A total of 18 children with cerebral palsy and organic brain lesions underwent sessions of transcranial micropolarization with the aim of decreasing the frequency of convulsive fits. Transcranial micropolarization of the posterior temporal and parietal areas of the cerebral cortex was found to provide a marked decrease in the frequency of convulsive fits and to normalize the EEG pattern. This effect was due to the targeted effects of direct currents passed through the respective morphofunctional connections of cortical zones to the structures responsible for forming and controlling the convulsive activity of the brain.

Transdermal micropolarization of the spinal cord was performed in patients suffering sequelae of spinal cord trauma and tuberculous spondylitis. Changes in clinical and electrophysiological status were monitored. These studies demonstrated that the use of local direct currents passed via skin electrodes promoted improvements in motor and autonomic functions in these patients, leading to positive changes in measures of the functional state of the spinal cord and heart activity. The possible mechanisms of the action of direct currents acting on the spinal cord are discussed, along with the potential for applying micropolarization in the treatment of spinal cord lesions.

It has been demonstrated that corticostriatal influences play an important role in the regulation of extrapyramidal hyperkinesias [4], which are frequently seen in a variety of diseases including infantile cerebral palsy [1]. The existence of direct corticofugal connections with the striatum creates the possibility for targeted intervention to have effects on a variety of mechanisms involved in the generation of hyperkinesia by acting on the corresponding cortical zones [7]. The approach with the greatest potential and theoretical and experimental backing consists of local transcutaneous application of weak direct currents (of lower amplitude than those normally used in physiotherapy), the aim being to produce a gradual rearrangement of the functional state of nerve tissue [2].This report describes studies of the effects of unilateral transcranial micropolarization of the frontal cortex on the state of motor and cognitive functions in children with cerebral palsy.Studies involved 40 children aged 8-15 years with the spastic-hyperkinetic form of infantile cerebral palsy. Patients received therapeutic sessions of transcranial micropolarization. A standard Potok-1 (GE 50-2) galvanization apparatus was used. Agar skin electrodes with areas ranging from 100 to 600 mm 2 were positioned as follows: the anode was placed over the projection of the prefrontal cortex of the subdominant hemisphere; the cathode was placed over the mastoid process. Electrodes were placed on one side. The selection of the subdominant hemisphere for micropolarization was based on published data [2] and our own observations indicating that polarization of the dominant hemisphere often leads to the development of negative psychoemotional reactions. Currents were no greater than 300/zA. Sessions lasted 20-40 min. Courses consisted of no more than 15 sessions.Before and after micropolarization courses, all children underwent clinical, electrophysiological, and psychological investigations, including assessment of movement function using a specially developed clinical points scale, aIong with electroencephalogram (EEG) and integral and stimulatory electromyogram (EMG) recordings, tests of memory, visuospatial perception, and speech functions. In addition, manipulatory ability was tested using a special computerized apparatus. Data were analyzed statistically using the Wilcoxon criterion.Pronounced positive clinical changes were seen after courses of transcranial micropolarization; these consisted of reductions in the severity of hyperkinesias, appearance of the ability to produce voluntary inhibition of large-scale hyperkinesia at rest, increases in the range of active movements in the joints, reversal of pathologically elevated muscle tone, improvements in manipulatory functions, etc. Psychological testing of the children revealed improvements in cognitive and speech functions (Table 1). It should be noted that improvements in speech function were due mainly to decreases in hyperkinesias of the articular apparatus, with increases in muscle mobility,...