Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2026. Vol. 71. № 3

DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2026-71-3-60-65

Z.F. Zvereva, L.I. Fortunatova, S.S. Kartusov, A.A. Kosenkov

Functional Brain Activity: a Comparison of Nuclear Industry Workers in Harsh and Moderate Climatic Conditions

A.I. Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Moscow, Russia

Contact person: Z.F. Zvereva, e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.

 

ABSTRACT 

Purpose: To compare the indicators of functional activity of the brain in nuclear industry employees who performed professional duties in the extreme conditions of the Far North and in the conditions of the central part of Russia.

Material and methods: The following employees were compared: 1) employees performing responsible work in the Far North; 2) employees performing professional duties under the climatic conditions of the central part of Russia, having a high level of psychophysiological adaptation (PA); 3) employees performing professional duties in the climatic conditions of the central part of Russia, having a low level of PA.

The PA level was determined during a comprehensive study, which included psychodiagnostic and sensorimotor tests, as well as blood pressure measurements and heart rate variability.

The functional activity of the brain was assessed at the following functional levels: cortical, cortical-subcortical interaction, and central regulation of the autonomic nervous system. The assessment was performed based on the visual analysis of the EEG. Considered: 

1) EEG type; 2) Stability/instability of EEG dynamics; 3) Low/high index of low-frequency β1-activity; 4) Absence/presence of bilaterally-synchronous wave bursts.

Results: According to the literature, the listed parameters are considered markers of stress impact on the human body. These indicators reflect both normal functioning and disorders resulting from various pathologies or adverse environmental factors.

The conducted research allows us to reasonably assume: – the activities of employees of the nuclear industry, who perform responsible work in the Far North, are carried out under the conditions of stress effects of climatic conditions on the human body; 

– the activities of employees of the nuclear industry who perform their professional duties in the climatic conditions of the central part of Russia, which have a high level of PA, are carried out without the stressful effects on the human body; 

– he activities of nuclear industry employees performing professional duties in the climatic conditions of the central part of Russia, having a low level of psychophysiological adaptation, at the age of < 40 years old are carried out without stressful effects on the human body; at the age of  > 40 years old – with stressful effects unrelated to the climate.

 Keywords:  brain, functional activity, bioelectric activity, EEG, psychophysiological adaptation, difficult climatic conditions, Far North

 For citation:  Zvereva ZF, Fortunatova LI, Kartusov SS, Kosenkov AA. Functional Brain Activity: a Comparison of Nuclear Industry Workers in Harsh and Moderate Climatic Conditions. Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2026;71(3):60–65.  DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2026-71-3-60-65

 

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Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Financing. The study had no sponsorship.

Contribution. Article was prepared with equal participation of the authors.

Article received: 20.02.2026. Accepted for publication: 25.03.2026.