Auditory Neural Responses and Communicative Functioning in Children With Microcephaly Related to Congenital Zika Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Children with microcephaly exhibit neurodevelopmental delays and compromised communicative functioning, yielding challenges for clinical assessment and informed intervention. This study characterized auditory neural function and communication abilities in children with microcephaly due to congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). DESIGN: Click-evoked auditory brainstem responses (ABR) at fast and slow stimulation rates and natural speech-evoked cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEP) were recorded in 25 Brazilian children with microcephaly related to CZS (M age: 5.93 ± 0.62 years) and a comparison group of 25 healthy children (M age: 5.59 ± 0.80 years) matched on age, sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Communication abilities in daily life were evaluated using caregiver reports on Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-3. RESULTS: Caregivers of children with microcephaly reported significantly lower than typical adaptive functioning in the communication and socialization domains. ABR wave I latency did not differ significantly between the groups, suggesting comparable peripheral auditory function. ABR wave V absolute latency and waves I-V interwave latency were significantly shorter in the microcephaly group for both ears and rates. CAEP analyses identified reduced N2 amplitudes in children with microcephaly as well as limited evidence of speech sound differentiation, evidenced mainly by the N2 response latency. Conversely, in the comparison group, speech sound differences were observed for both the P1 and N2 latencies. Exploratory analyses in the microcephaly group indicated that more adaptive communication was associated with greater speech sound differences in the P1 and N2 amplitudes. The trimester of virus exposure did not have an effect on the ABRs or CAEPs. CONCLUSIONS: Microcephaly related to CZS is associated with alterations in subcortical and cortical auditory neural function. Reduced ABR latencies differ from previous reports, possibly due to the older age of this cohort and careful assessment of peripheral auditory function. Cortical speech sound detection and differentiation are present but reduced in children with microcephaly. Associations between communication performance in daily life and CAEPs highlight the value of auditory evoked potentials in assessing clinical populations with significant neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Study of aged central auditory function using the auditory middle latency response.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate the auditory function of the elderly using the middle latency potentials. METHODOLOGY: Group 1 (G1): 20 healthy individuals of both genders, older than 60 years, without hearing loss. Group 2 (G2): 20 healthy individuals of both sexes, older than 60 years, with hearing loss in frequencies from 4 to 8 kHz. Potential recording was performed with unilateral and bilateral stimulation and the Binaural Interaction Component was calculated. RESULTS: Na latency in C3A1 was greater in the stimulation of the right ear in G2 and the amplitude of Na-Pa was greater in the stimulation of the right ear and recording in C3A1 in G1. The latency of the Pa component was higher in the stimulation of the right ear recorded in C4A2. The Pb component in G2 by bilateral stimulation and recorded in C4A2 had higher latency. The first and second negative and positive peaks presented greater amplitude in G1. In C3A1, the 1st negative peak was more negative in G1 and the 2nd positive peak showed greater amplitude in C4A2 in both groups. CONCLUSION: The transmission of auditory information to the primary auditory cortex is impaired with aging, especially in unilateral stimulation, reinforced by losses in elderly people with peripheral hearing loss, such as in the binaural interaction at the cortical and subcortical levels. Thus, the AMLR has shown to be a sensitive examination to investigate neuroauditory disorders in the elderly, especially related to high-frequency hearing loss and primary auditory cortex dysfunctions caused by the aging process.

The Effect of Different Stimulation Rates on Brainstem Auditory-Evoked-Potential Responses

Abstract Introduction Auditory-evoked potentials are influenced by several factors, including polarity, filter, stimulus intensity and stimulation rate. The presentation of higher rates of stimuli per second enables the collection of a greater number of responses in a given period of time, promoting a shorter testing time; however, the collected recordings are subject to changes related to wave morphology. Objectives To compare the brainstem auditory-evoked-potential responses with click stimulus with the most commonly used stimulation rates in the clinical practice. Methods The present cross-sectional analytical study was performed with fifteen participants of both genders and normal hearing thresholds. The brainstem auditoryevoked potential was performed at four different stimulation rates (21.1, 26.7, and 27.7 stimuli/s, and a rate determined based on a mathematical calculation using the a measurement of the transmission frequency of the power grid at the time of the examination). Results We observed that the rate of 21.1 stimuli/s showed the highest amplitudes for waves I, III, and V when compared with the other rates. The rate of 26.7 stimuli/s, when compared with 27.7 stimuli/s, showed a higher amplitude for wave V. The latency if wave V was significantly lower with the rate of 21.1 stimuli/s than with 27.7 stimuli/s. Conclusions The stimulation rate interferes with wave latencies and amplitudes; its decrease from 27.7 to 21.1 stimuli/s decreases the latency of wave V and increases the amplitues and improves the morphology of waves I, III and V. In addition, we found evidence that suggests an improvement in the visualization of wave III by adjusting the stimulation rate based on a measurement of the local transmission frequency of the power grid.

The Effect of Different Stimulation Rates on Brainstem Auditory-Evoked-Potential Responses.

Introduction Auditory-evoked potentials are influenced by several factors, including polarity, filter, stimulus intensity and stimulation rate. The presentation of higher rates of stimuli per second enables the collection of a greater number of responses in a given period of time, promoting a shorter testing time; however, the collected recordings are subject to changes related to wave morphology. Objectives To compare the brainstem auditory-evoked-potential responses with click stimulus with the most commonly used stimulation rates in the clinical practice. Methods The present cross-sectional analytical study was performed with fifteen participants of both genders and normal hearing thresholds. The brainstem auditory-evoked potential was performed at four different stimulation rates (21.1, 26.7, and 27.7 stimuli/s, and a rate determined based on a mathematical calculation using the a measurement of the transmission frequency of the power grid at the time of the examination). Results We observed that the rate of 21.1 stimuli/s showed the highest amplitudes for waves I, III, and V when compared with the other rates. The rate of 26.7 stimuli/s, when compared with 27.7 stimuli/s, showed a higher amplitude for wave V. The latency if wave V was significantly lower with the rate of 21.1 stimuli/s than with 27.7 stimuli/s. Conclusions The stimulation rate interferes with wave latencies and amplitudes; its decrease from 27.7 to 21.1 stimuli/s decreases the latency of wave V and increases the amplitues and improves the morphology of waves I, III and V. In addition, we found evidence that suggests an improvement in the visualization of wave III by adjusting the stimulation rate based on a measurement of the local transmission frequency of the power grid.

Study of aged central auditory function using the auditory middle latency response

Abstract Objective Investigate the auditory function of the elderly using the middle latency potentials. Methodology Group 1 (G1): 20 healthy individuals of both genders, older than 60 years, without hearing loss. Group 2 (G2): 20 healthy individuals of both sexes, older than 60 years, with hearing loss in frequencies from 4 to 8 kHz. Potential recording was performed with unilateral and bilateral stimulation and the Binaural Interaction Component was calculated. Results Na latency in C3A1 was greater in the stimulation of the right ear in G2 and the amplitude of Na-Pa was greater in the stimulation of the right ear and recording in C3A1 in G1. The latency of the Pa component was higher in the stimulation of the right ear recorded in C4A2. The Pb component in G2 by bilateral stimulation and recorded in C4A2 had higher latency. The first and second negative and positive peaks presented greater amplitude in G1. In C3A1, the 1st negative peak was more negative in G1 and the 2nd positive peak showed greater amplitude in C4A2 in both groups. Conclusion The transmission of auditory information to the primary auditory cortex is impaired with aging, especially in unilateral stimulation, reinforced by losses in elderly people with peripheral hearing loss, such as in the binaural interaction at the cortical and subcortical levels. Thus, the AMLR has shown to be a sensitive examination to investigate neuroauditory disorders in the elderly, especially related to high-frequency hearing loss and primary auditory cortex dysfunctions caused by the aging process.

O benefício do mascaramento modulado nos potenciais evocados auditivos corticais com estímulo de fala / Masking release in cortical auditory evoked potentials with speech stimulus

RESUMO Objetivo analisar o efeito do mascaramento estável e modulado no Potencial Evocado Auditivo Cortical com estímulo de fala em adultos-jovens. Método participaram 14 indivíduos com idades entre 19 e 28 anos de ambos os sexos e sem perda auditiva. O exame de Potencial Evocado Auditivo Cortical foi realizado com estímulo de fala sintética /ba/ simultâneo ao ruído Speech Shaped Noise apresentado em três condições: ruído estável com intensidade de 30 dB NPSpe (ruído estável fraco), ruído estável com intensidade de 65 dB NPSpe (ruído estável forte) e ruído modulado em intensidade de 30 dB NPSpe e 65 dB NPSpe em 25Hz e com período de modulação de 40 ms. Resultados foram observadas maiores latências nos componentes corticais, exceto P2, na condição de ruído estável forte e medidas mais robustas de amplitude dos componentes corticais P1, N1 e P2 na condição de ruído modulado com diferença estatística significativa na comparação com a condição de ruído estável forte. Houve pior morfologia na condição de ruído estável forte, quando comparado aos demais registros. Os limiares eletrofisiológicos médios para as condições de ruído estável forte e ruído modulado foram 60 dB NPSpe e 49 dB NPSpe, respectivamente, mostrando 11,7 dB de diferença média. Conclusão podemos inferir que houve um menor efeito mascarante do ruído modulado, comparado à condição de ruído estável forte, nas medidas de amplitude dos componentes corticais e uma diferença média de 11,7 dB entre os limiares eletrofisiológicos (interpretado como a medida do Benefício do Mascaramento Modulado).

ABSTRACT Purpose To analyze the effect of masking on the Cortical Auditory Evoked Potential with speech stimulus in young adults. Methods Fourteen individuals aged between 19 and 28 years of both sexes with no hearing loss participated in the study. The Cortical Auditory Evoked Potential examination was performed with synthetic speech stimulus /ba/ simultaneous to Speech Shaped Noise presented under three conditions: steady noise with a 30 dB SPLep intensity (weak steady noise), steady noise with a 65 dB SPLep intensity o (strong steady noise) and modulated noise with 30 dB SPLep and 65 dB SPLep intensities at 25Hz and modulation period of 40 ms. Results Higher latencies were observed in the cortical components, except P2, in the condition of strong steady noise and more meaningful measures of amplitude of the cortical components P1, N1 and P2 in the condition of modulated noise with statistically significant difference in comparison to the strong steady noise condition. There was worse wave morphology in the condition of strong steady noise, when compared to the other records. The average electrophysiological thresholds for the conditions of strong steady noise and modulated noise were 60 dB SPLep and 49 dB SPLep, respectively, showing a 11.7 dB mean difference. Conclusion We could infer that there was a lower masking effect of modulated noise when compared to the strong steady noise condition, in the amplitude measurements of the cortical components and an average difference of 11.7 dB between the electrophysiological thresholds (interpreted as the measure of the Masking Release).

Masking release in cortical auditory evoked potentials with speech stimulus. / O benefício do mascaramento modulado nos potenciais evocados auditivos corticais com estímulo de fala.

PURPOSE: To analyze the effect of masking on the Cortical Auditory Evoked Potential with speech stimulus in young adults. METHODS: Fourteen individuals aged between 19 and 28 years of both sexes with no hearing loss participated in the study. The Cortical Auditory Evoked Potential examination was performed with synthetic speech stimulus /ba/ simultaneous to Speech Shaped Noise presented under three conditions: steady noise with a 30 dB SPLep intensity (weak steady noise), steady noise with a 65 dB SPLep intensity o (strong steady noise) and modulated noise with 30 dB SPLep and 65 dB SPLep intensities at 25Hz and modulation period of 40 ms. RESULTS: Higher latencies were observed in the cortical components, except P2, in the condition of strong steady noise and more meaningful measures of amplitude of the cortical components P1, N1 and P2 in the condition of modulated noise with statistically significant difference in comparison to the strong steady noise condition. There was worse wave morphology in the condition of strong steady noise, when compared to the other records. The average electrophysiological thresholds for the conditions of strong steady noise and modulated noise were 60 dB SPLep and 49 dB SPLep, respectively, showing a 11.7 dB mean difference. CONCLUSION: We could infer that there was a lower masking effect of modulated noise when compared to the strong steady noise condition, in the amplitude measurements of the cortical components and an average difference of 11.7 dB between the electrophysiological thresholds (interpreted as the measure of the Masking Release).

OBJETIVO: analisar o efeito do mascaramento estável e modulado no Potencial Evocado Auditivo Cortical com estímulo de fala em adultos-jovens. MÉTODO: participaram 14 indivíduos com idades entre 19 e 28 anos de ambos os sexos e sem perda auditiva. O exame de Potencial Evocado Auditivo Cortical foi realizado com estímulo de fala sintética /ba/ simultâneo ao ruído Speech Shaped Noise apresentado em três condições: ruído estável com intensidade de 30 dB NPSpe (ruído estável fraco), ruído estável com intensidade de 65 dB NPSpe (ruído estável forte) e ruído modulado em intensidade de 30 dB NPSpe e 65 dB NPSpe em 25Hz e com período de modulação de 40 ms. RESULTADOS: foram observadas maiores latências nos componentes corticais, exceto P2, na condição de ruído estável forte e medidas mais robustas de amplitude dos componentes corticais P1, N1 e P2 na condição de ruído modulado com diferença estatística significativa na comparação com a condição de ruído estável forte. Houve pior morfologia na condição de ruído estável forte, quando comparado aos demais registros. Os limiares eletrofisiológicos médios para as condições de ruído estável forte e ruído modulado foram 60 dB NPSpe e 49 dB NPSpe, respectivamente, mostrando 11,7 dB de diferença média. CONCLUSÃO: podemos inferir que houve um menor efeito mascarante do ruído modulado, comparado à condição de ruído estável forte, nas medidas de amplitude dos componentes corticais e uma diferença média de 11,7 dB entre os limiares eletrofisiológicos (interpretado como a medida do Benefício do Mascaramento Modulado).

Changes in cortical auditory evoked potentials in response to auditory training in elderly hearing aid users: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cortical auditory evoked potential responses pre-and post-Auditory Musical Training associated with hearing aid adaptation in elderly people with presbycusis. DESIGN: This is a pilot, prospective, randomized, single-blind study. STUDY SAMPLE: Eight presbiacusis elderly people between 65 and 80 years, new hearing aid users, divided into two groups participated in the study: Hearing Aid Group: use of hearing aid; and Auditory Training Group: use of hearing aid in addition to musical auditory training for 16 sessions. All participants were submitted to cortical auditory evoked potential tests with verbal stimulation in two different moments: Initial assessment, carried out before hearing aid adaptation and auditory training, and after three months, final assessment at the end of the auditory training sessions. All participants were adapted bilaterally with digital mini hearing aids. RESULTS: There was a decrease in the P3a latency component for the Auditory Training Group when initial and final assessment were compared. CONCLUSION: There was a change in the cortical auditory evoked potential in elderly people with presbycusis in response to the Musical Auditory Training associated with the use of hearing aids in elderly people with presbycusis.

Cortical auditory evoked potentials using the speech stimulus /ma/

ABSTRACT Purpose: to compare cortical auditory evoked responses using two speech stimuli, /ma/ and /da/, in normally hearing young adults. Methods: a cross-sectional, observational and analytical study, with a sample composed of nineteen normally hearing young adults, recruited by convenience, ages between 18 and 25 years old, from both genders, participated in the study. Cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEP) were monaurally recorded in two conditions: 1) with a pair of speech stimuli /ba/ and /da/, and 2), with a pair of speech stimuli /ba/ and /ma/. The order of the experiments was randomized in a proportion of 50% for each of the two stimuli, totaling 100 stimuli for each experiment. Speech sounds were presented at 70 dB SPL. Descriptive and analytical statistical tests were performed. Results: mean latency values of the complex P1, N1, P2, N2 and P3 were lower for the /ma/ when compared to those of /da/ (p <0,05). There was no difference in amplitude values between responses evoked using /ma/ and /da/. Conclusion: cortical auditory evoked potentials, elicited by the speech stimulus /ma/ had, on average, lower latency peaks of P1-N1-P2-N2 and P3, when compared to those of speech stimulus /da/.

Síndrome da pele escaldada estafilocócica: relato de caso / Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome: case report

A síndrome da pele escaldada estafilocócica é um distúrbio bolhoso induzido por toxinas esfoliativas associado à infecção por Staphylococcus aureus, cujo exato mecanismo ainda é incerto manifestando-se com a formação de lesões bolhosas difusas pelo corpo que, usualmente, afeta crianças menores de 5 anos. O caso relatado apresenta uma criança de 4 meses de idade que manifestou lesões na pele de início recente, com hiperemia e bolhas no tronco, membros superiores e face, as quais evoluíram com descamação, além de edema peripalpebral, secreção ocular bilateral e crostas em região perioral. O prognóstico é favorável e o tratamento consiste em antibioticoterapia sistêmica ou oral, além de terapia de suporte na vigência de alterações hidroeletrolíticas e da termorregulação. Como o paciente apresentou melhora das lesões e encontrava-se em bom estado geral, o esquema foi trocado por Sulfametoxazol + Trimetoprima após o antibiograma evidenciar sensibilidade, por mais 7 dias a nível ambulatorial. O paciente apresentou boa resposta ao tratamento e evoluiu sem cicatrizes.

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is a bullous disorder induced by exfoliative toxins associated with Staphylococcus aureus infection, its exact mechanism of which is still uncertain, manifesting itself with the formation of diffuse bullous lesions throughout the body, that usually affects children under 5 years. The case reported presents a 4-month-old child who presented skin lesions of recent onset, with hyperemia and blisters on the trunk, upper limbs and face, which evolved with scaling, in addition to peripalpebral edema, bilateral eye secretion and crusts in the perioral region. The prognosis is favorable and the treatment consists of systemic or oral antibiotic therapy, in addition to supportive therapy in the presence of hydroelectrolytic changes and thermoregulation. As the patient had improved lesions and was in good general condition, the scheme was replaced by Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim, after the antibiogram showed sensitivity, for another 7 days on an outpatient basis. The patient presented good response to treatment and evolved without scars.

Cisto branquial da 4ª fenda ­ relato de caso / Branchial cyst 4th cleft ­ case report

Introdução: Os cistos branquiais são tumores congênitos laterais, resultantes de defeitos de desenvolvimento embrionário que afetam os arcos branquiais.1 As anomalias congênitas cervicais são mais comumente diagnosticadas nos primeiros anos de vida. Objetivo: Informar, discutir e analisar condutas para tratamento desse tipo de cisto congênito. Método:Relato de caso e análise de dados, diagnósticos e conduta baseada na literatura referente a Cisto Branquial da 4° Fenda. Resultados:Os cistos podem se manifestar tardiamente, mas as fístulas são, quase sempre, diagnosticadas ao nascimento ou na infância.São extremamente raros, estima-se que 95% das anomalias das fendas branquiais sejam da 2ª fenda; das 5% restantes, quase todas são da 1ª ou 3ª fenda.O diagnóstico é primariamente clínico, mas a ultrassonografia pode auxiliar no diagnóstico diferencial de um cisto branquial. O tratamento das anomalias branquiais é a excisão cirúrgica. Lactente sexo feminino, 9 meses de idade em acompanhamento de cisto branquial com conduta conservadora. O surgimento da massa se deu logo ao nascimento, havendo drenagem espontânea do cisto para o esôfago alguns dias depois. Após nove meses paciente retorna devido aumento progressivo da lesão que correlacionando com exame físico, exames de imagem levaram ao diagnóstico de cisto de 4º fenda branquial. Realizada cirurgia para remoção de Cisto juntamente com retirada de lobo esquerdo da tireoide (tireoidectomia parcial). Conclusão:Após a exerese da lesão paciente evoluiu satisfatoriamente sendo encaminhado para enfermaria e posteriormente alta com acompanhamento ambulatorial com pediatra geral.

Introduction: Branchial cysts are congenital tumors, resulting from embryonic defects that affect the branchial arches. Congenital cervical abnormalities are usually diagnosed in the first years of life. Objective: To inform, discuss and analyze treatment approaches for this type of congenital cyst. Method: Case report and analysis of data, diagnoses and approaches based on the literature addressing Fourth Branchial Cleft Cysts. Results: Cysts can manifest late, but fistulas are almost always diagnosed at birth or in childhood. They are extremely rare: it is estimated that 95% of branchial cleft anomalies involve the second cleft; of the remaining 5%, almost all arise from the first and third clefts. There are about 45 cases of fourth cleft cysts reported in the literature. The diagnosis is primarily clinical, but the ultrasound can be used for the differential diagnosis of a branchial cyst. Computed tomography will show air-fluid level in the anterior portion of the neck, in front of the thyroid and trachea, which may compress the trachea, causing respiratory distress in childhood. The treatment of branchial anomalies is surgical excision. A 9-month old female patient was being followed up after conservative treatment of a cervical mass (branchial cyst). The cyst appeared immediately after birth, but there was there was spontaneous drainage of the cyst into the esophagus a few days later. After nine months, the patient returned due to a progressive increase of the lesion, which, after physical examination and imaging exams, led to the diagnosis of a fourth branchial cleft cyst. A surgical procedure was performed to remove the cyst along with the left thyroid lobe (partial thyroidectomy). Conclusion: After the excision of the lesion, the patient made a good recovery. She was then referred to the infirmary and later discharged with outpatient follow-up by a general pediatrician.

Study of Binaural Auditory Cortical Response in Children with History of Recurrent Otitis.

Introduction Any type of sensory deprivation in childhood resulting from conductive hearing loss may impair the development of peripheral and central auditory pathway structures with negative consequences for binaural processing. Objective To characterize and compare monoaural and binaural auditory responses in neonates and children without and with a history of recurrent otitis. Methods The study included participants from 0 to 8 years and 11 months old, in good general health conditions, of both genders, divided into a control group, with no history of otitis, and a study group, with history of recurrent otitis. Cortical potential with speech stimulus /ba/-/da/ was used as collection procedure. The arithmetic calculation of the 512 points of the wave was performed to obtain the grand average of the waves of the subjects in both groups. The Shapiro-Wilk and mixed repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) statistical tests were performed to analyze the group effect, the condition, and the interaction (group versus condition) controlling the effect of the age-sex covariable. Results There was a statistically significant difference between the groups for all latency values; and for the P1, N1, P2, and N2 latencies, the differences between the groups occurred in the three analyzed conditions (right and left ears and binaural), revealing the influence of sensory deprivation. There were no significant differences in relation to wave amplitudes. Conclusion There are differences in the cortical potential with speech stimuli and in the binaural interaction component of children with and without history of recurrent otitis.

Cognitive performance and long-latency auditory evoked potentials: a study on aging.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between cognitive performance and long-latency auditory evoked potentials in an elderly population. METHODS: The sample consisted of adults between 20 and 58 years of age and elderly adults between 60 and 70 years of age. The screening procedures adopted were an inspection of the external auditory canal, tonal and vocal audiometry, tympanometry, brain stem auditory evoked potential, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test, and long-latency auditory evoked potential. RESULTS: The latency and amplitude values of cortical components by age group showed significant differences under the following conditions: (i) signals evoked by the speech stimulus /da/ and by the pure-tone stimulus at 2,000 Hz for the N2 amplitude (p=0.008 and p=0.001, respectively) , which were both higher for adults, and (ii) signals evoked by the speech stimulus /da/ for N1 latency (p=0.018) and by the pure-tone stimulus at 2,000 Hz for P2 latency (p=0.017), which were both higher in the elderly population. The cognitive component (P300) showed a significant difference when evoked by speech stimuli, with higher latency in the elderly population (p=0.013). When correlated with cognitive processes, the latency and amplitude of cortical potentials showed direct and medium-strength correlations between abnormal scores obtained on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test and P2 amplitude (p<0.001 and r=0.452). CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between long-latency potentials and cognitive performance in the elderly, which was observed by the increase in the P2 amplitude and the impairment of the process of sound decoding.

Impact of auditory feedback alterations in individuals with stuttering.

INTRODUCTION: Electrophysiological evidence has reinforced the hypothesis that stuttering is associated with a deficit in modulation of the cortical auditory system during speech planning, contributing to an inefficient auditory feedback monitoring and, consequently, resulting in disfluencies. OBJECTIVE: To verify the impact of auditory feedback modifications on the spontaneous speech of individuals with stuttering. METHODS: Sixteen individuals, of both genders, aged 8-17 years and 11 months, with a diagnosis of persistent neurodevelopmental stuttering, were divided into two groups: Moderate Stuttering Group and Severe Stuttering Group. The testing procedures consisted of three stages: collection of identification data, audiological assessment and fluency evaluation of spontaneous speech in four auditory feedback conditions (non-altered, delayed, masked and amplified). The speech sample obtained in the non-altered feedback was considered the control; the others were considered as modified listening conditions. RESULTS: Regarding the stuttering-like disfluencies, a statistically significant difference was observed in the intragroup analysis of the Moderate Stuttering Group between non-altered and masked auditory feedback (p = 0.042), as well as between non-altered and amplified (p = 0.042). There was a statistically significant difference in the Severe Stuttering Group for all auditory feedback modifications in relation to the non-altered (delayed p = 0.012, masked p = 0.025 and amplified p = 0.042). There was also a reduction in flows of syllables and words-per-minute in the Moderate Stuttering Group for the delayed auditory feedback, as compared to non-altered (p = 0.017 and p = 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION: The effect of delayed auditory feedback was favorable for the Severe Stuttering Group, promoting speech fluency. The conditions of masked and amplified auditory feedback resulted in speech benefits in both groups, decreasing the number of stuttering-like disfluencies. The speech rate was not impaired by any listening condition analyzed.

Cognitive performance and long-latency auditory evoked potentials: a study on aging

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between cognitive performance and long-latency auditory evoked potentials in an elderly population. METHODS: The sample consisted of adults between 20 and 58 years of age and elderly adults between 60 and 70 years of age. The screening procedures adopted were an inspection of the external auditory canal, tonal and vocal audiometry, tympanometry, brain stem auditory evoked potential, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test, and long-latency auditory evoked potential. RESULTS: The latency and amplitude values of cortical components by age group showed significant differences under the following conditions: (i) signals evoked by the speech stimulus /da/ and by the pure-tone stimulus at 2,000 Hz for the N2 amplitude (p=0.008 and p=0.001, respectively) , which were both higher for adults, and (ii) signals evoked by the speech stimulus /da/ for N1 latency (p=0.018) and by the pure-tone stimulus at 2,000 Hz for P2 latency (p=0.017), which were both higher in the elderly population. The cognitive component (P300) showed a significant difference when evoked by speech stimuli, with higher latency in the elderly population (p=0.013). When correlated with cognitive processes, the latency and amplitude of cortical potentials showed direct and medium-strength correlations between abnormal scores obtained on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test and P2 amplitude (p<0.001 and r=0.452). CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between long-latency potentials and cognitive performance in the elderly, which was observed by the increase in the P2 amplitude and the impairment of the process of sound decoding.

Cortical auditory evoked potential in babies and children listeners / Potencial evocado auditivo cortical em lactentes e crianc¸as ouvintes

Abstract Introduction Cortical auditory evoked potentials have been increasingly used in research and audiological routines. However, there is a lack of studies with a large number of children who are stratified by age group. These would help clarify the variations in latency and amplitude of cortical auditory evoked potentials, and thus help establish reference values in children of different ages. Objective To identify the variation in latency and amplitude of the cortical auditory evoked potentials and to establish reference values for the pediatric population. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. Subjects were born at term and presented with no auditory complaints. A total of 105 children, of up to 6 years and eleven months old, who were divided into 7 age groups, named 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, participated in the study. The tests were carried out using Biologic Navigator Pro. Initially, brainstem auditory evoked potential testing was performed in order to investigate the electrophysiological threshold of the subjects. Then, cortical auditory evoked potentials were elicited through oddball paradigm with tone burst differing in frequency, 750 Hz (frequent) and 1000 Hz (rare), and stimuli differing in speech: /ba/ (frequent) and /da/ (rare). In this study, descriptive and comparative analyzes of tonal and speech stimuli were performed for the age groups. Results Significant differences were observed when comparing cortical auditory evoked potentials with speech stimulus in the right ear for P2 amplitude, for P1 latency the left ear, for P2 amplitude of the left ear; and for P1 amplitude of the left ear when performed with tonal stimuli. Conclusion The obtained results can be considered as reference values of latency and amplitude of cortical auditory potentials in infants and children, and be used for monitoring their cortical auditory development.

Resumo Introdução Os potenciais evocados auditivos corticais têm sido cada vez mais usados em pesquisas e rotinas audiológicas. É importante que mais pesquisas sejam realizadas com maior número de crianças por faixa etária, a fim de contribuir para o conhecimento e descrever a variação das medidas de latência e amplitude, permitir estabelecer valores de referência desse potencial para crianças de diferentes grupos etários. Objetivo Identificar a variação das medidas de latência e amplitude e estabelecer os valores de referência desse potencial para a população pediátrica. Método Estudo do tipo transversal. Os indivíduos nasceram a termo, com ausência de queixas auditivas. Participaram do estudo 105 crianças de até 6 anos e 11 meses, divididas em 7 grupos de idade, denominados 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 e 7. Os testes foram feitos com o Biologic Navigator Pro. Inicialmente, foi realizado o potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico para investigar o limiar eletrofisiológico dos indivíduos. Em seguida, o potencial evocado auditivo cortical foi feito através do paradigma de oddball com toneburst diferindo em frequência, 750 Hz (frequente) e 1.000 Hz (raro) e o estímulo na fala: / ba / (frequente) e / da / (raro). Neste estudo, foram realizadas análises descritivas e comparativas dos estímulos tonais e de fala para os grupos etários. Resultados Diferenças significantes foram observadas na comparação do potencial evocado auditivo cortical com estímulo de fala da orelha direita para amplitude de P2, para latência de P1 da orelha esquerda, para amplitude de P2 da orelha esquerda e para amplitude de P1 da orelha esquerda quando feita com estímulo tonal. Conclusão Os resultados obtidos podem ser usados como medidas de referência de latência e amplitude dos potenciais auditivos corticais em lactentes e crianças, bem como para monitorar o desenvolvimento auditivo cortical.

Cortical auditory evoked potential in babies and children listeners.

INTRODUCTION: Cortical auditory evoked potentials have been increasingly used in research and audiological routines. However, there is a lack of studies with a large number of children who are stratified by age group. These would help clarify the variations in latency and amplitude of cortical auditory evoked potentials, and thus help establish reference values in children of different ages. OBJECTIVE: To identify the variation in latency and amplitude of the cortical auditory evoked potentials and to establish reference values for the pediatric population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. Subjects were born at term and presented with no auditory complaints. A total of 105 children, of up to 6 years and eleven months old, who were divided into 7 age groups, named 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, participated in the study. The tests were carried out using Biologic Navigator Pro. Initially, brainstem auditory evoked potential testing was performed in order to investigate the electrophysiological threshold of the subjects. Then, cortical auditory evoked potentials were elicited through oddball paradigm with tone burst differing in frequency, 750Hz (frequent) and 1000Hz (rare), and stimuli differing in speech: /ba/ (frequent) and /da/ (rare). In this study, descriptive and comparative analyzes of tonal and speech stimuli were performed for the age groups. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed when comparing cortical auditory evoked potentials with speech stimulus in the right ear for P2 amplitude, for P1 latency the left ear, for P2 amplitude of the left ear; and for P1 amplitude of the left ear when performed with tonal stimuli. CONCLUSION: The obtained results can be considered as reference values of latency and amplitude of cortical auditory potentials in infants and children, and be used for monitoring their cortical auditory development.

Influence of speech-language therapy on P300 outcome in patients with language disorders: a meta-analysis / Influência da terapia fonoaudiológica no resultado do P300 em pacientes distúrbio de linguagem: uma metanálise

Abstract Introduction: The patient's evolution in the audiology and speech-language clinic acts as a motivator of the therapeutic process, contributing to patient adherence to the treatment and allowing the therapist to review and/or maintain their clinical therapeutic conducts. Electrophysiological measures, such as the P300 evoked potential, help in the evaluation, understanding and monitoring of human communication disorders, thus facilitating the prognosis definition in each case. Objective: To determine whether the audiology and speech-language therapy influences the variation of P300 latency and amplitude in patients with speech disorders undergoing speech therapy. Methods: This is a systematic review with meta-analysis, in which the following databases were searched: Pubmed, ScienceDirect, SCOPUS, Web of Science, SciELO and LILACS, in addition to the gray literature bases: OpenGrey.eu and DissOnline. The inclusion criteria were randomized or non-randomized clinical trials, without language or date restriction, which evaluated children with language disorders undergoing speech therapy, monitored by P300, compared to children without intervention. Results: The mean difference between the latencies in the group submitted to therapy and the control group was −20.12 ms with a 95% confidence interval of −43.98 to 3.74 ms (p = 0.08, I 2 = 25% and p value = 0.26). The mean difference between the amplitudes of the group submitted to therapy and the control group was 0.73 uV with a 95% confidence interval of −1.77 to 3.23 uV (p = 0.57, I 2 = 0% and p value = 0.47). Conclusion: The present meta-analysis demonstrates that speech therapy does not influence the latency and amplitude results of the P300 evoked potential in children undergoing speech therapy intervention.

Resumo Introdução: A evolução do paciente na clínica fonoaudiológica atua como fator motivador do processo terapêutico, contribui para a sua adesão ao tratamento e possibilita ao terapeuta a revisão e/ou a manutenção de suas condutas. As medidas eletrofisiológicas, como o potencial evocado P300, auxiliam na avaliação, na compreensão e no monitoramento dos distúrbios da comunicação humana, facilitam, dessa forma, a definição do prognóstico de cada caso. Objetivo: Determinar se a terapia fonoaudiológica influencia na variação da latência e da amplitude do P300 em pacientes com distúrbio de linguagem submetidos à terapia fonoaudiológica. Método: Revisão sistemática com metanálise, na qual foram feitas buscas nas seguintes bases de dados: Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO e Lilacs, além das bases de literatura cinzenta: OpenGrey.eu e DissOnline. Foram considerados critérios de inclusão: ensaios clínicos aleatórios ou não, sem restrição de idiomas ou data, que submeteram crianças com distúrbio de linguagem à terapia fonoaudiológica, monitoradas pelo P300, comparadas a crianças sem intervenção. Resultados: A diferença média entre as latências do grupo submetido à terapia e do grupo controle foi de -20,12 ms com intervalo de confiança 95% entre -43,98 e 3,74 ms (p = 0,08; I2 = 25% e o valor de p = 0,26). A diferença média entre as amplitudes do grupo submetido à terapia e do grupo controle foi de 0,73 uV com intervalo de confiança de 95% entre -1,77 e 3,23 uV (p = 0,57; I2 = 0% e o valor de p = 0,47). Conclusão: A terapia fonoaudiológica não influencia nos resultados de latência e amplitude do potencial evocado P300 em crianças submetidas à intervenção fonoaudiológica.

Interaction Between Cortical Auditory Processing and Vagal Regulation of Heart Rate in Language Tasks: A Randomized, Prospective, Observational, Analytical and Cross-Sectional Study.

Cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEP) throughout a language task is beneficial during psychophysiological evaluation to advance identification of language disorders. So as to better comprehend human communication and to provide additional elements for neuropsychological examinations we aimed to (1) examine the influence of language tasks on cortical auditory processing and vagal control of heart rate and (2) to verify a possible association between the parasympathetic cardiac regulation and cortical auditory processing in language tasks. This study was completed with 49 women. The subjects were separated into two groups: (1) phonological language tasks (N = 21) and (2) semantic (N = 21) language tasks. Heart rate variability (HRV) and CAEP were evaluated before and after the tests. HRV reduced (small effect size) and P3 wave latency increased after the phonological task. Identical variables were significantly correlated after the phonological task and linear regression indicated significant interaction between pNN50 (percentage of adjacent RR intervals with a difference of duration greater than 50 milliseconds) and P3 latency (16.9%). In conclusion, phonological language tasks slightly reduced parasympathetic control of HR and increased cognitive effort. The association between HRV and CAEP are anticipated to be involved in this mechanism.

Influence of speech-language therapy on P300 outcome in patients with language disorders: a meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The patient's evolution in the audiology and speech-language clinic acts as a motivator of the therapeutic process, contributing to patient adherence to the treatment and allowing the therapist to review and/or maintain their clinical therapeutic conducts. Electrophysiological measures, such as the P300 evoked potential, help in the evaluation, understanding and monitoring of human communication disorders, thus facilitating the prognosis definition in each case. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the audiology and speech-language therapy influences the variation of P300 latency and amplitude in patients with speech disorders undergoing speech therapy. METHODS: This is a systematic review with meta-analysis, in which the following databases were searched: Pubmed, ScienceDirect, SCOPUS, Web of Science, SciELO and LILACS, in addition to the gray literature bases: OpenGrey.eu and DissOnline. The inclusion criteria were randomized or non-randomized clinical trials, without language or date restriction, which evaluated children with language disorders undergoing speech therapy, monitored by P300, compared to children without intervention. RESULTS: The mean difference between the latencies in the group submitted to therapy and the control group was -20.12ms with a 95% confidence interval of -43.98 to 3.74ms (p=0.08, I2=25% and p value=0.26). The mean difference between the amplitudes of the group submitted to therapy and the control group was 0.73uV with a 95% confidence interval of -1.77 to 3.23uV (p=0.57, I2=0% and p value=0.47). CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis demonstrates that speech therapy does not influence the latency and amplitude results of the P300 evoked potential in children undergoing speech therapy intervention.