results of a pedagogical experiment, we demonstrated that the insufficient formation of motor control and cognitive skills in preschool children with intellectual disability resulted in these children's inclusion in the dysgraphia's «risk group». We justified the importance of prevention of written language disorders in preschool children with intellectual disability through speech therapy with neuropsychological corrections, which is grounded on the intentional formation of motor (general motor and graphomotor) and cognitive skills, which should positively affect the development of mental functions in preschool children with intellectual disability, and enable them to be better prepared for schooling, including successful acquisition of writing skills. Key words: impairment of written speech, retardation of mental development, prevention of impairments, preschool children, speech therapy work, programming, regulation, control, motor functions, cognitive functions.

Speech Therapy as a Component of Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Patients with Acute Impairment of Cerebral Circulation

The article reveals the essence of speech and speech therapy as a component of the rehabilitation process in restoring the health of patients who have suffered acute impairment of cerebral circulation. The concept of cerebral vascular insufficiency was analyzed, which refers to cerebral physiological changes in old age and associated conditions of speech impairment. Vascular diseases of the brain are not only a medical problem, but also a social one: they cause enormous damage to the economy, considering the costs of treatment, medical rehabilitation, and losses in production. The effectiveness of motor recovery after an ischemic stroke in the early recovery period depends largely on timely rehabilitation. Physical exercises have a positive effect on the recovery of the body systems of people who have had an ischemic stroke. The most frequent consequences of stroke in about 40-50% of the total number of patients are disorders of speech function, manifested in the form of aphasia and dysarthria, which are often combined with pathology of other higher mental functions (various types of agnosia and apraxia). Today, speech therapy is practiced by specialists both as a separate method and in combination with other techniques, and is used in individual and group work, including work with patients who have had an acute impairment of cerebral circulation.