Baraban I. Peculiarities of the functional state of central nervous and cardio-vascular system related to the arsenic content in the human organism.

Dissertation is devoted to study the peculiarities of central nervous and cardio-vascular system in urban children 11-16 year old (n=147) and students 18-20 year old (n=50) related to the arsenic content in the organism. Concentration of arsenic examined in hair in most of the cases was within the normal limits, except 11-12 year old children from industrial areas of Ukraine; it was 38% higher than norm in these children. Results of cluster and Spearmen correlation analysis revealed neurotropic effects of arsenic, which was associated with the higher excitability in current EEG and decreased total power of electrical brain activity during stimulation and also with psychophysiological parameters and personality traits. Attention, short-term memory and parameters of self-esteem were the most sensitive to the arsenic content. Associations were also revealed between arsenic content and latent period and amplitude of the EEG-potentials. Arsenic effects on cardio-vascular system were mostly observed after exercises and were characterized by presence of chronotropic and pressor effects. Key words: pupils, students, arsenic, central nervous system, cardio-vascular system.