Methods for Evaluating the Energy Processes of the Brain (Literature Review)

Purpose: Review of methods for assessing cerebral energy exchange in order to select a method that has sufficient information content and a good degree of accessibility when examining nuclear industry workers. Results: To assess cerebral energy exchange, PET, SPECT, and measurement of local cerebral blood flow using isotope clearance are used. These techniques use the introduction of radioactive substances into the body. Their use is limited by the high cost of the equipment and its stationary nature. Also, to assess cerebral energy exchange, the polarographic method (invasive), REG and fMRI is used. REG provides insufficiently accurate data on cerebral energy exchange. fMRI provides fairly informative data, but is also a stationary method, which limits its use in the conditions of a comprehensive examination of people working at nuclear enterprises. A more accessible method is neuroenergy mapping, based on measuring the level of constant potential (LCP). Currently, this method is widely used in neurophysiological and neuropsychological studies. An equally accessible and effective method is EEG, based on the data of which the value of interhemispheric differences (VIHD) in the power of biopotentials of homologous leads is determined, based on the power characteristics of the EEG, reflecting the activity of nerve cells and metabolic processes in them. The indicator reveals the degree of uneven distribution of power characteristics between the hemispheres; this characterizes the interaction of the activating and inhibitory parts of the nonspecific brain system during the formation of functional interhemispheric asymmetry, which reflects the level of cerebral energy exchange. The advantage of the method is its close connection with EEG indicators, which makes it possible to simultaneously assess the functional activity of the brain and its energy processes. Conclusion: The EEG indicator of VIHD power of biopotentials of homologous leads is sufficiently informative and accessible for assessing cerebral energy exchange in conditions of mass examination, in particular of nuclear industry workers.