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Schizophrenia Research Jul 2024One of the main tasks of the human visual system is to organize the temporal flow of visual events into meaningful patterns. It has been suggested that...
One of the main tasks of the human visual system is to organize the temporal flow of visual events into meaningful patterns. It has been suggested that segregation/integration of continuous visual stimuli relies on temporal windows that are phase-locked to brain oscillations in the alpha frequency range (~10 Hz). From a behavioral point of view, the balance between integration and segregation is reflected in visual temporal acuity: the ability to perceive a small temporal gap between two identical stimuli. Disruption of this balance may lead to impairment of perceptual organization processes. Notably, schizophrenia, a condition characterized by unusual perceptual experiences, has been associated with abnormal temporal processing of sensory stimuli and aberrant oscillations. We asked a large cohort of healthy participants to complete an online version of the two-flash fusion task and two questionnaires for schizotypal personality traits to investigate individual differences in the temporal resolution of perception, particularly its relationship with anomalous perceptual experiences. We found that two-flash discrimination acuity declines with age and that schizotypal traits are associated with better performances. Although this association was strong for perceptual and cognitive subscales, we found that this result could not be attributed to response biases (e.g., hallucination of two flashes). While these results appear to contrast with findings of slower alpha rhythms and sensory processing in schizotypy, we propose that a faster visual rate could be the consequence of an oscillopathy or a disconnection between different sensory modalities and their physiological pacemaker.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Adult; Schizotypal Personality Disorder; Young Adult; Adolescent; Middle Aged; Photic Stimulation; Visual Acuity; Visual Perception; Surveys and Questionnaires; Aged; Perceptual Disorders; Discrimination, Psychological
PubMed: 38703518
DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2024.04.028 -
Applied Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024This study pursued two objectives: (1) to determine the potential association between listener ( = 51) judgments of 20 male tracheoesophageal speaker samples for two...
INTRODUCTION
This study pursued two objectives: (1) to determine the potential association between listener ( = 51) judgments of 20 male tracheoesophageal speaker samples for two auditory-perceptual dimensions of voice, overall severity (OS) and listener comfort (LC); and (2) to assess the temporal and spectral acoustic correlates for these auditory-perceptual dimensions.
METHODOLOGY
Three separate correlation analyses were performed to evaluate the association between OS and LC. First, scores of OS and LC from all listeners were pooled together, and then the correlation between OS and LC was computed. Second, scores of OS and LC were averaged over all listeners to derive a single estimate of OS and LC for each TE speaker sample; the correlation between the average OS and LC was then computed. Third, listener-to-listener variability in the association between OS and LC was evaluated by computing the correlation between OS and LC scores from each listener across all TE samples. Finally, two stepwise multiple regression models were created to relate the average LC score to spectral and temporal variation in the acoustic signal.
RESULTS
While the pooled OS and LC scores had a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.66, < 0.00001), the averaged OS and LC exhibited a near perfect positive correlation (r = 0.99, < 0.00001). The significant differences between the pooled and averaged scores were explained by significant listener-to-listener variability in the association between OS and LC. OS and LC scores from 5 listeners had non-significant correlations, 10 had moderate correlations (r < 0.7), 35 listeners had high correlations (0.7 < r < 0.9), and 1 listener had a very high correlation (r < 0.9 < 1). Finally, the acoustic models created based on the spectral and temporal variations in the signal were able to account for 87.7% and 61.8% of variation in the average LC score.
CONCLUSIONS
The strong correlations between OS and LC suggest that LC may, in fact, provide a more comprehensive auditory-perceptual surrogate for the voice quality of TE speakers. Although OS and LC are distinct conceptual dimensions, LC appears to have the advantage of assessing the social impact and potential communication disability that may exist in interactions between TE speakers and listeners.
PubMed: 38699704
DOI: 10.3390/app14010214 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Investigation of visual illusions helps us understand how we process visual information. For example, face pareidolia, the misperception of illusory faces in objects,...
Investigation of visual illusions helps us understand how we process visual information. For example, face pareidolia, the misperception of illusory faces in objects, could be used to understand how we process real faces. However, it remains unclear whether this illusion emerges from errors in face detection or from slower, cognitive processes. Here, our logic is straightforward; if examples of face pareidolia activate the mechanisms that rapidly detect faces in visual environments, then participants will look at objects more quickly when the objects also contain illusory faces. To test this hypothesis, we sampled continuous eye movements during a fast saccadic choice task-participants were required to select either faces or food items. During this task, pairs of stimuli were positioned close to the initial fixation point or further away, in the periphery. As expected, the participants were faster to look at face targets than food targets. Importantly, we also discovered an advantage for food items with illusory faces but, this advantage was limited to the peripheral condition. These findings are among the first to demonstrate that the face pareidolia illusion persists in the periphery and, thus, it is likely to be a consequence of erroneous face detection.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Adult; Illusions; Young Adult; Visual Perception; Photic Stimulation; Face; Facial Recognition; Eye Movements; Pattern Recognition, Visual
PubMed: 38693189
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60892-z -
Journal of Communication Disorders 2024Central auditory processing disorders (CAPD) can significantly affect the daily functioning of a child, and the first step in determining whether rehabilitation...
INTRODUCTION
Central auditory processing disorders (CAPD) can significantly affect the daily functioning of a child, and the first step in determining whether rehabilitation procedures are required is a proper diagnosis. Different guidelines for making diagnoses have been published in the literature, and in various centers normative values for psychoacoustic tests of CAPD have been used internally. The material presented in this paper is based on more than 1000 children and is the largest collection so far published. The aim of this study is to present normative values for tests assessing CAPD in children aged 6 to 12 years, divided by age at last birthday.
METHOD
We tested 1037 children aged 6 to 12 years who were attending primary schools and kindergartens. The criteria for inclusion were a normal audiogram, intellectually normal, no developmental problems, and no difficulties in auditory processing. To evaluate auditory processing all children were given three tests on the Senses Examination Platform: the Frequency Pattern Test (FPT), Duration Pattern Test (DPT), and Dichotic Digit Test (DDT).
RESULTS
The results from 1,037 children allowed us to determine normative values for FPT, DPT, and DDT in seven different age groups (6 through to 12 years). We developed a newapproach, based on quantile-based norms, to determine normative values in each group. Three categories - average, below-average, and above-average - allow for a broader but more realistic interpretation than those used previously. We compare our results with published standards.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study is the largest normative database published to date for CAPD testing, setting a standard for each child by age in years. We used the Senses Examination Platform, a universal tool, to unify standards for the classification of CAPD. Our study can serve as a basis for the development of a Polish model for the diagnosis of CAPD.
Topics: Humans; Child; Female; Reference Values; Male; Auditory Perceptual Disorders
PubMed: 38692192
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2024.106426 -
Brain and Behavior May 2024The internal representation of verticality could be disturbed when a lesion in the central nervous system (CNS) affects the centers where information from the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
The internal representation of verticality could be disturbed when a lesion in the central nervous system (CNS) affects the centers where information from the vestibular, visual, and/or somatosensory systems, increasing the risk of falling.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to evaluate the vestibular and somatosensory contribution to the verticality pattern in patients with stroke and other neurological disorders.
METHODS
A literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases. Cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies comparing body verticality in patients with stroke or CNS diseases (CNSD) versus healthy controls were selected. Subjective postural vertical (SPV) in roll and pitch planes was used as the primary variable.
RESULTS
Ten studies reporting data from 390 subjects were included. The overall effect for CNSD patients showed a misperception of body verticality in roll (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] .84-1.25) and pitch planes (SMD = 1.03; 95% CI .51-1.55). In subgroup analyses, a high effect was observed in the perception of SPV both in roll and pitch planes in stroke (p = .002) and other CNSD (p < .001).
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest a potential misperception of SPV in patients with stroke and other neurological disturbances. Patients with CNSD could present an alteration of vestibular and somatosensory contribution to verticality construction, particularly stroke patients with pusher syndrome (PS), followed by those with PS combined with hemineglect.
Topics: Humans; Nervous System Diseases; Perceptual Disorders; Proprioception; Space Perception; Stroke
PubMed: 38688878
DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3496 -
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience Apr 2024Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms, including hallucinations. The use of antipsychotic... (Review)
Review
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms, including hallucinations. The use of antipsychotic medications is a common strategy to manage hallucinations associated with Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP). However, careful consideration is necessary when selecting the most appropriate drug due to the potential risks associated with the available treatment options. Atypical antipsychotics (AAPs), such as Pimavanserin and Clozapine, have effectively controlled PDP symptoms. On the contrary, the support for utilizing quetiapine is not as substantial as other antipsychotics because research studies specifically investigating its application are still emerging and relatively recent. The broad mechanisms of action of AAPs, involving dopamine and serotonin receptors, provide improved outcomes and fewer side effects than typical antipsychotics. Conversely, other antipsychotics, including risperidone, olanzapine, aripiprazole, ziprasidone, and lurasidone, have been found to worsen motor symptoms and are generally not recommended for PDP. While AAPs offer favorable benefits, they are associated with specific adverse effects. Extrapyramidal symptoms, somnolence, hypotension, constipation, and cognitive impairment are commonly observed with AAP use. Clozapine, in particular, carries a risk of agranulocytosis, necessitating close monitoring of blood counts. Pimavanserin, a selective serotonin inverse agonist, avoids receptor-related side effects but has been linked to corrected QT (QTc) interval prolongation, while quetiapine has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of mortality. This review aims to analyze the benefits, risks, and mechanisms of action of antipsychotic medications to assist clinicians in making informed decisions and enhance patient care.
Topics: Humans; Antipsychotic Agents; Clozapine; Hallucinations; Parkinson Disease; Piperidines; Quetiapine Fumarate; Urea
PubMed: 38682215
DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2304080 -
Cureus Mar 2024Introduction Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a fundamental practice-based intervention for treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Few studies have directly...
The Effects of Applied Behavior Analysis on Verbal Behavior With Autistic Individuals Using the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VBMAPP) and the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS).
Introduction Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a fundamental practice-based intervention for treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Few studies have directly measured and evaluated the effects of ABA on verbal behaviors, mainly using the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VBMAPP) and the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS) as outcome measures. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the relationship between ABA interventions and the enhancement of verbal skills, as measured by the VBMAPP and the ABLLS, in a convenience sample of individuals with ASD. Materials and methods At The Oxford Centers (TOCs) in Brighton and Troy, Michigan, USA, 33 individuals with autism received treatment from January 2018 to July 2021, spanning 43 months. A pretest-posttest design was employed to retrospectively examine any impacts between ABA interventions and alterations in verbal scores among individuals with ASD. Depending on developmental age, all subjects underwent two verbal assessments with a six-month interval in-between. Twelve children were administered the VBMAPP, while 21 were given the ABLLS. Results Paired t-tests for pretest and posttest VBMAPP subscales resulted in statistically significant effects (p<0.05) for (VBMAPP - Mand), (VBMAPP - Tact), (VBMAPP - Listener Responding), (VBMAPP - Visual Perceptual Skills and Matching-to-Sample), (VBMAPP -Independent Play), (VBMAPP - Social Play), (VBMAPP - Motor Imitation), (VBMAPP - Spontaneous Vocalization), (VBMAPP - Intraverbal), (VBMAPP - Group Behavior), and (VBMAPP - Linguistic Structure). As measured by Cohen's d, effect sizes were moderate to mostly high (-0.623 to -1.688). There were non-significant results (p>0.05) for (VBMAPP - Listener Responding by Feature, Function, and Class) and (VBMAPP - Echoic). Paired t-tests for pretest and posttest ABLLS subscales resulted in statistically significant effects (p<.05) for all ABLLS scales: (ABLLS - Receptive Language), (ABLLS - Requests), (ABLLS - Labeling), (ABLLS - Intraverbals), (ABLLS - Spontaneous Vocalizations), (ABLLS - Syntax Grammar), (ABLLS - Social Interactions), and (ABLLS - Generalized Responding). As measured by Cohen's d, effect sizes were moderate to mostly high (-0.656 to -1.372). Conclusions The administration of ABA treatments had a noteworthy influence, with statistically significant impacts on improving verbal behaviors on 11 of the 13 VBMAPP scales and all of the ABLLS scales. As measured by Cohen's d, effect sizes were moderate to high for both scales. These findings underscore the importance and effectiveness of ABA interventions in enhancing verbal skills in children with ASD. However, it's crucial to note that further confirmatory studies are required to verify the reliability of these original findings, emphasizing the ongoing need for research in this field.
PubMed: 38681411
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57041 -
Journal of Psychiatric Research Jun 2024Hallucinations are a common feature of psychosis, yet access to effective psychological treatment is limited. The Managing Unusual Sensory Experiences for... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of a novel, brief psychological therapy (Managing Unusual Sensory Experiences) for hallucinations in first episode psychosis (MUSE FEP): Findings from an exploratory randomised controlled trial.
Hallucinations are a common feature of psychosis, yet access to effective psychological treatment is limited. The Managing Unusual Sensory Experiences for First-Episode-Psychosis (MUSE-FEP) trial aimed to establish the feasibility and acceptability of a brief, hallucination-specific, digitally provided treatment, delivered by a non-specialist workforce for people with psychosis. MUSE uses psychoeducation about the causal mechanisms of hallucinations and tailored interventions to help a person understand and manage their experiences. We undertook a two-site, single-blind (rater) Randomised Controlled Trial and recruited 82 participants who were allocated 1:1 to MUSE and treatment as usual (TAU) (n = 40) or TAU alone (n = 42). Participants completed assessments before and after treatment (2 months), and at follow up (3-4 months). Information on recruitment rates, adherence, and completion of outcome assessments was collected. Analyses focussed on feasibility outcomes and initial estimates of intervention effects to inform a future trial. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry 16793301. Criteria for the feasibility of trial methodology and intervention delivery were met. The trial exceeded the recruitment target, had high retention rates (87.8%) at end of treatment, and at follow up (86.6%), with good acceptability of treatment. There were 3 serious adverse events in the therapy group, and 5 in the TAU group. Improvements were evident in both groups at the end of treatment and follow up, with a particular benefit in perceived recovery in the MUSE group. We showed it was feasible to increase access to psychological intervention but a definitive trial requires further changes to the trial design or treatment.
Topics: Humans; Hallucinations; Psychotic Disorders; Female; Male; Adult; Single-Blind Method; Young Adult; Feasibility Studies; Psychotherapy, Brief; Adolescent; Middle Aged; Follow-Up Studies; Outcome Assessment, Health Care
PubMed: 38678686
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.04.031 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Apr 2024: Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with various non-motor symptoms, including minor hallucinations, comprising visual illusions and presence and passage...
: Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with various non-motor symptoms, including minor hallucinations, comprising visual illusions and presence and passage hallucinations. Despite their occurrence, even in newly diagnosed PD patients, data regarding the prevalence and characteristics of minor hallucinations, visual illusions in particular, remain limited. The aim of this study was to address this knowledge gap by assessing the prevalence of minor hallucinations in PD patients, with a focus on visual illusions. : In this prospective pilot study, we enrolled 35 PD patients without dementia and 35 age- and gender-matched PD-unaffected individuals. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, clinical data were collected, and all subjects were assessed via questionnaires regarding 20 types of visual illusions and other minor hallucinations. : The prevalence of minor hallucinations was significantly higher among PD patients compared to controls (45.7% vs. 11.4%, = 0.003). PD patients reported visual illusions and presence hallucinations more frequently than the controls (37.1% vs. 8.6% and 22.9% vs. 2.9%, = 0.009 and = 0.028, respectively), with no significant difference in passage hallucinations (20% vs. 8.6%, = 0.306). In the PD group, the most frequently observed visual illusions were complex visual illusions, kinetopsia, and pelopsia; the latter was also the most common visual illusion in the control group. PD patients experiencing visual illusions were more likely to report presence hallucinations compared to patients without visual illusions (53.8% vs. 4.5%, = 0.002); no significant differences in other clinical characteristics were found. : Minor hallucinations are a common phenomenon among PD patients without dementia, with a higher prevalence than among healthy controls. Visual illusions are the most prevalent type of minor hallucinations, affecting more than a third of PD patients, with complex visual illusions, kinetopsia, and pelopsia being the most frequently reported types.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Hallucinations; Female; Male; Lithuania; Aged; Prospective Studies; Illusions; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Prevalence; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38674252
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60040606 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024: Restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS/WED) has occasionally but not consistently been associated with cognitive and most notably language and executive...
: Restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS/WED) has occasionally but not consistently been associated with cognitive and most notably language and executive impairment. The present study was conducted to investigate the cognitive trajectories of older individuals with RLS/WED. : Participants were drawn from the randomly selected, older (>64 years), population-based HELIAD cohort. Individuals without dementia and with available neuropsychological evaluations at baseline and follow-up were considered for potential eligibility. A comprehensive assessment examining five principal components of cognition (memory, visuo-spatial ability, attention, executive function, and language) was administered to the participants. Generalized estimating equation analyses were used to examine the unadjusted and adjusted (for critical factors and covariates) effects of RLS/WED on cognition over time. : A total of 1003 predominantly female (59.5%), older (72.9 ± 4.9 years) participants with follow-up evaluations after a mean of 3.09 ± 0.85 years and without dementia at baseline and follow-up were included in the present study. Among them, 81 were diagnosed with RLS/WED at baseline. Global cognition, memory, attention, and executive and visuo-perceptual skills did not differ between those with and without RLS/WED. However, the RLS/WED group performed worse on language at baseline by a standard deviation of 0.249, while demonstrating a mitigated language decline over time, by a standard deviation of 0.063. The unadjusted models yielded similar results. : Our findings were indicative of a baseline language disadvantage among older individuals with RLS/WED, but the initial discrepancy tends to dissolve over time.
PubMed: 38672702
DOI: 10.3390/life14040430