This article is a critical review of palliative care for ALS patients in Russia. The authors summarize the principal European guidelines, analyze local practice guidelines regarding palliative care, present their experience in ALS patients care in a multidisciplinary team (project
of the Orthodox service "Miloserdie"). Аuthors describe the main approaches for ALS symptom management available in Russia (including swallowing difficulties, breathlessness, pain, difficulties in communication).

Introduction. L-Acetylcarnitine (LAC), the acetyl ester of carnitine naturally present in the central nervous system and involved in several neural pathways, has been demonstrated to be active in various animal experimental models resembling some features of human depression. The aim of the study is to verify whether LAC can have an antidepressant action in a population of elderly patients with dysthymic disorder in comparison with a traditional antidepressant such as fluoxetine.

Methods. Multicentric, double-blind, double-dummy, controlled, randomized study based on a observation period of 7 weeks. 80 patients with DSM-IV diagnosis of dysthymic disorder were enrolled in the study and subdivided into 2 groups. Group A patients received LAC plus placebo; group B patients received fluoxetine 20 mg/die plus placebo. Clinical assessment was performed through several psychometric scales at 6 different moments.

Results. Group A patients showed a statistically significant improvement in the following scales: HAM-D, HAM-A, BDI and Touluse–Pieron Test. Comparison between the two groups, A and B, generally showed very similar clinical progression.

Discussion. The results obtained with LAC and fluoxetine were equivalent. As the subjects in this study were of senile age, it is possible to hypothesize that the LAC positive effect on mood could be associated with improvement in subjective cognitive symptomatology. The difference in the latency time of clinical response (1 week of LAC treatment, compared with the 2 weeks' latency time with fluoxetine) suggests the existence of different mechanisms of action possibly in relation to the activation of rapid support processes of neuronal activity.

The aim of current publication – to present our own experience in use of electromyographic examination in prognosis for children with obstetric brachial plexus injury to practical neurologists and neurophysiologists. Review of literature shows that common approaches to electrotrophysiological diagnosis of obstetric brachial plexus injury do not exist. The aim of this study– to evaluate retrospectively electrophysiological and sonographic parameters of obstetric brachial plexus injury in children, determining the most informative variables. Since 2007 to 2014 we examined 218 children, 74 of them were operated. Electrophysiological investigation in young children have difficulties in performance.
We present our algorithm of diagnostic of obstetric brachial plexus injury: 1) testing main muscles, which perform basic movements
in upper limb (needle EMG of supra- and infraspinatus muscles and cutaneous EMG of biceps muscles); 2) localization of injury (paralysis or Duchenne – Erb palsy and electrophysiological criteria of spinal cord root avulsion). We found out that the most crucial role in assessing prognosis plays an examination of motor unit potentials (MUPs) duration. Absence of MUPs within needle EMG from supraspinatus muscle and absence of interference curve from biceps muscle during first 6 months have poor prognosis. After 6 months careful, dynamic study of MUPs duration in infraspinatus muscle and co-contraction of agonist and antagonist muscles is needed. To decide whether reconstructive surgery in a patient with obstetric brachial plexus injury is necessary, surgeon must analyze clinical and instrumental data. The possibility of usage of the ultrasonogrophy in brachial plexus injury requires further investigation.

Therapeutic physical culture (physical therapy) is an integral part of the programs of habilitation and rehabilitation in many diseases, including
diseases of central and peripheral nervous system. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CМТ) is a hereditary degenerative disease peripheral nervous system accompanied by the development of progressive muscle weakness and persistent movement disorders. Currently, the use of specialized complexes physical therapy helps to maintain the functional state of the muscles and musculoskeletal status of patients with CMT, and improve strength endurance and increase daily physical activity of the patients. This article describes the modern approaches to organization of physical therapy sessions, recommendations on the training regime, the main types of exercises used in this disease in University Clinic.