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Summary Objectives A whole body vibration platform using vertical oscillation has been shown to be efficacious in reducing vocal fatigue in adults. This study aimed to investigate whether this platform-generated whole body vibration was unique in reducing vocal fatigue by comparing it with self-generated whole body vibration. Methods Twenty-four female adults (mean age = 23.96 years) were randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: a machine-generated whole body vibration group (N = 8), a self-generated whole body vibration group (N = 8), and a placebo vocal resting group (N = 8). All participants performed a karaoke singing task for at least 95 minutes. Each participant received 10 minutes of platform-generated vibration, self-vibration, or sham localised vibration (placebo group with basically voice rest only), according to their group allocation. Vocal function ability, measured by the highest fundamental frequency produced, and a self-reported vocal fatigue score were evaluated at three time points: baseline (prefatigue), after the singing task (post-fatigue) and post-vibration. Results The study revealed that machine-generated whole body vibration was significantly better at improving vocal fatigue than self-generated whole body vibration or voice rest. Conclusion The findings support previous research that machine-generated whole body vibration is effective in reducing vocal fatigue. The non-significant results of self-generated whole body vibration in terms of relieving vocal fatigue suggest that inadequate vibration frequency or amplitude together with leg muscle fatigue may have been the main factor of ineffectiveness.

Background Children and adolescents with fragile X syndrome (FXS) manifest significant symptoms of anxiety, particularly in response to face-to-face social interaction. In this study we used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to reveal a specific pattern of brain activation and habituation in response to face stimuli in young girls with FXS, an important but understudied clinical population. Methods Participants were 32 girls with FXS (age: 11.8 ± 2.9 years) and a control group of 28 girls without FXS (age: 10.5 ± 2.3 years) matched for age, general cognitive function and autism symptoms. Functional NIRS was used to assess brain activation during a face habituation task including repeated upright/inverted faces and greeble (nonface) objects. Results Compared to the control group, girls with FXS showed significant hyper-activation in the frontopolar and dorsal lateral prefrontal cortices in response to all face stimuli (upright + inverted). Lack of neural habituation (and significant sensitization) was also observed in the FXS group in the frontopolar cortex in response to upright face stimuli. Finally, aberrant frontopolar sensitization in response to upright faces in girls with FXS was significantly correlated with notable cognitive-behavioral and social-emotional outcomes relevant to this condition including executive function, autism symptoms, depression and anxiety. Conclusions These findings strongly support a hypothesis of neural hyper-activation and accentuated sensitization during face processing in FXS, a phenomenon that could be developed as a biomarker endpoint for improving treatment trial evaluation in girls with this condition.

Measuring the impact of chronic cough on voice quality can be difficult and challenging in daily practice. Evidence about its potential effects on diagnostic tools used in voice evaluation is lacking. We hypothesized that the presence of chronic cough plays a role in patients' perception of dysphonia severity, leading to a mismatch between the subjective, objective, and perceptual evaluations.A retrospective chart review involving patients with a diagnosis of dysphonia and a complete speech voice evaluation was performed. A total of 311 patients were stratified into two different groups according to the presence of chronic cough. A total of 151 patients were assigned to the dysphonia and chronic cough group, while 160 patients were assigned to the dysphonia only group. During the initial evaluation, patients completed the Voice Handicap Index (VHI)-30, Glottal Function Index (GFI), and Reflux Symptoms Index (RSI). Voice evaluation also included aerodynamic/acoustic measures and the application of the GRBAS scale by a speech-language specialist. A paired t test and a linear regression analysis were used to compare subjective, perceptual, and aerodynamic/acoustic measures in both groups.The mean VHI-30 and GFI were elevated in both groups but significantly lower among patients with dysphonia and chronic cough when compared to patients with dysphonia only (P= 0.01). Additionally, a significantly higher RSI was found among patients with dysphonia and chronic cough (P0.01). No difference in aerodynamic/acoustic measures was found between groups (P0.05). Our linear regression model demonstrated a significant effect of the presence of chronic cough on the VHI-30, RSI, and GFI questionnaires (P0.05). Our model also found that the VHI-30 is a significant predictor for the (G), (B), (A), and (S) components of the GRBAS scale (P0.05).The presence of chronic cough has a significant impact on the different patient-reported outcome measures, including VHI-30, RSI, and GFI. The use of VHI-30 as a predictor for the GRBAS scale reinforces the importance of subjective and perceptual assessment among patients with voice disorders and establishes a new area for exploration.

Background Previous sleep electroencephalography studies have detected abnormalities in sleep architecture and sleep spindle deficits in schizophrenia (SCZ), but the consistency of these results was not robust, which might be due to the small sample size and the influence of clinical factors such as the various medication therapies and symptom heterogeneity. This study aimed to regard auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) as a pointcut to downscale the heterogeneity of SCZ and explore whether some sleep architecture and spindle parameters were more severely impaired in SCZ patients with AVHs compared with those without AVHs. Methods A total of 90 SCZ patients with AVHs, 92 SCZ patients without AVHs, and 91 healthy control subjects were recruited, and parameters of sleep architecture and spindle activities were compared between groups. The correlation between significant sleep parameters and clinical indicators was analyzed. Results Deficits of sleep spindle activities at prefrontal electrodes and intrahemispheric spindle coherence were observed in both AVH and non-AVH groups, several of which were more serious in the AVH group. In addition, deficits of spindle activities at central and occipital electrodes and interhemispheric spindle coherence mainly manifested accompanying AVH symptoms, most of which were retained in the medication-naive first-episode patients, and were associated with Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale scores. Conclusions Our results suggest that the underlying mechanism of spindle deficits might be different between SCZ patients with and without AVHs. In the future, the sleep feature of SCZ patients with different symptoms and the influence of clinical factors, such as medication therapy, should be further illustrated.

Background Obesity is a chronic condition, affecting central and peripheral nervous system. Studies on cranial nerve conduction in obesity are scarce and unclear; therefore, we planned this study. The aim of this study was to evaluate optic and auditory nerve conductions in obesity. Methods It was a case-control study, with inclusion of 40 young males (20 obese and 20 controls) in age group of 18–30 years. We recorded pattern reversal visual evoked potential (PRVEP) and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP). The PRVEP P100 latency and BAEP absolute and interpeak latencies were analyzed. Results In obese individuals, BAEP absolute latencies of wave V were significantly prolonged in both the ears and wave I in left ear. In addition, significant prolongation of interpeak latency III–V was observed in both the ears and I–V latency, in right ear among obese cases. A positive correlation was seen between body mass index and interpeak latency I–V. In PRVEP recordings, P100 latency did not show any significant difference in both the groups. Conclusion Therefore, we can conclude that obesity does not affect optic nerve conduction, but auditory nerve conduction is affected. BAEP I–V interpeak latency may be an indicator of subclinical auditory conduction defects in young obese males.

A 78-year-old woman with hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2 and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was referenced to geriatric psychiatry consultation. She presented cognitive dysfunction, erotomanic delusion and complex musical hallucinations (MH), described as hearing her neighbour singing a familiar church song along with bells in the background, making comments and talking to her. A computed tomography (CT) of the brain detected small right nucleocapsular and bilateral external capsules hypodensities of presumed vascular aetiology during hospitalisation. MH are a rare phenomenon with heterogeneous aetiology. Most frequently, the cause is hearing impairment; other causes include social isolation, cognitive dysfunction, vascular risk factors and medication. Studies suggest that some brain areas related to musical memory circuitry might be related and not fully mapped. Auditory verbal hallucinations with a voice that either comments, talks or sings to the patient have never been described in the literature, making this clinical case attractive. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Background & Objective: We have previously identified aberrant connectivity of the left precuneus, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and anterior insula in patients with either a paranoid (schizophrenia), or a depressive syndrome (both unipolar and bipolar). In the current study, we attempted to replicate and expand these findings by including a healthy control sample and separating the patients in a depressive episode into two groups: unipolar and bipolar depression. We hypothesized that the connections between those major nodes of the resting state networks would demonstrate different patterns in the three patient groups compared to the healthy subjects. Method: Resting-state functional MRI was performed on a sample of 101 participants, of which 26 patients with schizophrenia (current psychotic episodes), 24 subjects with Bipolar Disorder (BD), 33 with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (both BD and MDD patients were in a current depressive episode), and 21 healthy controls. Spectral Dynamic Causal Modeling was used to calculate the coupling values between eight regions of interest, including the anterior precuneus (PRC), anterior hippocampus, anterior insula, angular gyrus, lateral Orbitofrontal Cortex (OFC), middle frontal gyrus, planum temporale, and anterior thalamus. Results & Conclusion: We identified disturbed effective connectivity from the left lateral orbitofrontal cortex to the left anterior precuneus that differed significantly between unipolar depression, where the influence was inhibitory, and bipolar depression, where the effect was excitatory. A logistic regression analysis correctly classified 75% of patients with unipolar and bipolar depression based solely on the coupling values of this connection. In addition, patients with schizophrenia demonstrated negative effective connectivity from the anterior PRC to the lateral OFC, which distinguished them from healthy controls and patients with major depression. Future studies with unmedicated patients will be needed to establish the replicability of our findings.

Bronchial asthma is a common clinical disease in pediatrics. It affects brain function and causes cognitive impairment due to long-term hypoxia in the brain. Studies have shown attention deficits in asthma children, but lack the basis for brain studies. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) based on functional connectivity analysis was used in this study, and 31 asthma children and typically developing children (TDC) were compared in degree centricity (DC), voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) and continuous performance test (CPT). The study found that the correct number of CPT in the asthma group was significantly lower than the TDC group. And the reaction time in the asthma group was significantly longer than the TDC group. Compared with TDC group, asthma children exhibited lower DC value in the right superior frontal gyrus (after FDR correction, P

Summary Objectives The vocal tract discomfort scale is a self-rating seven-point Likert scale that quantifies frequency and severity of eight qualitative descriptors including burning, tight, dry, aching, tickling, sore, irritable, and lump in the throat, and ranges from 0 (never/none) to 6 (always/extreme; Mathieson et al. 2009). The objectives of the current study were to compare the vocal tract discomfort scale results between elementary school teachers and high school teachers and between male and female teachers using the Persian vocal tract discomfort scale. Also, teachers in different age ranges and with different experiences were compared regarding vocal tract discomfort symptoms. Methods The researchers chose 20 elementary and high schools by simple random sampling in Khorramabad, Iran. The survey was given to available teachers of the selected schools. Considering the inclusion criteria, required sample size, and after excluding questionnaires that were not correctly answered, 120 were selected such that 30 were chosen for each subgroup. Subjects consisted of 60 elementary school teachers (30 females and 30 males) with the mean age of 40.92 years (standard deviation = 6.07) and 60 high school teachers (30 females and 30 males) with the mean age of 40.67 years (standard deviation = 6.00). SPSS 25 was used for analyzing the data. Results Results indicated that the frequency and severity of the vocal tract discomfort in elementary school teachers were significantly higher than for the high school teachers with a medium to large effect size. Although the frequency and severity of the symptoms were higher in female compared with male teachers, those differences were not significantly different. Younger teachers had lower frequency and severity ratings of vocal tract discomfort symptoms than older teachers. Teaching experience was not an important factor in predicting vocal tract discomfort symptoms in teachers. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that there is higher frequency, greater severity, and higher percentages of vocal tract discomfort symptoms in elementary compared with high school teachers. In addition, although the mean frequency and severity of vocal tract discomfort symptoms were not significantly different between females and males, females reported higher percentages of the symptoms. Because each of the eight vocal tract symptoms was experienced at the time of testing by between 42% (tightness) and 68% (dryness) of the participants, it is suggested that an educational program regarding vocal tract discomfort may be helpful for this profession.

Background Atypical arousal regulation may explain slower mean reaction time (MRT) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder compared with typical development. The locus coeruleus–norepinephrine system (LC-NE) underlies arousal regulation and adapts its activity to the utility of a task. LC-NE tonic and phasic activity are indexed by baseline pupil size (BPS) and stimulus-evoked pupillary response (SEPR). Methods The study assessed pupillometry in ASD (n = 31, 3 female/28 male), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (n = 28, 3 female/25 male), and typically developing control subjects (n = 31, 16 female/15 male) during a visuospatial reaction-time task that manipulates arousal by conditions with low and high task utility. We estimated linear mixed models of BPS, SEPR, and MRT in a per-trial analysis to investigate arousal regulation of task performance. Results Slower MRT occurred in the ASD group compared with the typically developing control group during low-utility conditions while controlling for dimensional ASD and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms. In low-utility conditions, BPS and SEPR were inversely related and both were associated with faster MRT. Increased ASD symptoms across groups were associated with higher BPS during low-utility conditions. Changes in BPS and SEPR between task-utility conditions were smaller in the ASD group. Conclusions Slower visuospatial task performance in ASD is specific to low task utility. Arousal was associated with task performance and showed altered activity in ASD. Increased BPS during low-utility conditions suggested increased LC-NE tonic activity as an ASD symptom marker in children. Smaller changes in BPS and SEPR in ASD indicated attenuated LC-NE activity adaptation in response to high-utility conditions. Slower performance and atypical arousal regulation are probably associated with attenuated LC-NE activity adaptation.

Summary Objective Singers undergoing tonsillectomy are understandably concerned about possible sequelae to their voice. The surgical risks of laryngeal damage from intubation and upper airway scarring are valid reasons for singers to carefully consider their options for treatment of tonsil-related symptoms. No prior studies have statistically assessed objective voice outcomes in a group of adult singers undergoing tonsillectomy. This study determined the impact of tonsillectomy on the adult singing voice by determining if there were statistically significant changes in preoperative versus postoperative acoustic, aerodynamic, and Voice-Related Quality of Life (VRQOL) measures. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary Referral Academic Hospital Subjects Thirty singers undergoing tonsillectomy from 2012 to 2019. Methods Acoustic recordings were obtained with Computerized Speech Lab (CSL) (Pentax CSL 4500) and analyzed with the Multidimensional Voice Program (MDVP) (Pentax MDVP) and Pratt Acoustic Analysis Software. Estimates of aerodynamic vocal efficiency were obtained and analyzed using the Phonatory Aerodynamic System (Pentax PAS 6600). Preoperative VRQOL scores were recorded, and singers were instructed to refrain from singing for 3 weeks following tonsillectomy. Repeat acoustic and aerodynamic measures as well as VRQOL scores were obtained at the first postoperative visit. Results Average postoperative acoustic (jitter, shimmer, HNR) and aerodynamic (sound pressure level divided by subglottal pressure) parameters related to laryngeal phonatory function did not differ significantly from preoperative measures. The only statistically significant change in postoperative measures of resonance was a decrease in the 3rd formant (F3) for the /a/ vowel. Average postoperative VRQOL scores (79.8, SD18.7) improved significantly from preoperative VRQOL scores (89, SD12.2) (P = 0.007). Conclusions Tonsillectomy does not appear to alter laryngeal voice production in adult singers as measured by standard acoustic and aerodynamic parameters. The observed decrease in F3 for the /a/ vowel is hypothetically related to increasing the pharyngeal cross-sectional area by removing tonsillar tissue, but this would not be expected to appreciably impact the perceptual characteristics of the vowel. Singers’ self-assessment (VRQOL) improved after tonsillectomy.

Background The hippocampus is a brain structure important for memory and cognitive function. Physical activity may help prevent hippocampal atrophy. However, few studies have measured sedentary behavior (SB) and intensity-specific physical activity using an accelerometer. This study aimed to examine the cross-sectional associations of objectively-determined SB, light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) measured by an accelerometer with hippocampal volume among community-dwelling older adults using compositional data analysis (CoDa) approach. Methods This cross-sectional study was part of the Neuron to Environmental Impact across Generations (NEIGE) study. A randomly recruited sample of 485 Japanese older adults (47% male; aged 65-84 years) wore tri-axial accelerometers (Omron Healthcare) for seven consecutive days in 2017. Hippocampal volume was measured with magnetic resonance imaging and the left and right hippocampal volumes were automatically segmented using FreeSurfer software. Associations of sedentary and physically active behaviors with hippocampal volume were examined with compositional linear regression analysis based on isometric log-ratio transformations of time use adjusted for potential confounding factors. Results The relative proportion of time spent in MVPA, compared to the other two activities, was significantly positively associated with right hippocampal volume (β: 57.1, p-value = 0.027).However, no association existed between higher proportions of MVPA and left hippocampal volume, or between proportions of SB or LPA with either left or right hippocampal volumes. Conclusions The proportion of time spent in MVPA, relative to the other two activities, was significantly positively associated with right hippocampal volume. MVPA may be beneficial for maintaining hippocampal volume.

Objective There is emerging evidence that individual levels of sensory sensitivity may impact treatment outcomes for people recovering from burn injuries. For example, individuals with higher levels of sensory sensitivity were less adherent with compression garment wear, often used for scar management. The purpose of this study was to characterise sensory patterns for a sample of burn-injured patients as a cohort, using normative data as the reference. As different patterns of sensory processing can have implications clinically, understanding this at the cohort level may provide valuable insight for therapy. Method This was a secondary analysis of data collected during a cross-sectional study. Adults (N=117) attending the Professor Stuart Pegg Adult Burns Unit outpatient clinic completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and the following quantitative sensory tests: two-point discrimination; mechanical detection threshold; and pressure pain threshold. Results Compared to matched normative data, burn-injured patients reported higher levels of sensory sensitive and avoiding patterns, and experienced lower detection thresholds for touch and pain. Conclusions Higher reports of sensory sensitivity and sensory avoiding, and lower thresholds for touch and pain, have been correlated with tactile defensiveness. Tactile defensiveness has been associated with social withdrawal and isolation, all of which could contribute to decreased engagement in therapy. The ways in which these sensory characteristics impact on burn-related treatments, such as compression garment adherence, warrant further investigation.

OBJECTIVE Olfaction influences nutrition, safety, and the cognitive development of children. Presently there are few olfactory tests for children, and normative reference values are generally lacking. In this study, we validate the Pediatric Smell Wheel® (PSW) to evaluate olfactory function in Brazilian children. METHODS We modified and validated the PSW, a test developed in the United States, for administration in Brazil, and established normative data for Brazilian children. The validation process consisted of five phases: First, we identified odorants familiar to Brazilian children. Second, we established the test-retest reliability of the Brazilian PSW test that employed these odorants. Third, we compared the test scores of healthy children to those microsmic from adenoid hypertrophy. Fourth, we examined the test's ability to detect improvement in olfactory function before and after adenoidectomy. Finally, we determined a normative 10th percentile cut point for defining microsmia in a sample of 169 healthy Brazilian children between 5 and 12 years of age. RESULTS Eleven odors were identified for inclusion in the test. The test-retest reliability was modest (r = 0.54, p

Objective: There are few studies on long-latency auditory evoked potential (P300) in people with hearing loss who use a cochlear implant. Central auditory system evaluation with behavioral and electrophysiological tests is believed to help understand the neuroplasticity mechanisms involved in auditory functioning after cochlear implant surgery. This study investigated the electrophysiological processing of cortical level acoustic signals in a group of 21 adult individuals with postlingual bilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss who were submitted to cochlear implant surgery. Methods: Data were collected in three phases: pre-cochlear implant surgery, at cochlear implant activation, and 6 months after surgery. P300 measures were also registered during all phases. Tone-burst and speech stimuli were used to elicit P300 and were presented in free field. Results: Mean P3 component latency with tone-burst and speech stimuli were 352.9 and 321.9 ms in the pre-cochlear implant phase, 364.9 and 368.7 ms in the activation phase, 336.2 and 343.6 ms 6 months after the surgery. The P3 component mean latency values using tone-burst at activation were significantly different from those 6 months after cochlear implant. They were also significantly different using speech, between pre-cochlear implant and activation phases. Lower P3 component latency occurred 6 months after cochlear implant activation with tone-burst and pre-cochlear implant with speech stimulus. There was a weak correlation between mean P3 component latency with speech stimulus and time of hearing loss. There was no difference in amplitude between phases or in the comparison with the other variables. Conclusion: There were changes in P3 component latency during the period assessed, for both speech and pure-tone stimuli, with increased latency in the activation phase and similar lower results in the two other phases, Pre-CI and 6 months after CI use. Mean amplitude measures did not vary in the three phases.

Introduction Assessing olfactory perception in olfactory disorders is of utmost importance in therapy management. However, the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test and the Sniffin’ Sticks are the only tests validated in Brazil. Objectives To evaluate the correlation and agreement between the Chemosensory Clinical Research Center olfactory test and the Brief-Smell Identification Test – University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test – in healthy participants and in participants with olfactory disorders based on the results and technical aspects of both tests. Methods Fifty participants without olfactory complaints and 50 participants with olfactory disorders who underwent the Chemosensory Clinical Research Center olfactory test and the Brief-Smell Identification Test were included. The following tests were used for statistical analysis: Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman’s correlation, intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plot. An alpha error (significance level) of 0.05 was considered in the statistical analysis. Results Both tests were effective in distinguishing the groups without the presence of overlapping values ​​for the measured markers. Additionally, there was a strong correlation between Spearman’s correlation and intraclass correlation coefficient between the tests and for both nostrils. However, the correlations were lower when the groups were individually evaluated. The Bland-Altman plot showed no bias when all participants were simultaneously evaluated. Conclusions The tests to assess olfactory perception presented a high level of agreement. In our sample, we could infer that the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center olfactory test is similar to the Brief-Smell Identification Test and can be used in the routine diagnosis of patients with complaints of olfactory disorders, considering the advantage of its low cost.

We report a novel type of idiopathic bilateral vestibulopathy with acute simultaneous involvement of the vestibulo-ocular reflex limited to the low-frequency range. A 64-year-old female presented with dizziness, oscillopsia, and difficulty walking. She did not experience rotatory vertigo and did not show any nystagmus. Vestibular function tests showed absent caloric responses in both ears, while vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gains in the video head impulse test (vHIT) were preserved in all six semicircular canals. Cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in response to air-conducted sound were absent on both sides. Since the caloric test and vHIT measures low-frequency and high-frequency VOR, respectively, we diagnosed the patient as having a bilateral VOR deficit limited to the low-frequency range. During a 1-year follow-up with vestibular rehabilitation, the subjective symptom of dizziness gradually recovered while recovery of vestibular function was minimal.

The aim of our study is to evaluate objective and subjective vocal outcomes in patients undergoing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy and to assess the vocal outcome in the known laryngeal dysmotility patterns induced by VNS. We enrolled 16 adult patients without cognitive impairment who had undergone VNS implant for drug-resistant epilepsy at least 1 year prior. They were evaluated by flexible fibreoptic laryngeal examination and Voice Handicap Index questionnaire administration; acoustic and perceptual voice analysis was performed both at rest and during VNS activation. All recruited patients were admitted to the study. The VNS implant systematically determined laryngeal motility alterations, which were in turn mirrored by perceptual, subjective, and/or acoustic analysis voice alterations in all patients. Patients with intact vocal fold function at rest performed worse during acoustic voice analysis in terms of jitter during VNS activation and shimmer at rest when compared to other laryngeal patterns (P= 0.027 and P = 0.034, respectively, Kruskal-Wallis test). Furthermore, VNS activation determined an overall worsening of the perceptual and acoustically analysed voice quality: the grade of hoarseness, instability and breathiness parameters of the GRBASI (grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, strain, instability) scale and the jitter, shimmer and noise-to-harmonic ratio of the acoustic analysis worsened significantly during VNS activation (P = 0.001, P = 0.021, P = 0.012, P.001, P = 00.002, P = 0.039, respectively, Wilcoxon test). According to our results, the VNS implant determines a significantly impaired vocal outcome that has a surprisingly mild impact on Voice Handicap Index scores. Such impairment is significantly greater in patients with intact vocal fold function at rest.

Summary Objective/Hypothesis There is an increased need for vocal education programs in group fitness instructors due to the reported risk of phonotraumatic injury in this population. Most research has focused on aerobics class instructors with limited research detailing the vocal demand response of cycling instruction, specifically. We hypothesized that instruction of a single indoor cycling class would produce evidence of acute vocal fold edema manifested by worsening of acoustic and self-perceptual voice measures and changes in ratings of laryngeal appearance. Study Design Prospective Cohort study. Methods Acoustic and self-perceptual voice measures that were potentially sensitive to laryngeal edema were collected from ten cycling instructors (Mean age: 31 ± 6.14 years, 3M and 7F) before and after instruction of a typical 45-minute cycling class. Two laryngologists then rated pairs of laryngeal exams from five instructors (Mean age: 30 ± 6.22 years, 1M and 4F) on the measure of vocal fold edema using a 10-inch Visual Analogue Scale. Paired t-test comparisons were completed on normalized data to compare pre- and postinstruction. Results Majority of acoustic and self-perceptual measures significantly worsened following cycling instruction but the magnitude of change in these measures were small. In terms of laryngeal appearance, no measurable change in vocal fold edema was observed at both time points. Conclusion The vocal demand response to a single cycling class may be insufficient to cause significant vocal fold edema in our cycling instructors. Future research is required to determine the effects of repeated cycling instruction.

Introduction: The human brain shows modest traits of sexual dimorphism, with the female brain, on average, 10% smaller than the male brain. These differences do not imply a lowered cognitive performance, but suggest a more optimal brain organization in women. Here we evaluate the patterns of functional connectivity (FC) in women and men from the Connectomics of Brain Aging and Dementia sample. Methods: We used phase locking values to calculate FC from the magnetoencephalography time series in a sample of 138 old adults (87 females and 51 males). We compared the FC patterns between sexes, with the intention of detecting regions with different levels of connectivity. Results: We found a frontal cluster, involving anterior cingulate and the medial frontal lobe, where women showed higher FC values than men. Involved connections included the following: (1) medial parietal areas, such as posterior cingulate cortices and precunei; (2) right insula; and (3) medium cingulate and paracingulate cortices. Moreover, these differences persisted when considering only cognitively intact individuals, but not when considering only cognitively impaired individuals. Discussion: Increased anteroposterior FC has been identified as a biomarker for increased risk of developing cognitive impairment or dementia. In our study, cognitively intact women showed higher levels of FC than their male counterparts. This result suggests that neurodegenerative processes could be taking place in these women, but the changes are undetected by current diagnosis tools. FC, as measured here, might be valuable for early identification of this neurodegeneration.

Integrating animals into therapy is applied increasingly in patients in a minimally conscious state (MCS). This pilot study investigates the effect of animal presence on frontal brain activity in MCS patients compared to healthy subjects. O; 2; HB, HHb and tHb of two MCS patients and two healthy adults was measured in frontal cortex using functional near-infrared spectroscopy during three sessions with a live animal and three sessions with a mechanical toy animal present. Each session had five phases: (1) baseline, (2) watching animal, (3) passive contact, (4) active contact, (5) neutral. Data were descriptively analysed. All participants showed the largest hemodynamic response during direct contact with the live or toy animal compared to "baseline" and "watching." During active contact, three of the four participants showed a stronger response when stroking the live compared to the toy animal. All participants showed an inverted signal with higher HHb than O; 2; Hb concentrations while stroking the live or toy animal. Animal contact leads to a neurovascular reaction in both MCS patients and healthy subjects, indicating elevated neural activity in the frontal cortex. We conclude that while a toy animal can elicit attention processes, active contact to a living animal is combined with emotional processes.

OBJECTIVES We sought to evaluate whether the cutaneous silent period (CSP) could be an electrophysiological indicator reflective of the effects of therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD), including anti-PD medications or deep brain stimulation (DBS). MATERIAL AND METHODS We recorded the CSP in 43 patients with PD prior to and following the administration of medication during a pre-DBS evaluation (30 cases) and the "on" and "off" states of subthalamic nucleus DBS (13 cases). The CSP was elicited from the abductor pollicis brevis muscle by an electrical stimulation of the index finger that was 2, 4, and 15 times stronger than the sensory threshold (ST). We measured changes in latencies, including the onset, duration, and end of CSP, and waveform scores from 0 to 3. The correlation between the CSP score and unified PD rating score part III (UPDRS-III) also was assessed. RESULTS The onset latency and duration of CSP were significantly different between high (15ST) and low-strength stimulations (2ST and 4ST). However, there were no significant latency changes (onset, duration, end of CSP) before and after receiving medication, or during the on and off state of the DBS. Anti-PD medications substantially increased the CSP waveform score only in the 4ST state. However, the waveform score significantly increased in all stimuli states during the DBS-on state. Both medication and the DBS-on state decreased the UPDRS-III. Nevertheless, there was no statistically significant correlation between the UPDRS-III and CSP waveform scores. CONCLUSION Different onset latencies and the duration of CSP between low- and high-strength stimuli support the hypotheses proposing two different reflex pathways. Despite being independent from the UPDRS-III, the CSP may be an electrophysiological indicator reflective of the changes in inhibitory activity to the spinal α-motoneuron in response to anti-PD medications and DBS.

Background Theta burst stimulation (TBS), a patterned repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) protocol with shorter simulation duration and lower stimulus intensity, could be a better protocol for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Our study aimed to explore the impacts of intermittent TBS (iTBS) over the bilateral posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS) on intellectually able adults with ASD. Material and methods In this randomized, single-blinded, sham-controlled crossover trial, 13 adults with ASD completed iTBS for 5 consecutive days over the bilateral pSTS and inion (as a sham control) in a 16-weeks interval and in a randomly assigned order. The neuropsychological function was measured with the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) for cognitive flexibility while the clinical outcomes were measured with both self-rate and parents-rate Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) before and after 5-day iTBS interventions. Results The results revealed significantly immediate effects of multi-session iTBS over the bilateral pSTS on parent-rate autistic symptoms in adults with ASD. The post-hoc analysis revealed the impacts of multi-session iTBS on cognitive flexibility were affected by baseline social-communicative impairment and baseline cognitive performance. Besides, the impacts of multi-session iTBS on clinical symptoms was affected by the concurrent psychotropic medication use and baseline autistic symptoms. Conclusions Given the caveat of the small sample size and discrepancy of multiple informants, this pilot study suggests the therapeutic potential of 5-day multi-session iTBS over the pSTS in adults with ASD. Individual factors modulating the response to rTMS should be explicitly considered in the future trial.

Introduction: Diagnosing the etiology underlying dementia symptoms can be difficult because of the broad nature of shared cognitive impairments across dementia subtypes. Therefore, we sought to differentiate the cognitive profiles of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) from vascular dementia (VaD) and Lewy body dementia (LBD). Methods: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PsychINFO were searched for studies comparing the cognitive profile of AD to those of VaD and LBD along the domains of memory, language, and executive function. Results: Short-term and episodic memory were more severely impaired in AD than VaD and LBD. Semantic memory was more impaired in AD than LBD, but it was similarly impaired in AD and VaD. Semantic fluency was worse in AD than in VaD, and phonemic fluency was worse in AD compared to VaD and LBD. Naming was more impaired in AD compared to VaD and LBD. Executive function impairments were similar or less severe in AD relative to VaD and LBD. Discussion: Findings may be explained through neuropathological correlates of each disease. Tau proteins targeting the medial temporal lobes and synaptic loss in prefrontal cortices in AD may explain greater memory deficits in AD relative to VaD and LBD. In those with AD, the temporal lobes undergo greater atrophy than in those with VaD and LBD, possibly contributing to the greater semantic fluency impairments in AD. Greater white matter loss in frontal lobes in VaD may be a reason for a worse phonemic fluency in VaD relative to AD. Executive function impairments may be attributable to more deep white matter hyperintensities in those with VaD and more dopaminergic dysfunction of the basal ganglia in those with LBD relative to those with AD. Conclusion: Understanding the cognitive profiles that differentiate AD from VaD and LBD would aid in more efficient and accurate diagnoses of dementia etiologies. Diagnoses could be further improved by using cognitive assessment in addition to neural and physiological measures. This knowledge may help identify individuals at risk of developing dementia, helping clinicians intervene early and prevent progression to severe stages.

Background: Smartphones can emit two types of electromagnetic waves, static field from magnet and dynamic field from calling. Previous evidence showed the interference effects from old generation of mobile phones to cardiac implantable electronic device (CIEDs). The current generation of smartphones and CIEDs are reportedly better designed to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). We seek to find the presence and the magnitude of EMI from the current generation of smartphones. Objectives: The primary objective was to find out the presence and the effect of electromagnetic interference from current generation smartphones on cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). The secondary objectives were to demonstrate safety of using current generation smartphones on cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Methods: A total of 80 subjects with CIEDs (Pacemaker, ICD, CRT-D, CRT-P) were recruited from our CIEDs clinic. Each subject was tested with three different smartphones (Nokia 3310, Iphone 7, and Samsung Galaxy S9), resulted in a total of 240 tests. Each phone was placed on chest wall, at pulse generator site, at atrial lead level, and at ventricular lead level. During the tests, real-time interrogations were performed to detect any EMI from smartphones in stand-by mode, and during calling-in and out for 30 seconds. After the tests, post-test interrogation was performed to detect any parameters changes. Adverse events including pacemaker inhibition, false ICD shock, CIEDs device malfunction, and urgent electro- physiologist consultations were recorded. Results: 80 subjects (Mean age 70.5 year-old, 50% male) were recruited in the study, and all completed 240 tests according to our protocol. The most common type of CIEDs tested was pacemaker (N=56, 70%), followed by ICD (N=16, 20%), and CRT (N=8, 10%). Most patients (N=62, 77.5%) had more than one lead implanted. The mean age of CIEDs implantation was 5.2 years (Devices were implanted since 2008-2019). Of all the tests performed, no electromagnetic interference (EMI) or adverse events was observed. Conclusion: Current generation of smartphones have no EMI effect to CIEDs and can be used safely without any adverse events including pacemaker inhibition, false ICD shock and CIEDs malfunction.

Johanson Blizzard syndrome (JBS) is an autosomal recessive disorder that shows a multi-faceted impact on almost all body functions, including speech and hearing. This case presentation describes the comprehensive audiological and rehabilitative profile of an 8-year-old female child with JBS while correlating the test results to the physiological aspects of hearing. Case history revealed poor developmental motor skills, delayed speech and language development with hypothyroidism, and dysmorphic facial features including low bat ears, micrognathia, high arched palate, and hypoplasia of nasal alae. Conditioned pure-tone audiometric responses revealed profound hearing loss of cochlear origin in both ears, which was substantiated with bilateral A-type tympanogram in immittance evaluation. Otoacoustic emissions and auditory brain stem response were absent in both ears, consistent with the audiometric findings. Rehabilitation attempts with a cochlear implant and hearing aid in the opposite ears showed differential improvements, which were in harmony with the aided thresholds. The physiological basis for each finding and future implications are discussed.

Summary Objective To verify the immediate effects of voiced gargling on the electrical activity of extrinsic laryngeal muscles and vocal self-assessment. Methods A sample of 20 individuals of both sexes, mean age of 31.95 (±11.57) years, were equally divided in two groups according to the presence or absence of vocal complaint. Both groups were evaluated by surface electromyography of the suprahyoid (SH) and infrahyoid (IH) muscle areas during rest, phonation of the sustained vowel [Ɛ] in habitual and strong intensities; phonation of rising and falling glissando; and counting from 1 to 10. Surface electromyography was assessed before and after the voiced gargling exercise, which lasted 1 minute. All participants self-rated their voice and phonatory comfort after the exercise. Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were applied, as well as Fisher's exact test and linear-to-linear test. The level of significance was 5%. Results The percentage of electrical activity of the SH muscle area decreased in the glissando and counting tasks in the group with vocal complaint, as well as in phonation of sustained vowel in strong intensity in the group without complaint. Decrease was also observed in the right IH muscle area at rest and during sustained vowel phonation at habitual and strong intensities. Percentage of muscular electrical activity was lower in the group with complaint in the following situations: IH muscle area on both sides, at rest and during habitual phonation of sustained vowel and glissando before and after the exercise; right IH muscle area, during counting and strong phonation of sustained vowel before and after exercise; left IH muscle area, in the counting task, just after intervention. Most participants noticed improvement in voice (70%) and phonatory comfort (65%). Conclusions Voiced gargling during 1 minute promotes immediate effects on the electrical activity of the extrinsic laryngeal muscles in individuals with or without vocal complaint. Most individuals reported improved voice and phonatory comfort after exercise.

Objectives This study aimed to determine the acoustic characteristics of the external auditory canal (EAC) and predict the real-ear aided response (REAR) using an EAC model that includes the standing wave effect. Methods The EAC transfer function equations were derived by summing the incoming and outgoing waves. First, we investigated the real-ear unaided gain (REUG). Second, seven patients (eight ears) wearing hearing aids (HAs) were enrolled as subjects to examine the REAR. We conducted wideband tympanometry (WBT) to measure the absorbance, the frequency response at 65 dB (65dB-FR) of the HAs, and the measured REAR for an international speech test signal (ISTS) at 65 dB. Results The EAC model that includes the standing-wave effect is considered to be valid from examination of the REUG. A significant correlation was found between the measured and calculated REARs at 900 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 3000 Hz in an uncorrelated test. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) found significant differences in the 65dB-FR and the measured REARs at 800, 900, 1000, and 2000 Hz, but this difference disappeared after correction of the calculated acoustic characteristics of the EAC. Conclusions By measuring the WBT characteristics and correcting them with an EAC model, the in-situ REAR can be determined from the HA characteristics in the mid-frequency range. There is a risk of insufficient HA amplification in the mid-frequency range when no real-ear measurements are performed.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a possible neurotherapeutic alternative to psychostimulants in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, very little is known regarding the mechanisms of action of tDCS in children and adolescents with ADHD. We conducted the first multi-session, sham-controlled study of anodal tDCS over right inferior frontal cortex (rIFC), a consistently under-functioning region in ADHD, combined with cognitive training (CT) in 50 children/adolescents with ADHD. This study investigated the underlying mechanisms of action on resting and Go/No-Go Task-based QEEG measures in a subgroup of 23 participants with ADHD (n, sham=10; anodal tDCS=13). We found no significant sham versus anodal tDCS group differences in QEEG spectral power during rest and Go/No-Go Task performance, no correlation between the QEEG and Go/No-Go Task performance, and no effect on clinical and cognitive outcome measures. These findings extend the null clinical or cognitive effects in our whole sample of 50 children/adolescents with ADHD. Our findings do not indicate multi-session anodal tDCS with CT over rIFC as a treatment for children/adolescents with ADHD. Larger RCTs should explore different protocols titrated to the individual and using comprehensive measures to assess cognitive, clinical, and neural effects of tDCS and its underlying mechanisms of action in ADHD.

Objective In Japan, the 57S and 67S single syllable lists have been used to test speech perception in cochlear implant (CI) users. However, due to advances in implants and processors, these lists have become too simple for CI users. In 2019, the Japan Otological Society created a new list, referred to as the iCI2004. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of these lists. Methods The Japanese single syllable speech perception tests, iCI2004, 57S, and 67S, were administered to 70 patients with CI users. The effects of single syllable characteristics on the test scores were examined. The type and number of single syllables used in each list were different. Therefore, we compared the scores for normal lists, shared single syllables, and non-shared single syllables. Results The average test results were 52% for iCI2004, 64% for 57S, and 77% for 67S; 67S performed the best, followed by 57S and iCI2004. The test results were significantly different. In a comparison of shared single syllables, the average scores were 58% for iCI2004 and 63% for 57S (45 pieces). A comparison of iCI2004 and 67S (17 pieces) showed that the average scores were 63% for iCI2004 and 75% for 67S. A comparison of 57S and 67S (20 pieces) showed that the average score for 57S was 70% and the average scored for 67S was 77%. No significant differences were detected under all conditions. Based on these results, the type of single syllable adopted affected the result. Conclusion The data gives no clear indication that the selection of the word table or presentation of sound pressure affects listening to sound for CI users in Japan. Based on the type and number of single syllables used, iCI2004 seems appropriate for evaluation of hearing in patients using CI.

Purpose and background Post-traumatic olfactory dysfunction (PTOD), mostly caused by head injury, is thought to be associated with changes in the structure and function of the brain olfactory processing areas. Training and repeated exposure to odorants lead to enhanced olfactory capability. This study investigated the effects of a 16-weeks olfactory training (OT) on olfactory function and brain structure. Methods Twenty-five patients with PTOD were randomly divided in three groups: (1) 9 control patients who did not receive any training, (2) 9 patients underwent classical OT by 4 fixed odors, and (3) 7 patients underwent modified OT coming across 4 sets of 4 different odors sequentially. Before and after the training period, all patients performed olfactory function tests and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Sniffin’ Sticks test was used to assess olfactory function. MRI data were analyzed using voxel-based morphometry and surface-based morphometry. Results Both trained groups showed a considerable recovery of olfactory function, especially in odor identification. MRI data analysis revealed that the classical OT leads to increases in cortical thickness/density of several brain regions, including the right superior and middle frontal gyrus, and bilateral cerebellums. In addition, the modified OT yielded a lower extent of cortical measures in the right orbital frontal cortex and right insular. Following modified OT, a positive correlation was observed between the odor identification and the right orbital frontal cortex. Conclusion Both olfactory training methods can improve olfactory function and that the improvement is associated with changes in the structure of olfactory processing areas of the brain.

Objective Because of the anatomically close relationship between the cochlea and the vestibular organs, cochlear function disorders may be accompanied by vestibular disorders. This study aimed to evaluate vestibular functions in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss using VEMP, caloric test, and VNG test battery and its relation to prognosis. Materials and Methods For this study, 42 patients aged 18–55 years with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and 30 volunteers who had no hearing and balance problems were included. Audiometry, cVEMP, oVEMP, caloric tests, and VNG tests were performed. Moreover, the effects of age, sex, time of admission, degree and configuration of hearing loss, accompanying vertigo, tinnitus, and ear fullness on improvement in hearing were evaluated. Results Of the 42 patients in the study group, 26 (56.52%) were male, 20 (43.48%) were female, and the mean age was 41.54 ± 12.23 years. Of the 30 individuals in the control group, 19 (63.3%) were male, 11 (36.7%) were female, and the mean age was 39.53 ± 13.03 years. There was no significant difference in the incidence of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in terms of sex and age, and the prognosis was better for female patients. Early admission to treatment was a factor of good prognosis; profound hearing loss, bilateral hearing loss and vertigo were factors of poor prognosis. Prognosis was better in patients with rising type audiogram configuration, while the prognosis was worse in patients with flat, descending and total hearing loss. Tinnitus and ear fullness had no effect on the prognosis. No anomalies were observed in VNG findings. Moreover, abnormal caloric response was higher in patients with profound hearing loss and total hearing configuration. Shortening was observed in cVEMP / oVEMP P1 and N1 latency after treatment. Furthermore, there was an improvement in abnormal responses after treatment. Conclusion In this study, vestibular function was affected in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The present study can help the development of a clinical strategy in the evaluation of the vestibular system in idiopathic SSNHL, patient follow-up, patient information, and the implementation of vestibular rehabilitation. Note that additional studies involving larger patients series are required.

For undergraduate students, excessive screen time is associated with poorer mental health and greater perceived stress.HighlightsExcessive screen time is associated with higher levels of stress.Cross-sectional sample of 513 college-aged young adults.Adiposity and aerobic fitness were unrelated to stress.In high active individuals, screen time is unrelated to stress.In low active individuals, greater sleep attenuates the screen time-stress relationship.

BACKGROUND: Visual vertigo (VV), triggered by environmental or dynamic visual stimuli and repetitive visual patterns, can affect daily life activities. The Visual Vertigo Analogue Scale (VVAS) is a valid and reliable self-administered questionnaire to assess VV, which has been culturally adapted to the Argentine population but has not been validated. OBJECTIVE: To validate the Argentine version of VVAS (VVAS-A) by confirming its psychometric properties in patients with vestibular disorders. METHODS: Vestibular patients (n = 82) completed the VVAS-A and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory Argentine version (DHI-A) during their initial visit and one week later. The VVAS-A's internal consistency, test retest reliability, ceiling and floor effects, and construct validity were determined. Test-retest data (n = 71) was used to calculate reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 2.1). RESULTS: A ceiling effect was observed in 12 patients (14.6%). Internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.91). The reliability was r = 0.764 [CI 95%: 0.7 –0.86]). Correlations were observed between the VVAS-A and the total DHI-A score (rho = 0.571), the DHI-A physical subscale (rho: 0.578), and DHI-A functional and emotional subscales of the DHI-A (rho: 0.537 and 0.387, respectively). CONCLUSION: The VVA-A is a valid, reliable tool to evaluate VV in patients with vestibular disorders.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common multi-system neurodegenerative disorder with possible vestibular system dysfunction, but prior vestibular function test findings are equivocal. OBJECTIVE: To report and compare vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain as measured by the video head impulse test (vHIT) in participants with PD, including tremor dominant and postural instability/gait dysfunction phenotypes, with healthy controls (HC). METHODS: Forty participants with PD and 40 age- and gender-matched HC had their vestibular function assessed. Lateral and vertical semicircular canal VOR gains were measured with vHIT. VOR canal gains between PD participants and HC were compared with independent samples t-tests. Two distinct PD phenotypes were compared to HC using Tukey’s ANOVA. The relationship of VOR gain with PD duration, phenotype, severity and age were investigated using logistic regression. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in vHIT VOR gain for lateral or vertical canals. There was no evidence of an effect of PD severity, phenotype or age on VOR gains in the PD group. CONCLUSION: The impulsive angular VOR pathways are not significantly affected by the pathophysiological changes associated with mild to moderate PD.

Introduction Cochlear implantation is an effective treatment method for severe to profound hearing loss. Many factors that may influence cochlear implantation success have been explained in previous studies. Apart from those, minor differences in size of normal cochlear nerves may affect postoperative performance. Objective To investigate whether the minor differences in cochlear nerve size in normal cochlear nerves affect postoperative cochlear implant performance. Methods 30 pediatric prelingually deaf patients who were treated with cochlear implantation were included in this study. From the reconstructed parasagittal magnetic resonance images, the diameter and cross-sectional area of the cochlear nerve on the ipsilateral and contralateral side were measured. Auditory evaluations were performed 1, 3, 6 and 12 months following the first fitting. All the analysis was performed by using EARS®, evaluation of auditory responses to speech tool. Correlation between cochlear nerve diameter, cross-sectional area and postoperative auditory perception was analyzed to determine whether variation in cochlear nerve size contributes to postoperative auditory performance. Results The mean diameter of the cochlear nerve on the ipsilateral side was 718.4 μm (504.5 − 904.3 μm) and mean cross sectional area was 0.015 cm2 (0.012 − 0.018 cm2). On the contralateral side the mean cochlear nerve diameter was 714.4 μm (502.6 − 951.4 μm) and mean cross sectional area was 0.014 cm2 (0.011 − 0.019 cm2). The correlation between the diameter and cross-sectional area of the ipsilateral and contralateral cochlear nerve revealed no significance. Mean score at first month monosyllable-trochee-polysyllable test, MTP1, was 0.17 (0.08 − 0.33), at 6th month with 6 words test, 6th month MTP6 was 0.72 (0.39 − 1.0), at 6th month with 12 words, 6th month MTP 12 was 0.46 (0.17 − 0.75) and at 12th month with 12 words, 12th month MTP12 was 0.73 (0.25 − 1.0). There was no correlation between the monosyllable-trochee-polysyllable test, values at any time with the diameter of the ipsilateral cochlear nerve. However, the first month MTP, 6th month MTP6 and 12th month MTP12 correlated with the cross-sectional area of the ipsilateral cochlear nerve. Conclusion Measuring the cross sectional area of the normal- appearing cochlear nerve may give important prognostic knowledge on cochlear implant outcomes. In patients with a larger cross sectional area the auditory performance was better and faster. Although normal appearing, slight differences on cross sectional area of the cochlear nerve may affect performance. Measuring the size of the cochlear nerve on parasagittal magnetic resonance images may provide beneficial information on the postoperative rehabilitation process. Resumo Introdução O implante coclear é um método de tratamento eficaz para a perda auditiva grave a profunda. Muitos fatores que podem influenciar o sucesso do implante coclear foram explicados em estudos anteriores. Além desses fatores, pequenas diferenças no tamanho dos nervos cocleares normais podem afetar o desempenho pós-operatório. Objetivo Investigar se pequenas diferenças no tamanho dos nervos cocleares normais afetam o desempenho pós-operatório do implante coclear. Método Foram incluídos neste estudo 30 pacientes pediátricos surdos pré-linguais, tratados com implante coclear. A partir de imagens de ressonância magnética parassagitais reconstruídas, foram medidos o diâmetro e a área de seção transversal do nervo coclear no lado ipsilateral e contralateral. As avaliações auditivas foram feitas 1, 3, 6 e 12 meses após a primeira adaptação. Todas as análises foram feitas com a ferramenta EARS® (do inglês evaluation of auditory responses to speech). A correlação entre o diâmetro do nervo coclear, a área transversal e a percepção auditiva pós-operatória foi analisada para determinar se a variação no tamanho do nervo coclear contribui para o desempenho auditivo pós-operatório. Resultados O diâmetro médio do nervo coclear no lado ipsilateral foi de 718,4 μm (504,5 a 904,3 μm) e a área da seção transversal média foi de 0,015 cm2 (0,012-0,018 cm2). No lado contralateral, o diâmetro médio do nervo coclear foi de 714,4 μm (502,6 a 951,4 μm) e a área da seção transversal média foi de 0,014 cm2 (0,011 a 0,019 cm2). A correlação entre o diâmetro e a área transversal do nervo coclear ipsilateral e contralateral não revelou qualquer significância. O escore médio do teste monosyllable-trochee-polysyllable no primeiro mês, denominado MTP1, foi de 0,17 (0,08-0,33), no sexto mês com teste de 6 palavras, MTP6, foi de 0,72 (0,39-1,0), no sexto mês com 12 palavras, MTP12, foi de 0,46 (0,17-0,75) e no 12° mês com 12 palavras, MTP12, foi de 0,73 (0,25-1,0). Não houve correlação entre os valores do teste monosyllable-trochee-polysyllable em qualquer momento com o diâmetro do nervo coclear ipsilateral. Entretanto, o teste monosyllable-trochee-polysyllable do primeiro mês, do 6° mês, e o do 12° mês correlacionaram-se com a área transversal do nervo coclear ipsilateral. Conclusão Medir a área da secção transversal do nervo coclear de aparência normal pode fornecer conhecimento prognóstico importante sobre os resultados do implante coclear. Em pacientes com área da secção transversal maior, o desempenho auditivo foi melhor e mais rápido. Embora o nervo coclear pareça normal, pequenas diferenças na área da secção transversal do nervo coclear podem afetar o desempenho, de forma que a medida do tamanho do nervo coclear nas imagens de ressonância magnética na projeção parassagital pode fornecer informações benéficas sobre o processo de reabilitação pós-operatória.

Objective To assess the prevalence of impaired visual emotion recognition in patients who have suffered a minor ischemic stroke in the subacute phase and to determine associated factors of impaired visual emotion recognition. Design A prospective observational study. Setting Stroke-unit of a teaching hospital. Participants 112 patients with minor ischemic stroke. Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measures Patients with minor stroke underwent a neuropsychological assessment in the sub-acute phase for visual emotion recognition by the Ekman 60 Faces Test and for general cognition. Univariable linear regression analyses were performed to identify associated factors of emotion recognition impairment. Results In 112 minor stroke patients we found a prevalence of 25% of impaired visual emotion recognition. This was significantly correlated with impaired general cognition. Nevertheless 10.9% of patients with normal general cognition still had impaired emotion recognition. Mood was negatively associated. Stroke localization, hemisphere side and gender were not associated. Conclusion Impaired visual emotion recognition is found in about a quarter of patients with minor ischemic stroke.

Background Being able to function cognitively is imperative for successful achievement in school, working life, and disease self-management. Diabetes is known to cause changes in brain structure and long-term cognitive dysfunction. This work investigated cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) as a mechanism for cognitive impairment in people with CF. It was hypothesised that cognition would be poorer in adults with CFRD than in those with CF without diabetes (CFND) or in healthy controls. Methods Cognitive performance was assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery which provides a comprehensive cognitive assessment with tests mapping onto specific brain regions. Demographic, clinical and self-reported health data were documented for all participants. CF specific clinical variables were recorded for the two CF groups. Results Ninety-eight people with CF (49CFRD,49CFND) and 49 healthy controls were recruited. People with CF demonstrated deficits in aspects of verbal and spatial memory, processing speed and cognitive flexibility compared with healthy controls, with all areas of the brain implicated. Those with CFRD had additional difficulties with higher-level processes known collectively as ‘executive function’, which demand greater cognitive load and recruit the prefrontal cortex. Compared with healthy controls, those with CFND and CFRD had an estimated 20% and up to 40% reduction in processing speed respectively. Conclusion Managing CF requires higher order executive function. Impairments may be sufficient to interfere with self-care and the ability to perform everyday tasks efficiently. At which point in the CF disease trajectory these difficulties begin, and what may attenuate them, has yet to be determined.

Summary Objectives (1) To describe a combination voice rest and steroid regimen to clarify ambiguous diagnoses in singers who present with phonotraumatic lesions and (2) to determine which videostroboscopic parameters show the most consistent response to this regimen. Study Design Chart review. Methods Singers with phonotraumatic vocal fold lesions seen at a tertiary care voice center over a 10-year period were identified. Those who had uncertain diagnoses on initial presentation, completed a combination regimen including voice rest and steroids, and had follow-up examinations were included in the analysis. The effect of this combination regimen was assessed by ratings of pre- and postregimen videostroboscopy examinations and by auditory perceptual ratings. Whether the combination regimen clarified the diagnosis was noted. Results Twenty-nine singers were prescribed the combination regimen with the intent to clarify the diagnosis. In 79% (23/29) of these singers, the regimen helped clarify diagnosis, for example, ruling in or ruling out specific lesions, confirming areas of scar, or distinguishing acute from chronic phonotraumatic injury. Stroboscopic exams were improved in 86% (25/29). The most common stroboscopic finding was a reduction in the lesion size (66%). Auditory perceptual ratings improved in 48% (14/29) of patients. Conclusions A “cool down” combination of voice rest and steroids can improve diagnostic clarity in a subset of singers with phonotraumatic lesions. This combination regimen can be considered, with both the side effect profile of steroids and possible financial ramifications of strict voice rest in mind, when the initial diagnosis is unclear.

Objective Limited low frequency (LF) pitch and temporal fine structure (TFS) sensitivity have been thought to contribute significantly to poor music perception in cochlear implant (CI) listeners. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate music perception in relation to LF pitch perception and temporal coding, specifically in people with bimodal stimulation as a promising approach to improve spectro-temporal sensitivity in CI listeners. Methods Eleven postlingually deafened bimodal listeners participated in the study (mean age=55.5 years, range 36–75 years, SD=11.7). LF pitch/TFS sensitivity was evaluated by using two recently developed tests: Harmonic Intonation (HI) and Disharmonic Intonation (DI). The music perception protocol was based on three audio files in the genres of Classical, Jazz and Soul music and a music quality questionnaire regarding four subjective aspects: Clarity, Pleasantness, Naturalness and General Quality of Sounds. Results CI alone and bimodal findings showed statistically significant differences for both temporal coding and music perception. DI findings showed statistically significant correlations with music quality ratings (p Conclusion Bimodal music quality ratings were significantly better, indicating a significant improvement in the quality of music towards being significantly more clear, more natural, more pleasant, and better quality. Similarly, bimodal HI/DI findings improved significantly, although the amount of benefit was greater for the DI task with spectral information only below 300 Hz. Significant DI correlations with music quality ratings supported the test to be more indicative of better temporal coding of LF residual hearing and its effects on music perception.

Adenoid hypertrophy (AH) has been identified as a cause of otitis media with effusion (OME), which is the most common cause of childhood hearing loss. Indeed, there may be other upper airway-related predisposing factors such as, location of the adenoid, accompanying tonsillar hypertrophy (TH) and nasal septal deviation (NSD) for the development of OME. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the associations between the upper airway physicals and OME with auditory functions.Eighty-six ears of 43 children, aged 3-11 years were included in this prospective clinical study. Findings of otolaryngologic examinations were noted. Data of pure tone audiometry (PTA), traditional tympanometry (TT) and wideband tympanometry (WBT) parameters were collected. Cluster analysis was performed to the following variables: age, sex; the adenoid choana percentage (ACP), the presences of adenoid around torus tubarius (AATT), TH, NSD and OME; peak pressure (PP) values on TT, resonance frequencies (RF) on WBT, ambient pressure absorbance ratios (APAR) and PTA hearing thresholds.Two groups of ears revealed by clustering; cluster-1 (n = 46) and cluster-2 (n = 40), at the similarity level of 0.662. The presences of AH, AATT, OME and the medians of ACP, PP, RF, WBT APARs at all frequencies except 5656 Hz and 8000 Hz, all PTA thresholds were significantly different between two clusters (p0.05). The lower WBT APARs and higher PTA thresholds were associated with higher levels of ACP and higher frequencies of the presence of AATT and OME in cluster-1.There are associations between AH, AATT and OME together with decline in hearing and SEA. Whereas, TH and NSD are not related to the formation of clusters and they are insignificant factors.

Objective Inhalant users may develop toluene leukoencephalopathy, a devastating neuropsychiatric disorder. We present a case of toluene-induced damage to the corticospinal and the corticonuclear tracts, which presented with involuntary emotional expression disorder. Methods Case study of a 20-year-old man with a 3-year history of frequent solvent abuse was admitted to the Neuropsychiatry Unit of the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery because “he could not speak or walk” but would keep “laughing and crying without reason”. Results Neuropsychiatric examination revealed pathological laughter and crying, facial and speech apraxia, a bilateral pyramidal syndrome, and lack of control of urinary sphincter. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a highly selective bilateral damage to the pyramidal system and the somatosensory pathway. SPECT imaging showed left fronto-parietal hypoperfusion. Conclusions This document provides support for the understanding of involuntary emotional expression disorders as a differential diagnosis in the clinical practice of psychiatrists, as well as the functional anatomy of these conditions.

Background Cognitive impairment is frequent and disabling in multiple sclerosis (MS). The Brief International Cognitive Assessment in MS (BICAMS) is a recent short battery usable in clinical practice for cognitive evaluation of MS patients. Objective To find cortical areas or brain volumes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) structural sequences associated with BICAMS scores in MS. Methods In this cross-sectional single-center study (NCT03656055, September 4, 2018), 96 relapsing remitting-MS patients under natalizumab and without recent clinical or radiological inflammation were included. Patients underwent brain MRI and the three BICAMS tests, evaluating information processing speed (SDMT), visuo-spatial memory (BVMT-R), and verbal memory (FVLT). Results Cortical thickness in the left frontal superior and the right precentral gyri was associated with BVMT-R scores whereas cortical thickness in the left Broca's area and the right superior temporal gyrus was associated with FVLT scores. We observed associations between white matter inflammatory lesions connected to these cortical regions and BICAMS subscores. Conclusions BICAMS scores are associated with specific cortical areas, the cognitive domain matching the known functions of the cortical area. Specific cognitive impairments in MS may be associated with specific cortical regions, themselves influenced by white matter inflammatory lesions and demographical parameters (age, sex, education level).

Purpose: Theta Burst Stimulation can influence adult neuro-visual response in imbalanced visual pathways, possibly by influencing cortical excitability. Our objective was to compare suppressive imbalance (SI) and visual acuity (VA) after applying repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) between groups of subjects with normal binocular vision, visual asymmetry and amblyopia. Methods: Thirty – five volunteers between 19 and 51 years of age, were split into three groups: 6 volunteers with asymmetric VA (group A); 19 amblyopes (group B); and 10 subjects with normal binocular vision (group C). VA and SI of all groups were evaluated before and after a single session of continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) or placebo stimulation over the right occipital cortex. Results: In both groups A and B we found a significant VA improvement in the non-dominant eye after cTBS (p=0.04 and p=0.01, respectively). In SI evaluation, group A and group B also revealed a significant improvement after the cTBS session (p=0.03 and p=0.01, respectively).Finally, in the group of volunteers with normal binocular vision and for placebo groups A and B, there were no significant differences in VA and SI after cTBS. Conclusions: Amblyopic and visually asymmetric individuals improved VA and SI of the non-dominant eye after cTBS when compared to baseline and to placebo stimulation. These enhancements were not found in the group of volunteers with normal binocular vision. We can therefore reasonably assume that cTBS may interfere with the visual system of subjects that present some kind of asymmetry, possibly by improving neuronal imbalances.

BACKGROUND: The mastoid vibration (MV) has been used to investigate unilateral vestibular dysfunction by inducing nystagmus. Additionally, this MV can be used to quantify the effect of deterioration by aging on the vestibular system during walking. Could such MV be used to assess the uni/bilateral vestibular deterioration by aging during standing? OBJECTIVE: This study attempted to determine the feasibility of using MV for identifying the uni/bilateral vestibular deterioration by aging during standing. METHODS: Fifteen young and ten old adults’ balance control patterns were assessed by three random MV conditions: 1) No MV; 2) Unilateral MV; 3) Bilateral MV. The dependent variables were the 95% confidence ellipse areas and the sample entropy values, which were calculated based on the center of gravity displacement within each condition. RESULTS: Significant main effects of MV and aging were found on all outcome variables. A significant interaction between aging and different MV types was observed in the 95% confidence ellipse area (p = 0.002) and the length of the short axis (anterior-posterior direction, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the MV could be used to identify different vestibular dysfunctions, specifically in old adults.

BACKGROUND: Unapparent saccades in video head impulse test (vHIT) are usually present in Meniere’s disease (MD) patients but tend to be ignored by the clinician. The result of vHIT is constantly questioned in MD patients due to a lack of uniform metrics. A more effective indicator is needed for indicating MD’s pathological progress. OBJECTIVES: To get a comprehensive understanding of the nature and usability of saccades in different MD stages. METHODS: 118 patients diagnosed with unilateral MD were recruited in this study. Patient history, audiological examination, caloric test, vHIT were performed. We proposed ‘raw saccades’ to represent all showed wave peaks behind the head peak and named saccades by their appearance sequence: 1st saccade, 2nd saccade and 3rd saccade. An exploratory saccade analysis was executed to investigate the effectiveness of saccade attributes in identifying MD stages. RESULTS: MD patients have greater detectable 1st saccade than PR score as well as 2nd saccade. The time and velocity of the 1st saccade show high interaural variability (p = 0.028, p = 0.000 respectively). No statistical difference concerning the vHIT gain, PR score and 2nd saccade among stages could be recognized on both affected and contralateral sides. Multiple comparisons show the affected 1st saccade velocity and affected 1st saccade absolute velocity have stage-difference. At late stages (3&4), the affected 1st saccade is manifested as a speed increase, and this measure shows a relatively high correlation with MD stages compared to other vestibular indicators. CONCLUSION: The 1st saccade velocity on the affected side could indicate the MD disease process and severity.

Recently, functional homotopy (FH) architecture, defined as robust functional connectivity (FC) between homotopic regions, has been frequently reported to be altered in MDD patients (MDDs) but with divergent locations.In this study, we obtained resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (R-fMRI) data from 1004 MDDs (mean age, 33.88 years; age range, 18-60 years) and 898 matched healthy controls (HCs) from an aggregated dataset from 20 centers in China. We focused on interhemispheric function integration in MDDs and its correlation with clinical characteristics using voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) devised to inquire about FH patterns.As compared with HCs, MDDs showed decreased VMHC in visual, motor, somatosensory, limbic, angular gyrus, and cerebellum, particularly in posterior cingulate gyrus/precuneus (PCC/PCu) (false discovery rate [FDR] q 0.002, z = -7.07). Further analysis observed that the reduction in SMG and insula was more prominent with age, of which SMG reflected such age-related change in males instead of females. Besides, the reduction in MTG was found to be a male-special abnormal pattern in MDDs. VMHC alterations were markedly related to episode type and illness severity. The higher Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score, the more apparent VMHC reduction in the primary visual cortex. First-episode MDDs revealed stronger VMHC reduction in PCu relative to recurrent MDDs.We confirmed a significant VMHC reduction in MDDs in broad areas, especially in PCC/PCu. This reduction was affected by gender, age, episode type, and illness severity. These findings suggest that the depressive brain tends to disconnect information exchange across hemispheres.

BACKGROUND: Left frontal alpha oscillations are associated with decreased approach motivation and have been proposed as a target for non-invasive brain stimulation for the treatment of depression and anhedonia. Indeed, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at the alpha frequency reduced left frontal alpha power and was associated with a higher response rate than placebo stimulation in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) in a recent double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial. METHODS: In this current study, we aimed to replicate successful target engagement by delineating the effects of a single session of bifrontal tACS at the individualized alpha frequency (IAF-tACS) on alpha oscillations in patients with MDD. 84 participants were randomized to receive verum or sham IAF-tACS. Electrical brain activity was recorded during rest and while viewing emotionally-salient images before and after stimulation to investigate if the modulation of alpha oscillation by tACS exhibited specificity with regards to valence. RESULTS: In agreement with the previous study of tACS in MDD, we found that a single session of bifrontal IAF-tACS reduced left frontal alpha power during the resting state when compared to placebo. Furthermore, the reduction of left frontal alpha oscillation by tACS was specific for stimuli with positive valence. In contrast, these effects on left frontal alpha power were not found in healthy control participants. CONCLUSION: Together these results support an important role of tACS in reducing left frontal alpha oscillations as a future treatment for MDD. NATIONAL CLINICAL TRIAL: NCT03449979, “Single Session of tACS in a Depressive Episode (SSDE)” https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03449979