Late Ontogenesis Research Articles

Positive and negative paradigms of personal functioning and development in the pre-retirement and retirement ages

The presented article is devoted to the problem of identifying and describing life paradigms in old age. The theoretical part shows the advantages of the paradigmatic approach in gerontopsychological research. The value of its variability is emphasized, when paradigms can be changed, modified or evaluated in accordance with established personal meanings and values. The theoretical part also analyzes the existing models of life paradigms in late ontogenesis. Special attention is paid to paradigms that include a victimological context. It is shown that foreign paradigms, in particular, the paradigms of yoga and the "American dream" cannot be successfully implemented into Russian culture due to value contradictions. It is noted that the least studied element of life paradigms are the principles of life, which have become the subject of study in the empirical part of the study. Biographical, autobiographical and meaningful content analysis were used as research methods. The material of the analysis was the content of forums on the Internet dedicated to the problems of the elderly, the participants of which were pre-retirees and pensioners. The scientific novelty of the study consists in identifying and describing the basic and particular life principles that make up the positive and negative paradigms in later life. Thus, such general principles as concreteness, anticipativeness, variability, priority, anxiety, vulnerability, responsibility, forgiveness, etc. were formulated. It is concluded that the positive paradigm in old age is an anti–victim paradigm, that is, a behavior model based on the anti-victim Self-concept that ensures the safety of the individual in old age, and an ineffective one is victimized, contributing to the transformation of an elderly person into a victim of circumstances, primarily subjective. Life paradigms in old age should change with changes in living conditions and health conditions. The paradigmatic principles differ depending on gender.

Tactile stimulation of young WAG/Rij rats prevents development of depression but not absence epilepsy.

Investigations in Wistar Albino Glaxo from Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rats that are susceptible to genetic absence epilepsy have demonstrated that environmental modifications affect absence seizures. Previously, we showed that neonatal tactile stimulations produce disease-modifying effect on genetically determined absence epilepsy and associated depression in Wag/Rij rats. The study presented here examined the effect of TS during late ontogenesis (adolescence and young adulthood) on epilepsy and depression outcomes in this genetically epileptic rat strain. On postnatal day (PND) 38, male WAG/Rij rats randomly were assigned to either the tactile stimulation (TS), handled or control group (unhandled) with 8 animals in each group. Following a 7-day adaptation period to their new surroundings, the animals were submitted to tactile stimulation from PND 45 to PND 90, five days per week, for 5 min daily. The tactile-stimulated rat was removed from its cage, placed on the experimenter's lap, and had its neck and back gently stroked by the researcher. The handled rats were taken to another cage and left alone for 5 min daily from PND 45 to PND 90. The control rats were left undisturbed in their home cage, except for regular cage cleaning. After PND 90, all rats were left undisturbed until behavioral testing and EEG recording. When the animals were 7 months old, they were subjected to the sucrose consumption test (SCT) and the forced swimming test (FST). Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were made at 8 months of age in order to measure electroencephalographic seizure activity, thus, the spike-wave discharges (SWDs). Tactile-stimulated rats showed increased sucrose consumption and number of approaches to the sucrose solution in the SCT when compared with the handled and control rats. In the FST, rats in TS group showed lower immobility time and greater immobility latency, active swimming time and diving frequency than the handled and control rats. The duration and the number of seizures were not different amongst the groups. The data obtained suggest that TS in young rats is able to prevent depression in WAG/Rij rats.

Исследование субъективного возраста людей позднего онтогенеза, постоянно проживающих в учреждениях социального обслуживания

How old people feel compared to their actual age, i.e. their "subjective age", is a central indicator of individual aging experience and predicts developmental outcomes, including health and mortality. Despite many foreign studies demonstrating the importance of studying subjective age, especially in late ontogenesis, the category of subjective age in Russian psychology is practically not studied. The paper deals with the results of an empirical research, the purpose of which was to study subjective age as a cognitive and emotional resource in relation to self-assessment of health and subjective well-being of people aged 49-93 who permanently reside (more than 1 year) in geriatric centers. A total sample (N = 155) is analyzed in subgroups depending on gender, age (49-64 years; 65-74 years; 75-93 years) and objective health status (disability group or its absence). The following methods were used: "Age-of-Me" by B. Barak, SF-36 Health Status Survey, Subjective Happiness Scale by S. Lyubomirsky, Satisfaction with Life Scale by E. Diener. It is shown that people who permanently reside in geriatric centers have a positive illusion of age assessment, on average, equal to 8.8 years, i.e. they perceive themselves as younger than chronological age. The subjective age of men and women, as well as people of different ages, has no statistically significant differences. People with disability group I (people with the most severe health restrictions) assess their subjective age younger than people with disability group II and III, which may indicate the actualization of compensation and hypercompensation mechanisms that allow them to live despite serious physical health restrictions and feel happy and perceive themselves younger than their age. The greater the cognitive illusion of age, i.e., the younger a person feels, the higher the indicators of subjective well-being and quality of life associated with health. People who perceive themselves to be younger than the chronological age have higher quality of life indicators compared to people who assess their age equally to the chronological age.

Морфологічна диференціація Anura (Amphibia) у пізньому онтогенезі: аналіз популяцій Rana temporaria з регіону Карпат

The study is devoted to the morphological features of the common frog of the Carpathian region of Ukraine, namely the expression, directionality and structure of sexual differences of this species. The work uses data obtained as a result of the processing of the scientific collection of Rana temporaria (Linnaeus, 1758) from the territory of the Ukrainian Carpathians (Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Zakarpattia oblasts), which is housed at the National Museum of Natural History, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv). A total of 381 common frog specimens were studied—233 males (L = 24.6–84.5 mm) and 148 females (L = 23.2–94.2 mm). It is shown that individual differences in linear dimensions and body proportions in a sample of common frog males and females are structured and clearly reflect the morphological differentiation of individuals according to the age criterion. In the late ontogenesis of the common frog, generalised sex-related differences extend with the increasing age of individuals: in juveniles SqMD = 2.36, in subadults SqMD = 4.77, and in adults SqMD = 22.08. At the same time, not only does the expression of sex-related differences increase, but also their orientation changes significantly. According to our data, this year’s juveniles (juvenis) are individuals that did not winter at all (0+). At the same time, males are reliably (t = 4.50; p < 0.001) larger in body length (24.6–37.5 mm; Lmean = 29.87 mm) than females (23.2–32.7 mm; Lmean = 26.40 mm). But already in the group of semi-adult (subadultus) frogs, the orientation of sexual dimorphism in terms of body length changes completely—females are reliably larger than males, which is even more pronounced in adult, sexually mature individuals. Males of tailless amphibians grow and physiologically mature faster than females, so they begin to reproduce 1–2 years earlier. Females, which grow more slowly and mature later, join the reproduction having a larger size and older age. It is shown that sexual differences begin to form in the subadultus group. The generalised differences (SqMD) by sex are significantly smaller than by age. Adult sexually mature females compared to males are characterised by larger values of 18 body parameters, except for shoulder length (H.) and elbow joint diameter (Cr.a.c.), which are most reliably larger in males. These features of the proportions of the limbs provide the male with reliable holding of the female during mating (amplexus).

UNCOUPLING PROTEIN UCP1 EXPRESSION DYNAMICS IN ADIPOSE TISSUES OF THE OUTBRED ICR MICE IN POSTNATAL ONTOGENESIS

Uncoupling protein (UCP1) uncouples mitochondrial respiration from ATP synthesis, resulting in heat production in brown and beige adipocytes. The presence of adipocytes with UCP1 expression in fat depots has been shown to promote metabolic health and provide protection against metabolic disorders. It stimulates interest in studying the age dynamics of UCP1 expression. There are few data available, mainly obtained on the C57Bl/6J mouse line predisposed to obesity and cover either early or late ontogenesis. In our study, for the first time, the expression of the UCP1 protein in the adipose tissues of male ICR mice was studied from the weaning to old age. Interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT), inguinal and perigonadal white adipose tissue (IWAT and GWAT) of 20-day, 1.5, 6, 18 months mice were collected. UCP1 levels were detected by western-blotting. IWAT UCP1 expression decreased by 2 times between 20 days and 1.5 months. No UCP1 bands on blots from mice older than 1.5 months were observed. In gonadal depot UCP1 was detected only in 30% of the samples from 1.5- and 6‑months old mice, and UCP1 expression level was ten times lower in compare to inguinal depot. No statistically significant changes in UCP1 protein expression were detected in brown adipose tissue. The physiological role of UCP1-expressing cells in GWAT is discussed, as well as a possible relationship between the timing and rate of UCP1 expression decrease during the growth and maturation of reproductive function with the activation of lipogenesis in inguinal adipose tissue.

Розумова працездатність та когнітивні функції як концепт здорового способу життя у похилому віці

mental working capacity and cognitive functions in advanced age are the leading indicators of the active functioning of the state of the psyche, which reflects its main properties: attention, perception, thinking, memory. With the help of physical activity, mental activity and cognitive functions prolong vitality in the period of late ontogenesis. the objective of our research was to substantiate the mental working capacity and the level of cognitive functions in the context of a healthy lifestyle of the elderly. to achieve the objectives set in the research, a complex of interconnected and complementary methods was used, which were applied at the theoretical and empirical levels: theoretical (analysis and synthesis, generalization), pedagogical, sociological, psychodiagnostic and mathematical statistics. 187 men aged 60-65 participated in the study. the average passport age was 63.2 years. Research findings. the paper defines the concept of a healthy lifestyle in advanced age, determines the level of mental working capacity and cognitive functions of elderly men as important health components of the people of the third age. Conclusions. During the study of mental working capacity and cognitive functions of the elderly as a concept of a healthy lifestyle, it was determined that the need for activity is quite high. the indicators of cognitive functions were found to be within the norm of most of the respondents. 11.2 % of the participants were diagnosed with cognitive impairment and 2.6 % were diagnosed with mild dementia. It was pointed out that among persons aged 60-65, among indicators of mental working capacity, 10.7 % of men corresponded to a high level. We believe, therefore, that in modern conditions, the issue of organizing spare time of the elderly requires special attention. the complexity of solving this problem lies in the lack of norms and rules for the regulation of the leisure sphere, the lack of specialists in the leisure sphere who would possess new technologies of its organization.

Victimological Aspects of Human Capital in Old Age

The presented article is devoted to the problem of the formation and use of human capital in old age. It is shown that modern studies of human capital focus on the psychological characteristics of this phenomenon, including the study of late ontogenesis. Particular attention is paid to the victimological characteristics of human capital in old age, which is implicitly present in a number of scientific studies, but is not specifically singled out as a special layer of research. As a research method, a case method was used with subsequent processing of case texts by the method of meaningful content analysis. Two types of cases were created: generalized, reflecting typical problems of the elderly, and individually defined, fixed on a pronounced fact, but having a general social significance in the future. The material of the cases was conversations with older people, materials from the media, examples from judicial practice, etc. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the application of the victimological approach, which consists in highlighting the victim problems of human capital in the elderly, as well as in suggesting ways to neutralize some of the victim factors affecting on older people. It is noted that human capital in old age has both advantages and disadvantages compared to other ages. It has been revealed that the traditionally distinguished advantages of old age in knowledge, experience and professionalism can become, if they are not in demand, factors of victimization of both the elderly themselves and their environment. It is concluded that one of the significant elements of human capital in old age is the psychological readiness for life in late ontogenesis based on special knowledge and skills, including financial planning for this period of life. The results of the work can be used in the development of social programs to help the elderly, including programs that teach the rational use of human capital.

Исследование субъективного качества жизни и субъективного благополучия в позднем онтогенезе

Currently, the problem of finding ways of positive/optimal functioning of the personality is becoming highly relevant. This is particularly significant in late ontogenesis. The paper deals with the results of an empirical research, the purpose of which was to study the features of subjective well-being and health-related quality of life of people aged 49-93 who permanently reside (more than 1 year) in a geriatric center. A total sample (N = 155) is analyzed in subgroups depending on gender, age (49-64 years; 65-74 years; 75-93 years) and objective health status (disability group or its absence). The following methods were used: SF-36 Health Status Survey, Subjective Happiness Scale by S. Lyubomirsky, Satisfaction with Life Scale by E. Diener. The health self-esteem is shown to be rather low and is characterized by heterogeneity, while the level of subjective well-being corresponds to the average interval. Health-related quality of life, satisfaction with life, and subjective happiness are correlated. Men rate their health higher than women on all indicators. With increasing age, health-related quality of life decreases (except for the indicator “Physical functioning” (PF)). At the same time, there are gender differences in dynamics. Health self-esteem has no connection with the objective state of somatic health, except for the indicator “Physical functioning” (PF). Satisfaction with life and subjective happiness have no correlations with chronological age, as well as they have no differences in groups of people of different ages and genders. The objective state of health does not affect satisfaction with life but affects subjective happiness. The presence of deficit aspects (high chronological age and the 1st disability group) manifests itself an increasing number of correlations between subjective well-being and health-related quality of life. In general, it can be noted that people with different objective and subjective health assessments feel happy and satisfied with their lives. This, in our opinion, is provided by relying on intrapersonal resources. The research contributes to the formation of the idea of the aging as a period of development and the subjective resources of successful aging as well.

The study of subjective and personal characteristics in line with the system-subject approach

The paper deals with the category formation of "subject" in Russian psychology in line with the subject-activity approach of S.L. Rubinshtein. Then the idea of the subject was developed in the works of A.V. Brushlinsky, as well as in the systemic-subjective approach of E.A. Sergienko. It is shown that S.L. Rubinshtein formulated the position about the subject as an active doer, the creator of his life and history. This position was further significantly enriched by A.V. Brushlinsky due to his continuum-genetic theory and resulted in a new direction – the subject psychology as an integrative study of human psychology. The system-subject approach of E.A. Sergienko is a development of the subject psychology and combines systemic and subject-activity approaches. It substantiates the level understanding of the criteria of subjectivity. It is proposed to consider the categories of subject and personality in the unity of individuality, but at the same time having their own specifics. The personality is a nuclear, content aspect (generation of meanings, values, orientation). While the subject is an individual opportunity for choices, goals, and the implementation of tasks, taking into account both situations, as well as individual orientation and interactions’ meanings. The specific functions of the subject and personality are described. The development concept of subject and personality at the entire ontogenesis stage is presented. A processual understanding of psychological maturity is proposed. Studies clarifying and verifying the system-subject approach are summarized: the subject and the personality characteristics of people of different professions in relation to the time perspective; mental resources for regulating behavior at the late ontogenesis stage. It is concluded that the development principle and the subject psychology can become the basis for a holistic study of human psychology and the unification of various schools and paradigms, theory and practice.

Changes in Metabolic Parameters of Rats in Different Age Periods After Prenatal Stress

INTRODUCTION: Currently, biomedical specialists give special attention to studying the influence of stressogenic factors on an organism of a pregnant woman, the embryonic development of the fetus and the subsequent development of offspring in the early and late ontogenesis. It has been found in a number of studies that prenatal stress can lead to reduction of physical activity and hormonal disorders. The factors leading to disorders in regulation of immune and metabolic homeostasis have been identified. Despite considerable interest in the study of the consequences of prenatal stress, its impact on changes in metabolic intensity in different periods of postnatal ontogenesis in animals of different genders has not been sufficiently studied.
 AIM: To study parameters of metabolism intensity in different age periods of postnatal ontogenesis in rats offspring of both genders after intrauterine stress load.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stress load was modeled in daily forced swimming of pregnant rats at 1012C for 5 min. Oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide excretion (ml/h/kg), and heat exchange (kcal/h/kg) in male and female rats were determined using a Phenomaster automated modular unit (TSE Systems GmbH, Germany) on the 21st, 30th and 60th day of the ontogenesis. Statistical significance of differences between the studied parameters was assessed using Mann-Whitney U-test for independent groups.
 RESULTS: The study parameters of intact animals practically did not differ in the suckling (the 21st day) and infantile period (the 30th day), but significantly decreased in the juvenile period of development (the 60th day). It was found that the intrauterine stress did not lead to statistically significant changes in the absolute values of metabolic parameters as compared to the control, but affected the period of appearance of age-related variations of these parameters in male rats. In these animals, the volumes of oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide excretion, and the level of heat radiation reduced as early as in the infantile period (as compared to 21-day-old rats) and reached the minimum level by the 60th day of the postnatal ontogenesis. In female rats subjected to intrauterine stress, changes in the study parameters in different periods of life were similar to those of intact animals.
 CONCLUSION: Therefore, prenatal stress modeled by swimming of female parents in cold water, has a modulating effect on age-related dynamics of metabolic parameters of male rats, which was manifested by the decrease in these parameters in the earlier period of development.

ОТНОШЕНИЕ КО ВРЕМЕНИ И СВОЕМУ ВОЗРАСТУ ВО ВЗАИМОСВЯЗИ С ПСИХОЛОГИЧЕСКИМ БЛАГОПОЛУЧИЕМ И САМООЦЕНКОЙ ЗДОРОВЬЯ НА ЭТАПЕ ПОЗДНЕГО ОНТОГЕНЕЗА

The aim of the work is to study time perspective and subjective age as determinants of psychological well-being and health-related life quality of people at the late ontogenesis stage, leading a different lifestyle. Based on the results of the ZPTI Questionnaire (F. Zimbardo), «Age-of-me» (B. Barak), SF-36 «Health status survey» and «Psychological well-being Scales» (К. Riff) the features of the time perspective, subjective age, health self-assessment and psychological well-being are analyzed in groups of pensioners (58–93 years old) leading a different lifestyle: elderly non-working people who receive home-based social services and elderly non-working people which lead an active lifestyle. It is shown that the categories «time perspective» and «subjective age» express a person’s attitude to time, but relate to different aspects of individuality. Subjective age is more connected with the assessment of physical health status — the physical component of health-related life quality. Time perspective is more connected with personal characteristics — psychological component of health-related life quality; psychological well-being. Self-assessment of health and psychological well-being are closely correlated with the attitude to the present and the past. While the future is in a zone of high uncertainty. The younger the subjective age, the higher the indicators of psychological well-being and health-related life quality. An active lifestyle is a resource that allows pensioners to assess biological and social subjective age younger, be more future-oriented, and have higher indicators of health-related life quality. Health limitations and home lifestyle observed in a reduced health self-assessment and close correlations of all the variables studied. The 65–74 years period, compared to the 58–64 and 75–93 years periods, is characterized by higher indicators of life quality, psychological well-being and the predominance of a balanced time perspective. The main changes in the late-aged people life begin after the age of 75: a decrease in all indicators of health-related life quality and psychological well-being (except for «Autonomy»), as well as an increased focus on the «Fatalistic Present». Thus, the research shows the correlations between attitude to time and age and psychological well-being and health self-assessment. There is almost no study of subjective age in our country. Therefore our work allows us to expand knowledge about subjective age in the Russian sample.

LIFE QUALITY AND TIME PERSPECTIVE AT THE LATE ONTOGENESIS STAGE

The article deals with the peculiarities of psychological and physical health components as the life quality indicators in correlation with the time perspective at the late ontogenesis stage (aged 58–93) in groups of people leading different lifestyles: elderly non-working people who are at home-based social services; elderly non-working people, leading an active lifestyle. It has been established that subjective indicators of life quality is at the rather low level and decreases with age. An active lifestyle, as well as cohabitation living, contributes to keep higher life quality. The prevailing temporal orientations in the general sample are «Future» and «Positive Past». A balanced time perspective is observed in one third of respondents. The Past and the Present are correlated, while the mode of the future is isolated. Active pensioners are more future-oriented then the older people at social services. The age of 64–75 years is the most balanced, when all three aspects of time are actualised and integrated in the personality time perspective. Single or cohabiting living does not affect the personality time perspective. The life quality is correlated with the time perspective: the factors «Hedonistic present», «Fatalistic present» and «Negative past» are mainly related to the psychological component of health and its parameters.

Subjective life quality, psychological well-being and attitude to the time perspective as well as age among pensioners leading different lifestyles

The article deals with the subjective assessment peculiarities of psychological and physical health components as indicators of life quality in correlation with psychological well-being, time perspective and subjective age in the late ontogenesis stage (58–93 years). The analysis of general patterns was carried out by age groups: 58–64, 65–74 and 75–93 years old, as well as lifestyle: elderly non-working people who receive home-based social services and elderly non-working people which lead an active lifestyle. It is shown that subjective indicators of life quality are at a rather low level and they decrease with age. However, the level of overall psychological well-being and its components correspond to a high and medium interval. The prevailing time orientations are “Positive past” and “Future” (the nearest time perspective); a balanced time perspective was found in a third of respondents. In assessing subjective age, there is a positive illusion which consists of perceiving oneself as being younger than the chronological age. An active lifestyle contributes to maintaining higher assessments of life quality level, orientation towards the future and a positive illusion of assessing subjective age. It is observed that people living with relatives or a caregiver, in comparison with those living alone, have a higher level of life quality and higher scores on the “Positive relationships with others” indicator of “Psychological well-being scale”. The period of 64–75 years is characterized by higher indicators of life quality, psychological well-being and the predominance of a balanced time perspective. Among the studied factors, psychological well-being is most closely correlated with the self-assessment of health (physical and psychological components). The time perspective is more correlated with the psychological component of health, while the subjective age is associated with the physical component. At the same time, there is a group specificity in the number and nature of correlations, depending on age and lifestyle, which indicates the role of subjective and objective factors in psychological well-being.

Mental Resources of Late Ontogenesis

The results of three studies of the mental resources of the elderly and old age are presented. The total sample size was 464 people aged 55 to 90 years. A study was made of mental resources (subjective age, cognitive and affective components of Theory of Mind), as well as the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. In all studies, the subjective age and the quality of life and health were studied as indicators of successful aging. The importance of mental resources (understanding of emotions, deception), subjective cognitive illusion of age (feeling younger than his years) for subjective satisfaction with life and health, coupled with lifestyle (active retirees and dependent on social assistance) is shown. Pensioners who lead an active lifestyle and pensioners that are dependent on social assistance perceive themselves younger than their years, although the subjective age is not interconnected with the quality of life and physical health of active people. Changes occur in the psychological systems of resources during the transition from the elderly to the senile age; at this period the growth of disease and cognitive preservation, along with psychological predictors, become a condition of life satisfaction.

Analysis of HER-2/neu Receptor Expression and the Level of Neuronal Apoptosis in HER-2/neu Transgenic Mice during Aging.

We studied neuronal death in the sensorimotor cortex, hippocampus, and supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus and dynamics of HER-2/neu expression in late ontogenesis in young and old transgenic HER-2/neu mice. Wild-type FVB/N mice served as the control. The intensity of apoptosis (TUNEL) and HER-2/neu expression (Western blotting) in the same brain regions were measured. HER-2/neu was detected in the cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus of transgenic and wild-type mice, and its expression increased with age. The effect of HER-2/neu on the intensity of cell death in various brain regions depended on the stage of ontogenesis and animal genotype. Enhanced expression of HER-2/neu determines low rate of cell death in the studied brain regions during pathological ageing.

Size-At-Age Variability and Sexual Dimorphism of Morphometric Characteristics in the Late Ontogenesis of the Marsh Frog, Pelophylax Ridibundus (Anura, Ranidae), from Terrytory of Crimea

Abstract We study size-at-age and sexual variability of morphometric characteristics of the marsh frog. According to the size of the body, males were divided into three size-age groups (juvenis, subadultus, adultus), females — into four groups (juvenis, subadultus, adultus, adultus-I). We found that the chronological age of frogs (skeletochronology) does not always correspond to their biological age (size and proportions of the body). We noted that the semi-adult males are reliably larger than females by mean values of 26 studied morphometric characters. Males and females of “adultus” group do not differ by linear body size, significant differences were found in body proportions (7 characters). For the females of “adultus-I” group, the mean values of 26 characters are significantly larger than for “adultus” males. The results of our study showed that with the age of the marsh frog, the level of exhibition, directionality and structure of morphometric sex differences changes.

Specific Articulation Disorders in Children Native Speakers of Bulgarian – Distribution, Characteristics, Demographic Patterns

The article presents a study of the articulation behaviour in 610 Bulgarian children aged 4 years and 5 months up to 7 years and 6 months. In 503 children (82%), incorrect articulation of consonant sounds from early, middle and late ontogenesis is established. The highest percentage of non-normative production is registered with sounds of early ontogenesis [l] 79% and [r] 43%. The percentage distribution of impaired articulation of ontogenetically middle fricatives is 27% for the group of [ʃ], [ʒ], [tʃ] and 20% for the group of [s], [z], [ts] respectively. Incorrect articulation of the ontogenetically early sounds [k, g] is recorded in 1% of the subjects surveyed for the [k] sound and 4% for the [g] sound. What is observed is the presence of age dynamics of impaired articulation where the number of children without disorders tends to increase with age. Another factor of influence on the distribution of the articulation disorders to be noted is the demographic one, i.e. the place of residence. The results obtained show a significant difference in the number of registered articulation disorders in children living in the capital of Bulgaria (Sofia) and living in other places. The established differences are related to the lack of a comprehensivel state policy (health and education) for the organization of prevention, diagnosis and therapy of communicative disorders.

Actualization of Potential Life Experience in Normal Aging

The paper search mechanisms for maintaining personality well-being at the stage of late ontogenesis, which is important for neuropsychology, gerontology and psychology. The authors analyze the preserved cognitive resource, acquired at the previous age stages, as a resource for life experience mobilization and providing adefinite level of intellectual and mental indicators in normal aging. The experience proves that preserved self-regulating abilities in elderly are the main condition of actualizing life experience potential. Specially organized environment in thematic art-groups providing the process of goal-oriented activity and adequate interpersonalinteraction is viewed as a determining factor of life experience implementation. The dynamics of viability components reflecting sustainable strategies of self-regulation is investigated and the results of this investigation are presented.
 Keywords: potential life experience, normal aging, viability, cognitive resource.

Изменения познавательных функций при старении (познавательные функции в позднем онтогенезе)

The aging of the population, the increase in life expectancy, the growth of the subject activity of persons of older age groups on the one hand, the evolutionary normative decline in a number of cognitive functions, the expected growth of persons with cognitive problems determines the need to study cognitive functions at the stages of late ontogenesis taking into account the aging patterns of the central nervous system (CNS). A non-repetitive, selective, observational field study of changes in cognitive functions at the stages of late ontogenesis was carried out. Surveyed 148 workers aged from 27 to 74 years, all right-handed. Applied neuropsychological, statistical research methods. It was revealed that the performance of neuropsychological subtests as they age decrease unevenly, and also that young people coped better with the performance of grafomotor tests than their older colleagues. The results of this study are promising for the subsequent development of tools for the differential diagnosis of normal and pathological aging.

Maternal care affects EEG properties of spike-wave seizures (including pre- and post ictal periods) in adult WAG/Rij rats with genetic predisposition to absence epilepsy.

WAG/Rij rats have a genetic predisposition to absence epilepsy and develop spontaneous spike-wave discharges in EEG during late ontogenesis (SWD, EEG manifestation of absence epilepsy). Changes in an environment during early postnatal ontogenesis can influence the genetically predetermined absence epilepsy. Here we examined the effect of maternal environment during weaning period on the EEG manifestation of absence epilepsy in adulthood. Experiments were performed in the offspring of WAG/Rij and Wistar rats. The newborn pups were fostered to dams of the same (in-fostering) or another strain (cross-fostering). Age-matched control WAG/Rij and Wistar rats were reared by their biological mothers. Absence seizures were uncommon in Wistar and were not aggravated in both in- and cross-fostered groups. In WAG/Rij rats, fewer SWD were found in the cross-fostered as compared to the in-fostered group. The cross-fostered WAG/Rij rats showed higher percentage of short-lasting SWD with duration <2s. The mean frequency of EEG at the beginning of SWD in the cross-fostered WAG/Rij rats was lower than in control (8.82 vs 9.25Hz), but it was higher in a period of 1.5s before and after SWD. It was concluded that a healthier maternal environment is able to alleviate genetically predetermined absence seizures in adulthood through changes in EEG rhythmic activity.