Background. Artificial intelligence (AI) systems based on neural networks enabling the automatic analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) examinations, such as detecting episodes of paroxysmal activity are currently being actively developed. Large datasets are required for training neural network algorithms.

Objective: To develop a roadmap for the Open Base of Graduated EEG Signals (OBRAS) project, designed to eliminate the shortage of high-quality, annotated EEG recordings suitable for developing and training AI algorithms, as well as for creating educational programs and digital EEG atlases.

Material and methods. The project protocol was drafted, which includes the collection of native EEG signals from open sources and from clinical practice of the participants, their deidentification and structured mapping. A two-tier data organization system was proposed: i) primary grouping into folders (e.g., Normal, Epi, NonEpi) and ii) main, flexible classification using a system of tags for age, sex, examination type, pathology, presence of specific EEG patterns, etc. Eligibility criteria and technical requirements for the recordings (format, number of channels, sampling frequency) were defined.

Conclusion. The OBRAS project roadmap outlines the protocol, logical sequence of work, annotation methodology, funding model (non-profit partnership), and solutions in the areas of ethics and information security. The creation of such publicly accessible database will accelerate development of AI algorithms for automated EEG analysis. Implementation of the OBRAS project may significantly contribute to developing medical, research, and information technologies in neurophysiology.

Background. Traditionally, the influence of maternal intake of antiepileptic drugs during breastfeeding has been studied in terms of their concentration in breast milk and infant serum, whereas their long-term consequences for child development have not been assessed. In this regard, no comparison has been made of the further mental development and adaptation of children who were breastfed and formula-fed, which is why the issue of breastfeeding safety while receiving antiepileptic therapy remains controversial to this day. Nor the development of children born to mothers with epilepsy, delivered naturally and by cesarean section, has been compared as well. Meanwhile, these two issues (the choice of delivery method and type of feeding) are of vital importance for such women.

Objective: To study an influence of intranatal and neonatal factors on the mental development of children born to mothers with epilepsy.

Material and methods. A study investigating the impact of intranatal (delivery routes) and neonatal (feeding type) factors on the mental development of children born to mothers with epilepsy was conducted by enrolling 176 participants: 88 children aged 3–9 years and paired mothers suffering from epilepsy. The following methods were used: forms for parents – Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) by T. Achenbach, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other behavioral dysfunction questionnaire modified by N.N. Zavadenko, as well as Luria neuropsychological batteries by J.M. Glozman, and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WSIC). A detailed history of the mother’s illness and early child development was also collected. Statistical data processing was performed in the IBM SPSS using Pearson's χ2 coefficient, nonparametric U Mann–Whitney criterion, multivariate analysis of variance, correlation, regression analysis, and moderator analysis.

Results. Children born by cesarean section subsequently exhibited more pronounced motor awkwardness, speech development delays, difficulties with voluntary attention concentration, and handling numerical material. Children who were breastfed subsequently had less severe emotional and volitional disorders, as well as better developed subject gnosis, reciprocal coordination, spontaneous speech, understanding of addressed speech and speech logic, as well as non-verbal intelligence. Regression analysis showed that artificial feeding in combination with prenatal risk factors (maternal epileptic seizures before and during pregnancy, anemia, valproic acid intake) has important prognostic significance in developing emotional and volitional disorders, delays in the development of praxis, gnosis, spontaneous speech, understanding of addressed speech, as well as functional underdevelopment of the left temporal lobe in children.

Conclusion. Breastfeeding can be considered as a moderator that reduces the negative impact of anemia on further neurocognitive development of children born to mothers with epilepsy.

Background. Stereoelectroencephalography (stereo-EEG) parameters may be predictors of surgical treatment outcomes in patients with focal drug-resistant epilepsy (fDRE).

Objective: To assess a relationship between stereo-EEG parameters and surgical treatment for fDRE outcome.

Material and methods. The stereo-EEG parameters were retrospectively evaluated in fDRE patients examined in 2016–2020. We reviewed the following parameters: patient’s gender, age at stereo-EEG examination, lesion presence and lateralization on magnetic resonance images, seizure onset zone localization and size, seizure pattern type, latency and propagation. These parameter-related effect on surgical treatment outcomes in fDRE patients were analyzed.

Results. The outcome of surgical treatment was found to depend on the size of epileptic seizure onset zone (p=0.002). No other analyzed parameters appeared to have an impact on epilepsy surgery outcome.

Conclusion. Size of seizure onset zone represent a sole stereo-EEG parameter affecting fDRE surgical treatment outcome.

Background. Most publications aimed at analyzing brain bioelectrical activity in post-anoxic conditions focus primarily on disturbances in the acute phase of post-anoxic encephalopathy (PAE). The dynamic changes in bioelectrogenesis mechanisms during subsequent disease progression are described in few publications reporting contradictory results. Motor phenomena recorded during PAE in children can be present simultaneously or alternate, creating difficulties in their interpretation and selection of pharmacotherapy. Therefore, a retrospective pilot study was needed to assess clinical significance of videoelectroencephalographic monitoring (VEEM) and the impact of its results on therapeutic strategy and prognosis for recovery in patients with chronic post-anoxic myoclonus (PAM).

Objective: Тo assess extent of VEEM sufficient to determine the level of myoclonus generation in children with PAE.

Material and methods. The retrospective study included 10 children with post-anoxic conditions of different genesis (freshwater drowning, mechanical asphyxia, cardiopulmonary resuscitation during septic shock) who underwent rehabilitation treatment at the Research Institute of Emergency Pediatric Surgery and Trauma – Dr. Roshal’s Clinic in the years 2020–2023. Nine of the examined subjects underwent VEEM according to a standardized protocol; 1 child received VEEM in another medical institution.

Results. Chronic PAM was present in 2 children examined. In one case, there was a myoclonus of different levels of generation combined with epileptiform seizures and generalized dystonia, in the other case – myoclonus recorded along with generalized dystonia. In both cases, the use of clonazepam improved PAM clinical manifestations.

Conclusion. Patients with history of PAM are required to receive an extended VEEM added with myographic channels for conducting differential diagnostics with motor phenomena, to clarify generation level for chronic postanoxic myoclonus, if any, and select pharmacotherapy strategy.

Objective: to analyze microelement composition profiles of ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate (EMHPS) preparations promising to use for increasing efficiency and safety of epilepsy pharmacotherapy.

Material and methods. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry was used to analyze content of 72 elements from the D.I. Mendeleyev’s periodic table in eleven EMHPS preparations. Next, a series of analyses of the microelement composition in EMHPS samples was carried out based on modern data mining methods.

Results. Specific preparations with varying degrees of microelement purity were identified, including those containing toxic and conditionally toxic microelements. Microelement impurities in EMHPS composition may result from water, sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid used in the manufacturing process.

Conclusion. The data obtained suggest that the quality of preparation microelement standardization may be significantly improved, provided that hydrochloric acid solutions purified by sequential rectification are used to normalize pH-value.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form of focal epilepsy. The mechanisms of epileptogenesis in TLE involve a wide range of neurobiological, biochemical, genomic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic changes. Together, these processes lead to morphofunctional reorganization of neural networks and the onset of spontaneous seizures. Neuroinflammation (involving glia activation and cytokine release), neural network remodeling, impaired signal transmission, and loss of inhibitory interneurons play a prominent role in epileptogenesis. Hippocampus transcriptomic studies have revealed a wide range of involved genes, highlighting the importance for interplay between genetic predisposition and acquired factors in developing this disease. The review presents current views on the neurobiological and molecular genetic basis of TLE-related epileptogenesis.

A full-content structured analysis of international and national guidelines was performed to determine the scope, coverage, and consensus on all seizure-related first-aid recommendations. The analysis identified more than 50 distinct recommendations related to seizure first aid. The coverage of recommendations was generally poor and inconsistent. The lack of consensus between the recognized and influential guideline documents raises concerns regarding the adequacy of current first aid education and practice and underscores the compelling need for establishing an international consensus on evidence-based seizures first aid.

In 2024, electroencephalography (EEG) technique turned 100 years old. Despite its seemingly advanced age, electroencephalography remains one of the main instrumental methods for diagnosing brain functional state. EEG is widely used in modern clinical practice as well as in numerous research studies. At the same time, this method continues to improve, with increasing number of recording channels being one of the upgrade trajectories. If 19–25 EEG channels are recorded traditionally for routine EEG examinations, 32 channels are used in advanced laboratories, whereas 64- and even 128-channel systems are often applied for scientific research. As a rule, multi-channel recorders are used for invasive EEG. For scalp EEG, the logical limit for the number of applied electrodes has become 64 channels, although in exotic cases as many as 256 scalp EEG channels may exist. Such multi-channel EEG recording is called “high-density EEG”. Here, some practical aspects of using multi-channel EEG as well as its new diagnostic capabilities are discussed.