RISK FACTORS OF AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS IN GEORGIA.

Objective - to identify risk factors in patients diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Georgia directed to The First University Clinic of TSMU and P. Sarajishvili Institute of Neurology. Totally 53 patients, aged 24 to 82 years, were investigated with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), defined by "Gold Coast " criteria. We have used the Questionnaire for Environmental Exposures, Toxins, and Neurological diseases developed by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical center to identify risk factors, and categorized patients according to the place of settlement and environmental hazards. The control consisted of age and sex matched 50 healthy individuals. The brain was visualized by MRI (1.5T), and Electromyography (EMG) was performed on all patients. ALS risk was higher among those ever holding a job in mechanics, painting, or construction (p<0.05), head trauma or concussion that caused a "blackout" or loss of consciousness was associated with a higher risk of ALS (p<0.01). Demographically more ALS cases were found in Tbilisi and Imereti, compared to other regions (p<0.05). According to our research on Georgian ALS cases, several occupational jobs, Head trauma is associated with developing ALS in Georgia, Research is needed to identify environmental risk factors attributing to higher rates of ALS in Tbilisi and Imereti.

THE MECHANISMS CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION, ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE ASSOCIATED EXPERIMENTAL MODELS (REVIEW).

Arterial hypertension is one of most common diseases in the world with variable etiologies, yet the exact cause cannot always be found. It is classified as essential (primary) or secondary hypertension. Unlike secondary hypertension, primary hypertension has no known cause. Animal models have been used to investigate the pathophysiology of the disease and for testing new treatment strategies. Using animal models to better understand the etiology, prevention, and treatment of hypertension depends on their accuracy for representing human disease. Current challenges in this field include the development of models mimicking the common hypertensive syndromes and the development of new prevention and treatment strategies. Animal models may be beneficial to address these challenges. While choosing the appropriate model of hypertension, scientists need to choose between small and large animal models. The research scope and objectives, experimental expenses, animal welfare, and practical suitability should all be considered. The advantages and disadvantages of these models need to be assessed in detail in order to select the best model. From the many models of arterial hypertension, it can be distinguish different models of essential and secondary arterial hypertension. Of the essential arterial hypertension three main methods are noteworthy, pharmacological, environmental conditions, and genetic model. As for secondary hypertension, it can be challenged by physical methods such as renal artery clipping or its microembolization.