STUDY OFTHEINFLUENCE OF WRISTTAPPING ON ALPHA-RHYTHM SYNCHRONIZATION IN A

Objective: To study the effect of hand tapping on the synchronization of the alpha rhythm in healthy adults. Materials and Methods: The study included 51 clinically healthy volunteers of working age. Results: We have shown that under the influence of wrist tapping in a state of sensory deprivation in healthy adults there is a statistically significant change in the peak frequency (p = 0.0006) and peak power of the alpha rhythm (p = 0.0003), but the width of the peak plateau remains unchanged (p = 0.2). This effect of wrist tapping indicates the potential for clinical use in JME, since it was previously shown that if the selected external frequencies enter into resonance with the neurons of the antiepileptic system, then an antiepileptic effect can be obtained.

Influence of Wrist Tapping on Alpha Rhythm Synchronization in Patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of wrist tapping (WT), according to the author's method, on the synchronization of alpha activity in healthy adults and patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). Methods and Results: The study included 71 people of working age, including 51 clinically healthy volunteers (median age - 39[21;56] years) and 20 patients with JME (median age 27[23;35] years). Under the influence of WT in a state of sensory deprivation, statistically significant changes in the alpha peak frequency (APF) (P<0.001) and alpha power (AP) (P<0.05) were found in healthy adults. In JME patients, there were statistically significant changes in the APF (P<0.05) and AP (P<0.05), as well as a statistically significant increase in the ARW (P<0.05) after WT. WT, according to the author's technique, allows reducing the severity of alpha rhythm synchronization and leads to a shift in the peak frequency of the alpha rhythm in the occipital leads towards the alpha-2 sub-frequency range and a decrease in AP in both healthy volunteers and JME patients. At the same time, the alpha range width in the occipital leads is statistically significantly increased in JME patients. Conclusion: The nature of the change in the alpha rhythm, in comparison with the control, indicates the phenomenon of resonance with the frequency of the WT rhythm. The WT effect testifies to the prospects of the clinical application of WT in JME, since it was previously shown that if the selected external frequencies enter into resonance with the neurons of the antiepileptic system, then an antiepileptic effect could be obtained.

Resolved epilepsy: an updated insight

Classification of epilepsy is of great importance at the stages of rehabilitation when the disease is considered resolved. This is the time to address various aspects of etiology, pathogenesis, compensation and resolution of epilepsy and to decide upon further medical care. Materials and methods. Here we review clinical-neurophysiological, experimentalpsychological, and neuroimaging results of anti-epileptic treatment and its discontinuation in seizure-free patients. We also discuss the adoption of the new international classification of ILAE 2017 in the domestic epileptology and analyze clinical cases of 270 patients with epilepsy who were in control of seizures for up to 8 years. Results. The study revealed the clinical, neuropsychological and neurophysiological signs of epilepsy regression in patients with long-term control of seizures. In 85% of these patients, seizures were under control; in 45% of them, the issue of “resolution of epilepsy” was a matter of discussion. In this regard, we address the timing and indications for the discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs. Conclusion. The prolonged absence of seizures is due to an inhibition of epileptic activity at the neuronal level with a gradual restoration of the antiepileptic system during 3-5 years of seizure-free period; this mechanism is reflected in the new classification. The data obtained in the present study support the decision of the Russian League against Epilepsy to introduce the new classification of epilepsy proposed by ILAE in 2017. The new term “resolved epilepsy” has been adopted for use in patients previously referred to as “practically recovered”.