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Vol LVI, No 3 (2024)

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Editorial

The phenomenon of “emptiness” in modern psychiatry

Mendelevich V.D.

Abstract

The article analyses a new psychopathological phenomenon of “emptiness” for classical psychiatry, which is compared with clinical manifestations of emptiness, boredom, apathy, and melancholy. A conclusion is made about the uniqueness of this symptom is drawn. The relationship between the phenomenon of “emptiness” and other diagnostically significant symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) is examined, as is its influence on suicidal and self-harming behavior. It is argued that “emptiness” reflects the mechanism of dissociative depersonalization, and that the wide representation of dissociative symptoms within BPD in conjunction with the “emptiness” phenomenon makes it promising to consider BPD and its individual symptoms a “new hysteria”.

Neurology Bulletin. 2024;LVI(3):228-239
pages 228-239 views

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders: does the non-psychotic schizophrenia exist?

Sivolap Y.P., Portnova A.A.

Abstract

Current understanding of schizophrenia comes from Kraepelin’s dementia praecox doctrine, a disease that combined Kalbaum’s catatonia, Hecker’s hebephrenia and chronic delusional psychoses and later renamed to schizophrenia thanks to Bleuler. Since the beginning of the XX century, the systematics of schizophrenia has undergone a serious evolution and narrowing of diagnostic boundaries, which is reflected in various revisions of the ICD and editions of the DSM. Currently, the existence of non-psychotic forms of schizophrenia, mainly manifested by negative symptoms, is being questioned. In addition, the need for diagnostic differentiation of schizophrenia from autism spectrum disorder, which have only external similarities, but require fundamentally different therapeutic interventions, is emphasized.

Neurology Bulletin. 2024;LVI(3):240-246
pages 240-246 views

Original study arcticles

Development and psychometric assessment of the test “Predictive style”

Granitsa A.S., Lotfullina A.R., Perishivkina V.V.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Prognostic processes are an important link in adaptation to stressful events and resilience. The role of the features of prognostic abilities in various mental disorders is shown. We introduce and substantiate a new psychological construct, the “Predictive style”, reflecting the subjective importance of the forecasting process and the tendency to assess the favorability of predicted events.

AIM: To develop and conduct a psychometric assessment of the “Predictive style” test.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A “Predictive style” test was developed, including 21 statements divided into 4 scales: excessive optimism, excessive pessimism, excessive forecasting and indifference to forecasts. The development of the test included the study of the external and internal validity, as well as the reliability of the methodology.

RESULTS: The measures of compliance with the test model were at a sufficient level: CFI=0.927; TLI=0.917; SRMR=0.0538; RMSEA=0.0497 (95% CI 0.0403–0.0589) and were performed on a new sample. All items correlated with their scales at a sufficient level. The reliability of the scales was in an acceptable range: Kronbach α=0.851–0.630. Retest reliability was confirmed after 2 months. Convergent validity was demonstrated by correlations with levels of optimism, pessimism, anticipation, predictive ability and coping strategies. Statistically significant differences were found between the groups of patients with neurotic mental disorders and those without psychopathology. Multiple linear regression demonstrated that the test scales were statistically significant predictors of anxiety and depression symptoms in the study participants. The results obtained confirm the criteria validity of the test under development.

CONCLUSION: The developed test has sufficient psychometric indicators and can be used in subsequent studies.

Neurology Bulletin. 2024;LVI(3):247-258
pages 247-258 views

Psychotic Experiences Questionnaire. Part 2

Sagalakova O.A., Truevtsev D.V., Zhirnova O.V.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: On the basis of the concept of psychotic and psychotic-like experiences, delusions and auditory hallucinations presented in Part 1 of this article, the structure of the links between psychotic experiences and social anxiety and its components and psychological parameters is analyzed. A mediator model of the relationship between social anxiety and the phase of psychotic alienation — "experiencing external control" — is discussed.

AIM: To investigate the parameters and stages of development of psychotic and psychotic-like experiences registered with the Psychotic Experiences Questionnaire in the context of analyzing the structure of relationships with psychological variables (social anxiety, metacognitive and cognitive phenomena). Тo construct a mediator model of the indirect effect of social anxiety components on the “experience of being controlled externally” mediated by thought suppression (“polar bear effect”).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample — 122 respondents, includes non-clinical and two clinical groups — with symptoms of the affective spectrum and with symptoms of the psychotic spectrum. The author's ‘Psychotic Experiences Questionnaire’ was used to assess the severity of psychotic experiences, the scales of which represent the phases of the unfolding of the experiences. Social anxiety and its components (author's “Social Anxiety and Social Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire”), cognitive (“Cognitive Flexibility Questionnaire”, “Behavioural Self-Regulation Style — SSPM 2020” questionnaire) and metacognitive (Thought Suppression Scale, author's “Self-Focused Attention Questionnaire”) strategies were determined.

RESULTS: Pearson correlation analysis showed significant ‘direct’ associations of early and moderate psychotic and psychotic-like experiences with social anxiety and its components, metacognitive (self-focused attention and thought suppression) parameters, and ‘inverse’ links with cognitive parameters (cognitive component of conscious self-regulation and cognitive flexibility). Correlations with psychological parameters become insignificant in intense psychotic experiences. Using mediator analysis, the full indirect effects of the social anxiety components influence on the enhancement of “experiencing being controlled externally” as a phase of psychotic experiences maximum intensity were measured (mediator — thought suppression).

CONCLUSION: Metacognitive strategies, social anxiety, disturbed self-regulation and flexibility play an important role in the genesis and maintenance of psychotic experiences. Significant correlations of the parameters with psychotic experience are shown, but at the height of alienation the significant correlations weaken. At the height of psychotic experience in the absence of direct effects it is possible to explicate the indirect influence of the predictor — social anxiety on the experience of controllability from the outside, mediated by thought suppression.

This article is a continuation of the article by Sagalakova OA, Truevtsev DV, Zhirnova OV. Psychotic Experiences Questionnaire. Part 1. Neurology Bulletin. 2024;56(1):23–36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17816/nb623959

Neurology Bulletin. 2024;LVI(3):259-271
pages 259-271 views

Reviews

Study of the functioning of mirror neurons in normal conditions, in neurological and psychiatric diseases: a systematic review of the literature

Ragimova A.A., Perevoznyuk G.S., Volel B.A., Petelin D.S., Ponomareva D.S., Salamatin M.I., Batov A.A., Feurra M.

Abstract

The mirror neuron system is a fundamental brain system of the brain that provides the ability to understand the actions of others and plays a key role in motor learning and empathy. In this review, we have thoroughly examined the internal and external factors that influence the functioning of the mirror neuron system. Issues such as difficulties in interpreting the mu rhythm and its relationship to theory of mind, which are particularly salient when analysing the mirror neuron system in the context of mental illness, have been identified. The role of the mirror neuron system in the formation of various mental disorders and neurological diseases has been considered. Additionally, a promising direction for future research is highlighted — the study of the mirror neuron system in the context of Parkinson's disease, focusing on the peculiarities of the functioning of the dopaminergic system of the mirror neuron system under normal conditions and in the presence of pathology. Prospective directions for further research are suggested, including the analysis of the mu-rhythm, the role of mentalization, studying the mirror neuron system in mental and neurological diseases.

Neurology Bulletin. 2024;LVI(3):272-289
pages 272-289 views

The study of mental disorders in visually impaired people

Yakovlev D.A., Kuzmina S.V.

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to highlight the history of the study of mental characteristics in persons with eye pathology and visual impairment. In the period of the Ancient World and up to the XIV century, the knowledge of the human psyche passed through the prism of mystical and religious views on the essence of the human soul. The beginning of the application of the materialistic approach to the assessment of mental characteristics in the absence of vision can be considered the work of the French writer, philosopher and educator Denis Diderot. In his "Letters" he drew attention to the need to educate the blind, which became the impetus for the activities of future specialists. In the middle of the XIX century, active work began in the field of research on the psyche of the blind. The introspective description served as the basis for the beginning of the experimental study. There is a spontaneous release of typhlopsychology, which formed the theoretical basis for the further development of science. During the 20th century, a large amount of experimental data has been accumulated in the field of studying the psyche of the blind. Modern multicenter studies of the psychological characteristics of ophthalmic patients indicate a wide prevalence of mental disorders. Scientists are currently paying close attention to specific ophthalmological nosologies and their relationship with certain mental disorders. Research is being conducted to study potential ophthalmological markers for the development of mental disorders and to find ways to diagnose them instrumentally. Despite the long and difficult path of studying the characteristics of the psyche in visually impaired people, there is still a vast field for further research. Based on past knowledge, future developments will allow us to more accurately determine the relationship between eye pathology and mental disorders.

Neurology Bulletin. 2024;LVI(3):290-298
pages 290-298 views

Clinical case reports

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis fatal case was mistaken as a debut of schizophrenia: the devil is in the psychopathological details

Mendelevich V.D., Sergienko K.S., Yakhin K.K., Abdullina E.A.

Abstract

The article presents the clinical case of the patient Victor, 42 years old, who was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in an acute psychotic state with schizophreniform symptoms. His illness progressed rapidly, and at different stages, epileptic paroxysms and disorders of consciousness joined the symptoms typical of schizophrenia. It was then that the question arose of the need to revise the diagnosis of schizophrenia, to carry out a targeted neurological examination and to correct of the treatment regimen. Victor’s case, which ended in death, raises questions for psychiatrists about finding significant differential diagnostic criteria for distinguishing schizophrenia from schizophrenia-like psychoses. To avoid mistakes, it is proposed to rely on the so-called. “diagnostic clues” and “red flags” in identifying the psychopathology of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.

Neurology Bulletin. 2024;LVI(3):299-310
pages 299-310 views

Clinical case of an atypical variant of Labbe's vein structure in a patient with pharmacoresistant temporal epilepsy

Shnyakin P.G., Isaeva N.V., Dmitrenko D.V., Roslavtseva V.V., Usoltseva A.A., Ermilov E.A., Medvedeva M.K., Trubkin A.V., Putilin A.V., Loseva A.S.

Abstract

Among the commonly recognised structural lesions that cause drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy, such as mesial temporal sclerosis, focal cortical dysplasia, benign intracerebral tumors, arteriovenous malformations and cavernous angiomas, researchers have recently noted other pathologies, such as, encephalocele. There are a number of publications on the connection between epilepsy and cerebral venous angiomas. However, there are no published cases of the influence of the abnormal structure and location of normal cerebral vessels on the development of epilepsy. This article presents a case of an atypically large and unusually located vein of Labbe that may have been involved in epileptogenesis and also complicated an anteromedial temporal lobectomy. Forced coagulation and excision of the Labbe vein during surgery did not lead to venous infarction and neurological deficit.

Neurology Bulletin. 2024;LVI(3):311-321
pages 311-321 views

Variations in movement disorders in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Saikhunov R.M., Danilova T.V.

Abstract

The article focuses on movement disorders following acute ischemic stroke. It explores how the localization of the infarct and the extent of brain damage influence the development of these disorders and the recovery of lost function. This knowledge is crucial for providing effective patient management. Clinical case studies are used to illustrate the different types of movement disorders seen in ischaemic stroke patients, including pyramidal tract damage, sensory deficits, ataxia and apraxia.

Neurology Bulletin. 2024;LVI(3):322-336
pages 322-336 views