Early postnatal whisker deprivation cross-modally modulates prefrontal cortex myelination and leads to social novelty deficit.

Sensory experience affects not only the corresponding primary sensory cortex, but also synaptic and neural circuit functions in other brain regions in a cross-modal manner. However, it remains unclear whether oligodendrocyte (OL) generation and myelination can also undergo cross-modal modulation. Here, we report that while early life short-term whisker deprivation from birth significantly reduces in the number of mature of OLs and the degree of myelination in the primary somatosensory cortex(S1) at postnatal day 14 (P14), it also simultaneously affects the primary visual cortex (V1), but not the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) with a similar reduction. Interestingly, when mice were subjected to long-term early whisker deprivation from birth (P0) to P35, they exhibited dramatically impaired myelination and a deduced number of differentiated OLs in regions including the S1, V1, and mPFC, as detected at P60. Meanwhile, the process complexity of OL precursor cells (OPCs) was also rduced, as detected in the mPFC. However, when whisker deprivation occurred during the mid-late postnatal period (P35 to P50), myelination was unaffected in both V1 and mPFC brain regions at P60. In addition to impaired OL and myelin development in the mPFC, long-term early whisker-deprived mice also showed deficits in social novelty, accompanied by abnormal activation of c-Fos in the mPFC. Thus, our results reveal a novel form of cross-modal modulation of myelination by sensory experience that can lead to abnormalities in social behavioral, suggesting a possible similar mechanism underlying brain pathological conditions that suffer from both sensory and social behavioral deficits, such as autism spectrum disorders.

Early-life maturation of the somatosensory cortex: sensory experience and beyond.

Early life experiences shape physical and behavioral outcomes throughout lifetime. Sensory circuits are especially susceptible to environmental and physiological changes during development. However, the impact of different types of early life experience are often evaluated in isolation. In this mini review, we discuss the specific effects of postnatal sensory experience, sleep, social isolation, and substance exposure on barrel cortex development. Considering these concurrent factors will improve understanding of the etiology of atypical sensory perception in many neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.

The effectiveness of nurses' psychosocial interventions for sensory deprivation in intensive care patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of nurses' psychosocial interventions for addressing sensory deprivation in intensive care units (ICUs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, and YÖK Thesis Center databases was conducted from August 2023 to May 2024, without any temporal restrictions. In addition, a physical search was made in the university library for grey literature. RESULTS: The study revealed that nurses' psychosocial interventions significantly improved patients' level of consciousness (SMD = 1.042, %95 CI = 0.716 to 1.369; Z = 6.25; p < .05) and sleep quality in ICUs (SMD=1.21, 95% CI= 0.232 to 1.810; Z = 2.49; p < .05). The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions varied based on the type of intervention, patient age, ICU type, patient group, and intervention duration. Notably, auditory stimuli and aromatherapy demonstrated particularly high effect sizes, significantly enhancing patients' levels of consciousness and sleep quality. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, psychosocial interventions aimed at reducing sensory deprivation in intensive care units exert beneficial effects on individuals, notably enhancing their level of consciousness and improving sleep quality.

Sensorineural hearing loss and cognitive impairment: three hypotheses.

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a category of hearing loss that often leads to difficulty in understanding speech and other sounds. Auditory system dysfunction, including deafness and auditory trauma, results in cognitive deficits via neuroplasticity. Cognitive impairment (CI) refers to an abnormality in the brain's higher intellectual processes related to learning, memory, thinking and judgment that can lead to severe learning and memory deficits. Studies have established a strong correlation between SNHL and CI, but it remains unclear how SNHL contributes to CI. The purpose of this article is to describe three hypotheses regarding this relationship, the mainstream cognitive load hypothesis, the co-morbidity hypothesis, and the sensory deprivation hypothesis, as well as the latest research progress related to each hypothesis.

Ambient sound stimulation tunes axonal conduction velocity by regulating radial growth of myelin on an individual, axon-by-axon basis.

Adaptive myelination is the emerging concept of tuning axonal conduction velocity to the activity within specific neural circuits over time. Sound processing circuits exhibit structural and functional specifications to process signals with microsecond precision: a time scale that is amenable to adjustment in length and thickness of myelin. Increasing activity of auditory axons by introducing sound-evoked responses during postnatal development enhances myelin thickness, while sensory deprivation prevents such radial growth during development. When deprivation occurs during adulthood, myelin thickness was reduced. However, it is unclear whether sensory stimulation adjusts myelination in a global fashion (whole fiber bundles) or whether such adaptation occurs at the level of individual fibers. Using temporary monaural deprivation in mice provided an internal control for a) differentially tracing structural changes in active and deprived fibers and b) for monitoring neural activity in response to acoustic stimulation of the control and the deprived ear within the same animal. The data show that sound-evoked activity increased the number of myelin layers around individual active axons, even when located in mixed bundles of active and deprived fibers. Thicker myelination correlated with faster axonal conduction velocity and caused shorter auditory brainstem response wave VI-I delays, providing a physiologically relevant readout. The lack of global compensation emphasizes the importance of balanced sensory experience in both ears throughout the lifespan of an individual.

Direct reciprocity and reputation shape trust decisions similarly in blind and sighted individuals.

This study addresses the effects of blindness on trust. Using an auditory version of the multi-round Trust Game, we investigated the effect of reputation and reciprocity on trust decisions in early blind and sighted participants. During each round of the game, participants were endowed with a sum of money and had to decide how much they wanted to invest in their partners, who were manipulated as a function of their good or bad reputation and individualistic or cooperative behavior. The data showed that negative first impression about the partner (bad reputation and/or selfish behavior) impacted more blind participants than sighted ones. However, following repeated interactions with the partners, the overall mean investment aligned between the blind and sighted groups. We interpret these findings as suggesting that blindness may guide participants to a more cautionary behavior when dealing with partners with negative initial characteristics.

Deprivation-Induced Plasticity in the Early Central Circuits of the Rodent Visual, Auditory, and Olfactory Systems.

Activity-dependent neuronal plasticity is crucial for animals to adapt to dynamic sensory environments. Traditionally, it has been investigated using deprivation approaches in animal models primarily in sensory cortices. Nevertheless, emerging evidence emphasizes its significance in sensory organs and in subcortical regions where cranial nerves relay information to the brain. Additionally, critical questions started to arise. Do different sensory modalities share common cellular mechanisms for deprivation-induced plasticity at these central entry points? Does the deprivation duration correlate with specific plasticity mechanisms? This study systematically reviews and meta-analyzes research papers that investigated visual, auditory, or olfactory deprivation in rodents of both sexes. It examines the consequences of sensory deprivation in homologous regions at the first central synapse following cranial nerve transmission (vision - lateral geniculate nucleus and superior colliculus; audition - ventral and dorsal cochlear nucleus; olfaction - olfactory bulb). The systematic search yielded 91 papers (39 vision, 22 audition, 30 olfaction), revealing substantial heterogeneity in publication trends, experimental methods, measures of plasticity, and reporting across the sensory modalities. Despite these differences, commonalities emerged when correlating plasticity mechanisms with the duration of sensory deprivation. Short-term deprivation (up to 1 d) reduced activity and increased disinhibition, medium-term deprivation (1 d to a week) involved glial changes and synaptic remodeling, and long-term deprivation (over a week) primarily led to structural alterations. These findings underscore the importance of standardizing methodologies and reporting practices. Additionally, they highlight the value of cross-modal synthesis for understanding how the nervous system, including peripheral, precortical, and cortical areas, respond to and compensate for sensory inputs loss.

Adding Sound Transparency to a Spacesuit: Effect on Cognitive Performance in Females.

Spacesuits may block external sound. This induces sensory deprivation; a side effect is lower cognitive performance. This can increase the risk of an accident. This undesirable effect can be mitigated by designing suits with sound transparency. If the atmosphere is available, as on Mars, sound transparency can be realized by augmenting and processing external sounds. If no atmosphere is available, such as on the Moon, then an Earth-like sound can be re-created via generative AR techniques. We measure the effect of adding sound transparency in an Intra-Vehicular Activity suit by means of the Koh Block test. The results indicate that participants complete the test more quickly when wearing a suit with sound transparency.

Relação do processamento sensorial e sistema estomatognático de crianças respiradoras orais / Relation of sensory processing and stomatognical system of oral respiratory children

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar a relação entre o processamento sensorial e as alterações das funções do Sistema Estomatognático de crianças respiradoras orais, caracterizando o processamento sensorial destas e comparando-o com o de respiradoras nasais. Método Foram selecionadas 50 crianças (5 a 12 anos) que apresentaram diagnóstico de respiração oral e 50 sem sinais e sintomas de respiração oral ou rinite alérgica para fazer parte do grupo controle, pareadas por idade e sexo. As crianças respiradoras orais e nasais passaram por avaliação do processamento sensorial, através da Sensory Processing Measure - Home form, e as respiradoras orais por avaliação da motricidade orofacial através da Avaliação Miofuncional Orofacial com Escore. Os resultados foram apresentados em forma de tabela e com suas respectivas frequências absoluta e relativa. Resultados A maioria das crianças avaliadas foi do sexo masculino, estando com idade média de 8 anos. A maioria dos respiradores orais apresentou alteração no processamento de todos os sentidos, com relação estatisticamente significativa quando comparados com os respiradores nasais. Houve relação, nos respiradores orais, entre o processamento sensorial proprioceptivo e o movimento das bochechas, processamento sensorial visual e movimentação da cabeça durante a deglutição e entre o tipo de mastigação e o processamento sensorial tátil. Conclusão Após análise dos dados foi possível perceber que o processamento sensorial de todos os sistemas se apresenta com alteração nos respiradores orais e que esse mau processamento se relaciona a mobilidade orofacial, bem como com funções do Sistema Estomatognático, além do tipo de mastigação dessa população.

ABSTRACT Purpose To verify the relationship between sensory processing and changes in the functions of the stomatognathic system in mouth breathing children, characterizing their sensory processing and comparing it with that of nasal breathing children. Methods 50 children (5 to 12 years) who were diagnosed with mouth breathing and 50 without signs and symptoms of mouth breathing or allergic rhinitis were selected to be part of the control group, matched for age and sex. Oral and nasal breathing children underwent sensory processing evaluation, through the Sensory Processing Measure - home form, and mouth breathers, through the evaluation of orofacial motricity through the Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with score. The results were presented in table form and with their respective absolute and relative frequencies. Results Most of the children evaluated were male, with an average age of eight years. Most mouth breathers presented alteration in the processing of all senses, with a statistically significant relationship when compared to nasal breathers. There was a relationship, in mouth breathers, between proprioceptive sensory processing and the movement of the cheeks, visual sensory processing and head movement during swallowing, and between the type of chewing and tactile sensory processing. Conclusion After analyzing the data, it was possible to see that the sensory processing of all systems presents with changes in mouth breathers and that this poor processing is related to orofacial mobility, as well as functions of the stomatognathic system, in addition to the type of chewing of this population.

Ganho auditivo e influência do tempo de privação auditiva na percepção de fala em usuários de implante coclear / Hearing improvement and influence of hearing deprivation time on speech perception in cochlear implant users

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o ganho de percepção de fala na ausência e na presença de ruído competitivo; avaliar, após três meses de uso do implante coclear, se houve correlação entre a percepção de fala nas duas condições e correlacionar o tempo de privação auditiva e o lado implantado com a percepção de fala na ausência e na presença do ruído. Métodos Participaram deste ensaio clínico 12 indivíduos com perda auditiva de severa a profunda, submetidos à cirurgia de implante coclear. A percepção de fala foi avaliada através do teste Listas de Sentenças em Português, utilizando a direcionalidade Opti Omni, em situações de ausência e presença de ruído competitivo. Resultados A percepção de fala na ausência e na presença de ruído competitivo aumentou, em comparação com a percepção de fala pré-operatória com a utilização da direcionalidade Opti Omni e estes achados não tiveram associação com o tempo de privação auditiva ou o lado implantado. Conclusão Houve ganho na percepção de fala, tanto na ausência, como na presença do ruído competitivo, com forte correlação entre essas duas situações. Além disso, não houve associação entre tempo de privação auditiva sem o uso do aparelho de amplificação sonora individual ou o lado implantado com o desempenho na percepção de fala.

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate speech perception improvement in the absence and presence of competing noise; to evaluate, after three months using a cochlear implant, whether there was a correlation between speech perception in these two conditions, and to correlate the time of hearing deprivation and the implanted side with speech perception in the absence and presence of noise. Methods Twelve individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss who underwent cochlear implant surgery participated in this clinical trial. Speech perception was assessed using the Lists of Phrases in Portuguese test, using the Opti Omni directionality, in situations of absence and presence of competing noise. Results Speech perception with the use of Opti Omni directionality in the absence and presence of competing noise increased when compared with preoperative speech perception; these findings were not associated with hearing deprivation time or implanted side. Conclusion There was an improvement in speech perception both in the absence and presence of competing noise, with a strong correlation between these two situations. Besides, there was no association between time of hearing deprivation without the use of hearing aid, or the implanted side, with performance in speech perception.

Intermittent exotropia evaluation using the propedeutics proposed by Kushner: a 25-year study / Avaliação de exotropia intermitente usando propedêutica proposta por Kushner: estudo de 25 anos

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and surgical impacts of phenomena that could occur in intermittent exotropia. Methods: The medical records of intermittent exotropia cases from 1991 to 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent a series of measures, including a protocol to assess monocular occlusion based on the propedeutics proposed by Kushner. Results: Outdoor sensitivity was observed in 31% of patients with an undercorrection rate of 44% vs. 18% of cases with no outdoor sensitivity. After 1 h of monocular occlusion, 41% of all patients achieved an increase in deviation with an undercorrection rate of 40%, whereas 25% did not. Conclusion: The results show the importance of complete propedeutics, since there is a higher rate of late undercorrection in cases with outdoor sensitivity and increased deviation after occlusion.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os impactos clínico e cirúrgico dos fenômenos que podem ocorrer na exotropia intermitente. Métodos: Os prontuários de casos de exotropia intermitente de 1991 a 2014 foram revisados retrospectivamente. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a uma serie de medidas incluindo o protocolo com oclusão monocular com base na propedêutica proposta por Kushner. Resultados: Outdoor sensitivity foi observada em 31% dos pacientes com taxa de subcorreção de 44% vs. 18% dos casos sem outdoor sensitivity. Após 1 hora de oclusão monocular, 41% de todos os pacientes apresentaram um aumento no desvio com uma taxa de subcorreção 40%, enquanto 25% não. Conclusão: Os resultados demonstram a importância da propedêutica completa, uma vez que há maior taxa de subcorreção tardia nos casos de outdoor sensitivity e maior desvio após a oclusão.

Alterações sensoriais em indivíduos com HTLV-1: revisão sistemática / Sensorial changes in individuals with HTLV-1: systematic review

Introdução: A função sensorial é reconhecida como precursora da recuperação do movimento, sendo assim, os sintomas apresentados por pessoas com HTLV-1 podem trazer prejuízo na realização de atividades funcionais Objetivo: Sistematizar o conhecimento sobre alterações sensoriais em pacientes com HTLV-1. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática, com a busca primária dos artigos realizada nas bases de dados Medline, via biblioteca virtual Pubmed, sendo incluídos estudos observacionais que abordaram a alteração sensorial em indivíduos com HTLV-1. A estratégia de busca foi conduzida de forma independente por dois pesquisadores e as divergências resolvidas por consenso. Resultados: Foram encontrados 44 estudos na busca primária, e destes foram incluídos quatro estudos que abordaram a alteração sensorial em indivíduos com HTLV-1, com um total de 240 participantes. Todos os artigos foram classificados como baixo risco de viés no que diz respeito à descrição da questão do estudo, resultados e discussão. Conclusão: identificou-se uma alta prevalência de dor e alteração na sensibilidade vibratória em relação às outras disfunções sensoriais, no entanto, a escassez de trabalhos publicados acerca deste tema sugere que novas abordagens sejam feitas mostrando uma grande lacuna de conhecimento a ser explorada. [AU]

Background: Sensory function is recognized as a precursor of the movement recovery. Therefore, the symptoms presented by people with HTLV-1 can result in impairment in the performance of functional activities. Aim: To systematize knowledge about sensory alterations in patients with HTLV-1. Methods: This is a systematic review, with the primary search of the articles carried out in the Medline databases, via the Pubmed virtual library, including observational studies that addressed the sensory alteration in individuals with HTLV-1. The search strategy was conducted independently by two researchers and the divergences resolved by consensus. Results: A total of 44 studies were found in the primary search, including four studies addressing sensory impairment in individuals with HTLV-1, with a total of 240 participants. All articles were classified as low risk of bias regarding the description of the study question, results and discussion. Conclusion: We identified a high prevalence of pain and altered vibratory sensitivity in relation to other sensory disorders, however, shortage of published works on this topic suggests new approaches are made showing a large knowledge gap to be explored. [AU]

Auditory, visual and proprioceptive integration as a substrate of language development / Integración auditiva, visual y propioceptiva como sustrato del desarrollo del lenguaje

Abstract Introduction: Language development is a complex process that may be considered as an evolutionay trait in human beings; it is possible to undetstand said process by evaluating the contribution of sensory systems and the events that frame critical periods of development. Objective: To conduct a literature on how auditory, visual and proprioceptive information integration occurs in language development, as well as the role of social interaction in this process. Materals and methods: The MeSH terms "Language Development"; "Visual Perception"; "Hearing"; and "Proprioception" were used, limiting the main search to articles written in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The databases consulted were Medline and EMBASE. Results: Auditory information is the first sensory stimulus to consider because, during the first year of life, the infant recognizes and discriminates environmental signals that correspond to language, followed by a peak in its acquisition and, subsequently, by a stage of maximum linguistic discrimination. Visual information allows correlating language with images since it acts as the substrate for the designation and understanding of words, as well as for interpretation and imitation of the emotional component in gesticulation. Proprioceptive information provides feedback on motor performance patterns used in language production. Conclusion: This perspective offers new points of view for treating and managing deviations in language development.

Resumen Introducción. El desarrollo del lenguaje es un proceso complejo considerado como marcador evolutivo del ser humano y puede ser comprendido a partir de la contribución de los sistemas sensoriales y de los eventos que ocurren en periodos críticos del desarrollo. Objetivo. Realizar una revisión de cómo se da la integración de la información auditiva, visual y propioceptiva y cómo se refleja en el desarrollo del lenguaje, destacando el papel de la interacción social como contexto que favorece este proceso. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron los términos MeSH "Language Development"; "Visual Perception"; "Hearing"; y "Proprioception en las bases de datos MEDLINE y Embase, limitando la búsqueda principal a artículos escritos en inglés, español y portugués. Resultados. El punto de partida lo constituye la información auditiva, la cual, en el primer año de vida, permite la discriminación de los elementos del ambiente que corresponden al lenguaje; luego un pico en su adquisición y posteriormente una etapa de máxima discriminación lingüística. La información visual proporciona la correspondencia del lenguaje en imágenes, sustrato de nominación y comprensión de palabras, además de la interpretación e imitación del componente emocional en la gesticulación. La información propioceptiva ofrece la retroalimentación de los patrones de ejecución motora empleados en la producción del lenguaje. Conclusión. El estudio del desarrollo lenguaje desde la integración sensorial ofrece nuevas perspectivas para el abordaje e intervención de sus desviaciones.

Privação sensorial auditiva e sua relação com os potenciais evocados auditivos de longa latência / Auditory sensory deprivation and its relation with auditory evoked potentials of long latency / Privación sensorial auditiva y su relación con los potenciales evocados auditivos de larga latencia

Objetivo: verificar se o tempo de privação sensorial auditiva de até cinco anos em indivíduos com perda auditiva neurossensorial de grau leve ou moderado pode influenciar nas respostas dos Potenciais Evocados Auditivos de Longa Latência (PEALL). Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, transversal e quantitativo. Foram avaliados 14 sujeitos, com idade entre 52 e 76 anos, com perda auditiva neurossensorial de grau leve ou moderado simétrico, que estavam na fila de espera de um programa de concessão de próteses auditivas e possuíam entre dois e cinco anos de privação sensorial auditiva. Para apresentação do PEALL foram utilizados estímulos verbais e foram analisados os potenciais N1, P2 e P300. Resultados: A média de idade dos sujeitos foi de 63,5 anos e do tempo de privação auditiva foi de 3,3 anos. Houve diferença entre o número de sujeitos normais e alterados para N1, sendo maior o número de normais, já para P2 e P300 não houve diferença. Ao comparar o resultado normal e alterado nos potenciais com a idade e tempo de privação, não houve diferença significativa. Conclusão: O tempo de privação auditiva entre dois e cinco anos em indivíduos com perda auditiva neurossensorial de grau leve ou moderado, não influenciou nos resultados dos PEALL.

Objective: To verify whether auditory sensory deprivation time of up to five years, in individuals with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss may influence the Long-Latency Auditory Evoked Potential (LLAEP) responses. Methods: Prospective, cross-sectional, and quantitative study. Were assessed 14 subjects, aged 52 to 76 years, with symmetric mild or moderate sensorineural hearing loss, who were waiting for a hearing aid program and had between two and five years of auditory sensory deprivation. For the presentation of the LLAEP, verbal stimuli were used and the potentials N1, P2 and P300 were analyzed. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 63.5 years and the time of hearing deprivation was 3.3 years. There was a difference between the number of normal and altered subjects for N1, with a higher number of normal individuals, whereas for P2 and P300 there was no difference. When comparing the normal and altered outcome in the potentials with age and time of deprivation, there was no significant difference. Conclusion: The time of hearing deprivation between two and five years in individuals with mild or moderate sensorineural hearing loss did not influence the results of the LLAEP.

Objetivo: verificar si el tiempo de privación sensorial auditiva de hasta cinco años en individuos con pérdida auditiva neurosensorial de grado leve o moderado puede influir en las respuestas de los Potenciales Evocados Auditivos de Larga Latencia (PEALL). Métodos: estudio prospectivo, transversal y cuantitativo. Fueron evaluados 14 sujetos, con edad entre 52 y 76 años, con pérdida auditiva neurosensorial de grado leve o moderado simétrico, que estaban en línea de espera de un programa de concesión de prótesis auditivas y tenian entre dos y cinco años de privación sensorial auditiva. Para la presentación del PEALL fueron utilizados estímulos verbales y fueron analizados los potenciales N1, P2 y P300. Resultados: el promedio de edad de los sujetos fue de 63,5 años y del tiempo de privación auditiva fue de 3,3 años. Hubo diferencia entre el número de sujetos normales y alterados para N1, el mayor número siendo normales, ya para P2 y P300 no hubo diferencia. Al compararse el resultado normal y alterado en los potenciales con la edad y tiempo de privación, no hubo diferencia significativa. Conclusión: el tiempo de privación auditiva entre dos y cinco años en individuos con pérdida auditiva neurosensorial de grado lele o moderado, no influyó en los resultados de los PEALL.

Deficiência visual x habilidades auditivas: desempenho das habilidades do processamento auditivo central em deficientes visuais / Visual impairment x hearing abilities: performance of the central auditory processing abilities in the visually impaired / Deficiencia visual x habilidades auditivas: rendimiento de las habilidades del procesamiento auditivo central en deficientes visuales

Introdução: Na ausência da visão, o cérebro humano necessita compensar tal deficiência sensorial se ajustando para que outros sentidos venham a equilibrar percepções externas. Objetivo: Comparar o desempenho das habilidades do processamento auditivo central entre um grupo de deficientes visuais e um grupo com visão normal. Métodos: Os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos, sendo o grupo estudo (GE), composto por 13 deficientes visuais, que posteriormente foi subdividido de acordo com o grau e tipo da deficiência; e grupo controle (GC), formado pelo mesmo número de participantes, com visão normal. Ambos os grupos foram submetidos a um questionário sobre seu histórico auditivo, meatoscopia, avaliação auditiva básica, composta por audiometria tonal e vocal e imitanciometria, sendo que os participantes com integridade e acuidade auditiva adequada passaram à realização dos testes para avaliação do processamento auditivo central (SSW, MLD, TDCV, PPS e RGDT). Resultados: Observou-se que, no geral, o GE obteve melhor resultado apenas na orelha esquerda em condição competitiva, no teste SSW. No MLD, houve diferença estatisticamente significante com média geral superior no GE. No TDCV, em atenção livre, a ocorrência de acertos geral foi maior no GC, enquanto que, em escuta direcionada, o GE obteve média geral superior na atenção direita e o GC na atenção esquerda. Nos testes PPS e RGDT, observou-se que o GE mostrou desempenho geral superior. Conclusão: Através dos testes de processamento auditivo central, foi possível comprovar que o GE obteve desempenho mais eficiente nas habilidades auditivas avaliadas.

Introduction: In the absence of vision, the human brain needs to compensate this sensorial disability making adjustments so other senses equilibrate external perceptions. Objective: Compare the performance of the central auditory processing abilities between a group of visually impaired and a group with normal vision. Methods: Participants were divided in: study group (SG), composed by 13 visually impaired, that afterwards were subdivided accordingly with degree and type of the deficiency; and control group (CG), formed by the same number of participants with normal vision. Both were submitted to a questionnaire about their hearing history, meatoscopy, basic hearing assessment, composed by tonal and vocal audiometry, and impedance, being that participants with adequate auditory integrity and acuity passed to the execution of the tests for the central auditory processing assessment (SSW, MLD, DLCVS, PPS, RGDT). Results: It was observed that, in general, the SG obtained better result only in the left ear in competitive condition, in SSW test. In the MLD, there was statistical significant difference with higher overall average in the SG. In the DLCVS, in free attention, the occurrence of the general correct answers was higher in the CG, whereas, in directed attention, SG obtained higher overall average in the right attention and CG in the left attention. In the PPS and RGDT tests, it was observed that SG showed higher overall performance. Conclusion: Throughout the central auditory processing tests, it was possible to prove that the SG obtained more efficient performance in the auditory abilities assessed.

Introducción: En la ausencia de la visión, el cerebro humano necesita compensar tal deficiencia, haciendo ajustes para que otros sentidos vengan a equilibrar las percepciones externas. Objetivo: Comparar el rendimiento de las habilidades del procesamiento auditivo central entre un grupo de deficientes visuales y un grupo con visión normal. Métodos: Los participantes fueron divididos en dos grupos: grupo estudio (GE), compuesto por 13 deficientes visuales, siendo subdividido de acuerdo con el grado y tipo de la deficiencia; y grupo control (GC), formado por el mismo número de participantes con visión normal. Los grupos fueron sometidos a un cuestionario sobre su histórico auditivo, otoscopia, evaluación auditiva básica, compuesta por audiometría tonal y vocal e imitanciometría. Los participantes con integridad y acuidad auditiva normales pasaron a realización de las pruebas para evaluación del procesamiento auditivo central (SSW, MLD, TDCV, PPS y RGDT). Resultados: El GE obtuvo mejor resultado sólo en la oreja izquierda, en condición competitiva, en la prueba SSW. En el MLD hubo diferencia estadísticamente significante con media general superior en el GE. En el TDCV, con atención libre, la ocurrencia general de aciertos fue mayor para el GC, mientras que, en la escucha direccionada, el GE obtuvo media general superior en la atención derecha y el GC en atención izquierda. En las pruebas PPS y RGDT, se observo que el GE mostró resultado general superior. Conclusión: A través de las pruebas del procesamiento auditivo central, se comprobó que el GE obtuvo rendimiento más eficiente en las habilidades auditivas evaluadas.

Privação e plasticidade sensorial auditiva em idosos: potenciais corticais e questionários de autoavaliação / Auditory plasticity and deprivation in the elderly: cortical potentials and outcome measurements

Objetivo: Determinar os efeitos da privação sensorial auditiva e o uso de amplificação em adultos e idosos com perda auditiva sensorioneural. Métodos: Os sujeitos foram avaliados pelo registrodos Potenciais Evocados Auditivos de Longa Latência logo após odiagnóstico da perda auditiva e após um mês de uso dos aparelhos auditivos, considerando o período de aclimatização. Participaram 20 indivíduos, novos usuários de aparelhos auditivos com idades entre 28 e 88 anos, com perdas auditivas de grau moderado a severo. Resultados: Foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os valores dos componentes N2 e P3 nos registros realizados antes e depois do uso da amplificação para cada orelha em todos os sujeitos. Não foram encontradas relações estatisticamente significantes entre N2 e P3 e as variáveis idade, duração da privação auditiva e o tempo de uso dos aparelhos auditivos. Conclusão: Os efeitos da privação auditiva e do uso da amplificação puderam ser observados pelas mudanças nos valores de latência dos Potenciais Evocados Auditivos de Longa Latência nos componentes N2 e P3. O uso da amplificação como estimulação efetiva pode prevenir ou minimizar a privação auditiva em adultos e idosos deficientes auditivos e pode ser considerado essencial para a plasticidade do Sistema Nervoso Auditivo Central. (AU)

Objective: Determine the effects of sensory deprivation and use of amplification in adults and elderly individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. Design: The subjects underwent measurements of long latency auditory evoked potentials, soon after the diagnosis of hearing loss and once again after the use of amplification, considering the acclimatization period. Study sample: Participated in the study, 20 individuals, new hearing aid users. Their ages ranged from 28 to 88 years, with varying degrees of hearing loss, from mild to severe. Results: There was a significant difference between N2 and P3 latencies before and after the use of amplification for each ear. There was no statistically significant relationship between the N2 and P3 latencies and the variables age, duration of auditory deprivation and time of use of hearing aids. Conclusion: The effects of deprivation and use of stimulation can be observed through changes in latencies of N2 and P3 components of auditory evoked potentials latencies, in all subjects. The use of amplification as an effective stimulation may prevent or minimize sensory deprivation in hearing impaired adults and can be considered essential for the plasticity of the central auditory nervous system. (AU)

Postural balance in Alzheimer's disease patients undergoing sensory pitfalls

Despite consensus regarding the interference of cognitive processes on the human balance, the impact that different sensory stimuli have on the stabilometric measures remains unclear. Here, we investigated changes in the postural balance of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in healthy controls undergoing different proprioceptive and somesthetic pitfalls. We included 17 subjects submitted to eight sensorimotor dynamics with differences in the support bases, contact surfaces, and visual clues. The measurements used to assess participants balance were as follows: position of the body in space, range of instability, area of the support base, and velocity of postural control. From a total of 56 cross-sectional analyses, 21.42% pointed out differences between groups. Longitudinal analyses showed that tasks with proprioceptive and somesthetic pitfalls similarly impact imbalance in both groups. The current results suggest that AD subjects and healthy controls had different patterns submitted to balance, but suffered similar interference when undergoing proprioceptive and somesthetic challenges

Evaluation of postural balance in mild cognitive impairment through a three-dimensional electromagnetic system / Avaliação do equilíbrio corporal no comprometimento cognitivo leve através de sistema eletromagnético tridimensional

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Elderly people with cognitive impairment are at greater risk for falls; thus, an understanding of the earliest stages of cognitive decline is necessary. OBJECTIVE: To compare postural balance between elderly people with and without mild cognitive impairment using a three-dimensional system. METHODS: Thirty elderly people with mild cognitive impairment and thirty healthy elderly subjects were selected. Static posturography was performed using three-dimensional electromagnetic equipment and the following parameters were evaluated: maximum displacement, mean speed and total trajectory. Open- and closed-eye stabilometric variable comparisons between groups and within each group were carried out, and a relationship between the Mini Mental State Examination and the total trajectory of all elderly subjects was determined. RESULTS: The analysis among open- and closed-eye conditions showed a significant difference in maximum anteroposterior displacement in the control group and a significant difference in all stabilometric variables in the mild cognitive impairment group. A significant difference between the groups in all variables in the closed-eye condition was observed. There was a strong correlation between cognitive performance and total trajectory. CONCLUSION: Evaluations showed decrease in balance in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment. Presence of anteroposterior displacement can be an early sign of postural control impairment, and the evaluation with visual restriction can be useful in detecting small postural instabilities.

Resumo Introdução: Idosos com alteração cognitiva apresentam maior risco de quedas; assim, é importante compreender as primeiras fases do declínio cognitivo. Objetivo: Comparar o equilíbrio corporal entre idosos com e sem comprometimento cognitivo leve através de um sistema tridimensional. Método: Trinta idosos com comprometimento cognitivo leve e 30 idosos saudáveis foram selecionados. A posturografia estática foi realizada utilizando equipamento eletromagnético tridimensional, e foram avaliados os parâmetros deslocamento máximo, velocidade média e trajetória total. Foi realizada comparação das variáveis estabilométricas com olho aberto e olho fechado intragrupo e intergrupos, e foi estabelecida a relação entre o Mini Exame do Estado Mental e a trajetória total de todos os idosos. Resultados: A análise entre olho aberto e olho fechado no grupo de controle evidenciou uma diferença significativa no deslocamento anteroposterior máximo; no grupo com comprometimento cognitivo leve, houve diferença significativa em todas as variáveis estabilométricas. Foi observada diferença significativa entre os grupos em todas as variáveis na condição de olho fechado. Houve forte correlação entre desempenho cognitivo e trajetória total. Conclusão: As avaliações evidenciaram diminuição do equilíbrio nos idosos com comprometimento cognitivo leve. O deslocamento anteroposterior pode ser um sinal precoce de comprometimento do controle postural, e a avaliação com restrição visual pode ser útil na detecção de pequenas instabilidades posturais.

Um estudo piloto na avaliação das estratégias posturais em jovens e idosos usando um sistema eletromagnético tridimensional / A pilot study on the evaluation of postural strategies in young and elderly subjects using a tridimensional electromagnetic system

Para manter o equilíbrio postural, algumas estratégias posturais são normalmente usadas. OBJETIVO: Avaliar as estratégias posturais de jovens e idosos em diferentes condições sensoriais usando um sistema de sensores eletromagnéticos tridimensionais posicionados na primeira vértebra torácica e região sacral. Também reportamos valores de oscilação postural dos jovens e idosos. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal observacional. Participaram do estudo 25 jovens e 16 idosas. O equipamento PolhemusTM com dois sensores foi usado para avaliar os parâmetros de oscilação postural (deslocamento máximo, velocidade média e trajetória). A aquisição dos dados foi realizada com os sujeitos em pé, realizando um teste de 90 segundos para as quatro condições sensoriais: olhos abertos e fechados nas superfícies estável e instável. RESULTADOS: Os sensores 1 e 2 apresentaram alta correlação cruzada em todas as condições sensoriais para ambos os grupos (r > 0.99; p < 0.001). Comparando a correlação cruzada entre os grupos, não foram observadas diferenças significativas. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo apresentou uma importante ferramenta na análise de oscilação postural e na avaliação das estratégias posturais de jovens e idosos em diferentes condições sensoriais. Os jovens e idosos apresentaram uma forte correlação entre os sensores (estratégia do tornozelo), porém, não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos.

One resorts to various postural strategies while attempting to maintain balance. OBJECTIVE: To assess the postural strategies adopted by young and elderly subjects in varying sensory conditions by using a system of tridimensional electromagnetic sensors positioned on the projection of the first thoracic vertebra and on the sacral region. Postural oscillation values for young and elderly subjects were also reported. METHOD: This observational cross-sectional study enrolled 25 young and 16 elderly individuals. A PolhemusTM device equipped with two sensors was used to assess postural oscillation parameters (maximum displacement, mean velocity, and trajectory). Data acquisition was carried out with subjects standing while undergoing a 90-second test in four sensory conditions: eyes opened, eyes closed, on a stable surface, and on an unstable surface. RESULTS: Sensors 1 and 2 presented significant cross-correlations in all sensory conditions for both groups (r > 0.99; p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were seen when the cross-correlations for both groups were compared. CONCLUSION: This study presented an important tool to analyze postural oscillation and assess the postural strategies of young and elderly subjects in different sensory conditions. Young and elderly individuals presented strong correlations between sensors (ankle strategy), but no statistically significant differences were seen between groups.

Adaptação de prótese auditiva e a privação da audição unilateral: avaliação comportamental e eletrofisiológica / Hearing aid fitting and unilateral auditory deprivation: behavioral and electrophysiologic assessment

O fenômeno da Privação Auditiva Unilateral de Início Tardio foi reportado em 1984. No entanto, ainda se observa um expressivo número de adaptações de próteses auditivas unilaterais, nos casos de perdas auditivas bilaterais, justificadas por fatores não auditivos, tais como custo, vaidade, desinformação ou políticas públicas de saúde. OBJETIVO: Investigar, por meio de avaliação comportamental e eletrofisiológica, o desempenho auditivo de adultos que fazem uso de amplificação unilateral, comparados àqueles expostos à estimulação auditiva simétrica bilateral. MÉTODO: Participaram deste estudo 35 indivíduos adultos com perda auditiva sensorioneural bilateral simétrica, usuários regulares de prótese auditiva unilateral, bilateral e não usuários de prótese auditiva por meio de testes de avaliação comportamental e eletrofisiológica. RESULTADOS: A análise de variância revelou que, no grupo usuário de amplificação unilateral, a latência do P300 foi significantemente maior na orelha que sofreu a privação auditiva comparada a orelha com prótese auditiva (p < 0,05). Também foi encontrado desempenho significantemente pior deste grupo no reconhecimento de sentenças no ruído (LSP) realizado em campo livre. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados reforçam os achados da literatura de que a privação auditiva unilateral pode levar a mudanças fisiológicas e perceptuais.

The phenomenon of Late-Onset Unilateral Auditory Deprivation was first reported in 1984. However, a high number of unilateral hearing aid fittings are still carried out in cases of bilateral hearing loss, justified by non-auditory factors such as cost, vanity, misinformation and public health policies. OBJECTIVE: To carry out behavioral and electrophysiological assessment of the auditory performance of adults using unilateral amplification compared with individuals exposed to bilateral symmetric auditory stimulation. METHOD: Thirty five adults, all with symmetric bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, regular users of unilateral hearing aid, bilateral hearing aids and not users of hearing aids, were assessed on behavioral and electrophysiological tests. RESULTS: Variance analysis revealed that in the unilaterally fitted group, P300 latency was significantly greater in ears with auditory deprivation compared with those fitted with the hearing aid (p < 0.05). This same group also had poorer performance on the Sentence Recognition Test in Noise held in free field. CONCLUSION: These results corroborate findings in the literature showing that unilateral auditory deprivation can lead to physiological and perceptual changes.