Frontiers in Neuroscience Journal

• Combining the unequal variance signal detection model with the health belief model to optimize shared decision making in tinnitus patients: part 2—patient profiling

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  IntroductionTinnitus affects approximately 14% of the population. Its symptomatology is versatile, ranging from mild annoyance to anxiety and depression. Current multidisciplinary treatments (psychological, audiological, and combinations) focus on impact reduction and acceptance. Shared decision making (SDM) promotes patients and health care professionals making treatment choices together based on the best available evidence. In the case of professional equipoise (no clear clinical evidence for superiority of a treatment), knowledge about individual factors influencing the outcome of patient decisions can be of utmost importance in informing the SDM process.MethodsA statistical model that was developed in previous work to analyze tinnitus patient decisions, was extended to analyze how patient characteristics on sex, age, and laterality of tinnitus affect the accuracy and utility of decisions concerning audiological care and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) based psychosocial counseling. For each group, we calculated Receiver-Operator-Characteristic curves and likelihood ratio curves as function of hearing loss and pre-treatment tinnitus impact to assess accuracy and utility of decisions for audiological care and CBT-based counseling, respectively.ResultsThe largest effect was found for sex differences. The results indicated that males used a strict decision criterion when deciding about psychosocial counseling, while females used a strict decision criterion for decisions about audiological care. The likelihood ratios of a successful treatment versus unsuccessful treatment are smaller than 1 for psychosocial counseling for females and for audiological care for males. The likelihood ratios of success are approximately 2 and almost 7 for audiological care for females and psychosocial counseling for males, respectively. For age differences, older participants adopted a more lenient decision criterion for audiological care across most of the hearing loss range, while younger participants adopt a stricter decision criterion up to hearing losses of approximately 75 dB(HL). For psychosocial counseling, older participants adopted an unbiased criterion and younger participants a strict decision criterion. For the younger group, psychological counseling seems more likely to be successful compared to the older group. When considering laterality, for audiological care the group with unilateral tinnitus adopted a strict decision criterion for the whole range of hearing loss, while the group with bilateral tinnitus adopted a strict decision criterion for hearing losses above approximately 70 dB(HL). For decisions about psychosocial counseling, the unilateral tinnitus group adopt a strict decision criterion for baseline THI-scores between approximately 25 and 90 points. The bilateral tinnitus group adopted an unbiased to strict decision criterion for psychosocial counseling for the entire baseline THI-score range.DiscussionThese findings underscore the importance of personalized treatment approaches based on specific patient characteristics and the need for further research to test and improve these findings. Especially males may be more strongly advised to take up psychosocial counseling and females may be more strongly advised to take up audiological care. For age and laterality, the results are more diffuse.
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• 19 patients report seizure freedom with medical cannabis oil treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy: a case series

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  PurposeSeizure freedom (SF) is the primary goal of epilepsy treatment. More treatments that produce SF in drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) are needed. Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) containing cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), administered as oils, have been shown to induce SF in DRE. However, there remains a paucity of published real-world evidence in both pediatrics and adults on SF resulting from CBPM therapy.MethodsThis is a retrospective case series at an outpatient neurology clinic in Toronto, Canada, on patients with DRE who experienced significant SF during CBPM treatment. All patients were treated via the clinic’s stepwise treatment protocol with CBPM oils only. The study describes clinical features of patients and their CBPM-related SF.ResultsWe report 19 DRE cases that experienced SF; 15 pediatric, 4 adults. The median cumulative SF duration was 245 days, split between continuous SF periods lasting at least 90 days. Five patients had continuous SF periods lasting ≥ 1 year. Most patients used CBD+THC regimens. Three patients weaned all concomitant ASMs. Adverse events (AEs) were reported by half of the patients.ConclusionThe results of the study support prioritizing CBPMs in cases of DRE. It also supports research into identifying clinical and biological biomarkers for DRE cases that may achieve SF under CBPM treatment. Lastly, the study supports improving the accessibility of CBPMs, using SF as a primary outcome in future CBPM epilepsy trials, and assessing the role of THC in reducing seizures.
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• Alzheimer's disease recognition via long-range state space model using multi-modal brain images

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  As a persistent neurodegenerative abnormality, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is affecting an increasing number of elderly people. The early identification of AD is critical for halting the disease progression at an early stage. However, the extraction and fusion of multi-modal features at different scales from brain images remains a challenge for effective AD recognition. In this work, a novel feature fusion long-range state space model (FF-LSSM) model is suggested for effective extraction and fusion of multi-level characteristics from scannings of MRI and PET. The FF-LSSM can extract whole-volume features at every scale and effectively decide their global dependencies via adopted 3D Mamba encoders. Moreover, a feature fusion block is employed to consolidate features of different levels extracted by each encoder to generate fused feature maps. A classifier is cascaded at the end, using the fused features to produce the predicted labels. The FF-LSSM model is optimized and evaluated using brain images of subjects from the ADNI dataset. The inference result on the testing set reveals the FF-LSSM accomplishes a classification ACC of 93.59% in CN vs. AD and 79.31% in sMCI vs. pMCI task, proving its effectiveness in disease classification. Finally, the introduction of the Grad-CAM method illustrates that the implied FF-LSSM can detect AD- and MCI-related brain regions effectively.
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• Effects of visual spatial frequency on audiovisual interaction: an event-related potential study

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  Spatial frequency is a fundamental characteristic of visual signals that modulates the audiovisual integration behavior, but the neural mechanisms underlying spatial frequency are not well established. In the present study, the high temporal resolution of event-related potentials was used to investigate how visual spatial frequency modulates audiovisual integration. A visual orientation discrimination task was used, and the spatial frequency of visual stimuli was manipulated under three conditions. Results showed that the influence of visual spatial frequency on audiovisual integration is a dynamic process. The earliest audiovisual integration occurred over the left temporal-occipital regions in the early sensory stage (60–90 ms) for high spatial frequency conditions but was absent for low and middle spatial frequency conditions. In addition, audiovisual integration over fronto-central regions was delayed as spatial frequency increased (from 230–260 ms to 260–320 ms). The integration effect was also observed over parietal and occipital regions at 350–380 ms, and its strength gradually decreased at higher spatial frequencies. These discrepancies in the temporal and spatial distributions of audiovisual integration imply that the role of spatial frequency varies between early sensory and late cognitive stages. The findings of this study offer the first neural demonstration that spatial frequency modulates audiovisual integration, thus providing a basis for studying complex multisensory integration, especially in semantic and emotional domains.
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• Axial and mean diffusivity predict myelin density in the hippocampus of pigs during early brain development, independent of sex

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  IntroductionIn the developmental field, sex differences can alter brain growth and development. Across the literature, sex differences have been reported in overall brain volume, white matter, gray matter and numerous other regions and tracts captured through non-invasive neuroimaging. Growing evidence suggests that sex differences appear at birth and continue through childhood. However, limited work has been completed in translational animal models, such as the domestic pig. Additionally, when using neuroimaging, uncertainties remain about which method best depicts microstructural changes, such as myelination.Materials and methodsTo address this gap, the present study utilized a total of 24 pigs (11 intact males or boars; 13 females or gilts) that underwent neuroimaging at postnatal day (PND) 29 or 30 to assess overall brain structural anatomy (MPRAGE), microstructural differences using diffusion (DTI), and an estimation of myelin content via myelin water fraction (MWF). On PND 32, brains were collected from all pigs, with the left hippocampus isolated, sectioned, and stained using the Gallyas silver impregnation method to quantify myelin density.ResultsMinimal sex differences were observed across neuroimaging modalities, with only myelin content exhibiting sex differences in the hippocampus (P = 0.022). In the left hippocampus (P = 0.038), females had a higher MWF value compared with males. This was supported by histologically derived myelin density as assessed by positive pixel percentage, but differences were isolated to one anatomical plane of the hippocampus (P = 0.024) and not the combined mean value (P = 0.333). Further regression analysis determined that axial (P = 0.01) and mean (P = 0.048) diffusivity measures, but not fractional anisotropy or MWF, were positively correlated with histologically derived myelin density in the left hippocampus, independent of sex.DiscussionThese findings suggest that at 4 weeks of age, axial and mean diffusivity may better reflect myelin density. Further investigation is required to confirm underlying mechanisms. Overall, minimal sex differences were observed in 4-week-old domestic pigs, indicating similar brain structure at this early stage of development.
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• Unlocking nerve regeneration: electrical stimulation and bioscaffolds to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration

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  Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a challenging clinical problem resulting in disabling sensorimotor deficits, which may become permanent if recovery does not take place in a timely manner. In this review, we examine recent insights into key molecular mechanisms—particularly MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt—that govern Wallerian degeneration, Schwann cell (SC) reprogramming, and macrophage polarization. These and other critical steps in the axonal regeneration process must be understood and navigated for a therapeutic approach to be successful. We highlight emerging therapeutic strategies, such as electrical stimulation (ES), which appears to work by activating many of these pro-regenerative gene networks, both in neurons and non-neuronal support cells. Advances in biomaterial engineering, including natural and synthetic scaffolds enriched with growth factors, also show promise in facilitating axonal regeneration across nerve gaps. We postulate that integrating optimized ES protocols with innovative scaffold designs will allow for synergies to further enhance axonal regeneration and functional recovery.
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• Perturbations in gut microbiota in autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review

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  BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder commonly accompanied by gut dysbiosis and gastrointestinal symptoms. Accumulating evidence supports a crucial role of gut microbiota dysbiosis in the pathophysiological mechanisms of ASD. However, the alteration of gut microbiota shows high heterogeneity across different studies. This study aims to identify potential biomarkers in the gut microbiota of patients with ASD.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive analysis by searching the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases, for studies assessing the changes of gut microbial diversity and taxa in ASD patients and healthy controls using high-throughput sequencing. Vote counting analyses were performed to identify consistently altered gut microbes associated with ASD.ResultsSixty-four studies involving 189 differentially abundant gut microbial taxa were included. Our synthesis provided no strong evidence for a difference in α-diversity between ASD patients and healthy controls, while studies were relatively consistent in reporting differences in β-diversity. Among 189 taxa, we identified three significantly increased taxa in ASD patients: Eubacteriales, Klebsiella, and Clostridium. Additionally, there were enriched trends of Oscillospira, Dorea, and Collinsella, and depleted trends of Streptococcus, Akkermansia, Coprococcus, and Dialister. These findings suggest that the disrupted intestinal microecology and functional changes in ASD are characterized by an enrichment of pro-inflammatory genera, a reduction of specific probiotics, lactic acid-producing and utilizing bacteria, and an imbalance of anti-inflammatory butyrate-producing bacteria. Substantial heterogeneity across studies concerning demographics and methodologies was also observed.ConclusionThis systematic review contribute to a further understanding of the role of gut microbiota in ASD and support the development of microbiota-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for ASD.
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• Dynamic electrophysiological changes in abnormal brain cavities post-ischemic stroke

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  IntroductionStroke is a global health challenge and the leading cause of long-term disability. While survival rates have improved, effective treatments for post-stroke impairments remain lacking. A novel approach to address this unmet need involves targeting the cavities that develop after ischemic events, referred to as abnormal brain cavities (ABCs), for post-stroke neuromodulation. Despite their potential significance, ABCs have not been systematically studied, creating a gap in understanding their role in recovery and therapeutic strategies. This study represents the first investigation into the electrophysiological properties of ABC walls.MethodsTo explore this, we developed an ABC model in anesthesized rats (male, n = 11) through controlled aspirations of the forelimb area of the motor cortex. We recorded local field potentials (LFPs), event-related potentials (ERP), and spiking activity across various conditions, including healthy, acute, and chronic phases from different anatomical locations of the ABC wall.ResultsOur findings revealed significant effects of both location and condition on oscillatory power across different frequency bands. We observed significant decreases in power across different conditions (p < 0.0001), and this decrease varied in different locations. Similarly, our analysis showed significant effects of location and condition on ERP amplitudes, revealing a marked reduction in the acute phase (p = 0.001), followed by recovery in the chronic phase (p = 0.007). As the condition progressed to the chronic phase, these ERPs had shorter latencies (p < 0.0001). Notably, our results demonstrated that spiking rates remained consistent, across different conditions.DiscussionThis near-normal single-unit activity suggests that the ABC wall has the potential to serve as an effective interface for neuromodulation. Additionally, the significant effects of location on our outcome measures indicates that, location-specific electrophysiologic signatures exist within the ABC wall, which could guide targeted stimulation strategies. Overall, this study underscores the need for further research into stimulation techniques targeting ABCs to facilitate recovery in stroke patients, as the ABC wall presents a promising opportunity for direct access to lesioned brain areas.
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• fMRI-based explanations for how meditation could modulate pain processing

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  Meditation is a widely recognized umbrella term encompassing a diverse range of techniques with shared foundational characteristics, celebrated for their potential to alleviate mental and physical challenges. While subjective reports and behavioral studies have long highlighted meditation’s benefits, recent neuroscientific research has sought to provide tangible physiological evidence of its efficacy as a non-invasive intervention for managing physical pain. This review examines the neurophysiological mechanisms by which meditation influences brain activity in response to both acute and chronic pain experiences. Drawing on findings from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, general models are categorized to explain how meditation alters cortical responses in both naïve and expert practitioners when exposed to pain stimuli. First, we discuss three major components of pain processing in the brain and analyze how meditation affects each stage. Next, we identify key brain regions consistently implicated in pain modulation through meditation, elucidating their roles in pain perception and regulation. Finally, we propose a framework for differentiating meditation techniques based on their distinct effects on pain experiences. These insights have significant implications for understanding the therapeutic potential of various meditation techniques for pain management, particularly in chronic conditions.
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• Brain-acting hepatokines: its impact on energy balance and metabolism

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  The liver is recognized for its central role in energy metabolism, yet emerging evidence highlights its function as an endocrine organ, secreting a variety of proteins—hepatokines—that influence distant tissues. Hepatokines not only regulate metabolic processes by acting on peripheral tissues but also exert direct effects on brain function. In this mini-review, we discuss the existing literature on the role of “brain-acting” hepatokines including IGF-1, FGF21, LEAP2, GDF15, and ANGPTLs, and their impact on energy balance and metabolism. We review the existing evidence regarding their roles in metabolism through their action in the brain, and their potential implications in metabolic disturbances. By integrating insights from recent studies, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how liver-derived signals can modulate energy balance and metabolism.
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• Case Report: Electro-cortical network effects of an acute stroke revealed by high-density electroencephalography

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  IntroductionFocal lesions such as a stroke can cause not only local effects but also distant effects in anatomically intact regions. The impact of stroke lesions on brain networks has been mapped using neuroimaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). In the present study, we established the feasibility of detecting network dysfunction at the electrocortical level using high-density electroencephalography (HD-EEG).Case reportWe studied brain function using HD-EEG in a patient with an acute left middle cerebral artery stroke. Slowing in the delta range was present beyond the ischemic focus, extending to the perilesional regions as well as distant regions. There was also delta connectivity in the stroke hemisphere with slowing affecting mainly distant regions that were interconnected with the site of the ischemic region (i.e., network-level diaschisis), although this was not statistically significant.ConclusionThis case study illustrates the feasibility of using HD-EEG to map local and distant electrical activity consequences of an acute stroke on cortical functions. Such a technique could be clinically useful to improve personalized stroke-network mapping in patients with acute cortical lesions.
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• Eye movement patterns drive stress reduction during Japanese garden viewing

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  AimThe aim of this study is to clarify the role of eye movements in the reduction of physiological and psychological metrics of stress during Japanese garden viewing.MethodsWe chose the well-structured Murin-an garden as a test site and a garden with similar visual elements but less well-maintained as a control site. We measured pulse rates and eye movements to monitor physiological responses. Psychological responses were tracked with the POMS2 Brief form and a short questionnaire.ResultsWe found that the Murin-an garden was more effective in decreasing pulse rate and improving mood. Also, in the Murin-an garden the participants’ gaze ranged more broadly across the visual field and moved more rapidly. Contrary to our expectations, in neither garden did pulse rate rise or fall based on the particular object a participant was viewing.ConclusionVisual stimuli of a well-designed garden can elicit significant stress reduction. Our data suggest that the composition of the elements and the attention to maintenance of a garden result in viewers shifting their gaze more frequently and more quickly. These appear to be the key drivers behind the stress reduction effect. Although we had hypothesized that specific visual elements in the garden would be responsible for reducing measures of stress, our data instead suggest that it is the overall pattern of rapid horizontal eye movements, induced by the garden design, that drives the observed stress reduction. We draw an analogy between our results and the technique known as EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) whose practitioners use rapid gaze shifts to elicit stress reduction.
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• Acupuncture might enhance word recognition scores in a patient with hearing loss: a case report and literature review

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  BackgroundSensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a hearing disorder caused by damage to the inner ear, the auditory centers, or the auditory nerve in the brain. Sensorineural hearing loss not only causes an increase in the pure tone audiometry of patients, but also may lead to a decrease in word recognition scores. Although contemporary medical advancements like cochlear hearing devices and auditory aids provide some assistance to individuals with hearing loss, many patients still seek more natural and non-invasive treatment options.Case presentationA 61-year-old male patient came to our acupuncture clinic on September 22, 2024, complaining of significant hearing deficit in his left ear, which had persisted for 1 year. Upon admission, pure tone audiometry showed severe hearing loss across all frequencies in the left ear, with a word recognition score of 64. Based on the comprehensive examination results, we diagnosed him with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The patient had previously received both traditional Chinese and Western medical treatments at several hospitals, but his symptoms had not significantly improved. On October 20, 2024, after 11 sessions of acupuncture, the patient reported an improvement in his hearing, with the word recognition score in his left ear increasing from 64 to 76. On November 17, 2024, after completing 21 acupuncture sessions, the word recognition score in his left ear further advanced from 76 to 94. Ultimately, a two-month follow-up showed no recurrence of hearing loss.ConclusionAcupuncture might serve as a promising treatment choice for improving word recognition scores in individuals suffering from hearing loss.
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• The neuronal and synaptic representations of spatial release from masking in the rat auditory cortex

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  In complex acoustic environments, both humans and animals are frequently exposed to sounds from multiple sources. The detection threshold for a target sound (or probe) can be elevated by interference sounds (masker) originating from various locations. This masking effect is reduced when the probe and masker are spatially separated compared to when they are colocalized, thereby improving the perception of the probe. This phenomenon is known as spatial release from masking. Currently, the neuronal and synaptic mechanisms underlying spatial release from masking in the auditory cortex are not fully understood. Here we employed single-unit recording and in vivo whole-cell patch-clamp recording techniques to examine how maskers from different spatial locations influence the detection thresholds of rat primary auditory cortex (A1) neurons in response to probe stimuli. At the cortical neuronal level, the masked detection thresholds of most A1 neurons in response to probes were significantly decreased when maskers were displaced from azimuths colocalized with the probe to other separated azimuths ipsilateral to the recording site. Similarly, at the cortical synaptic level, the masked detection thresholds of A1 neurons, as determined from the amplitude of evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents in response to probes presented at azimuth locations within the contralateral hemifield, were also decreased when maskers were shifted from azimuth locations in the contralteral hemifield to those in the ipsilateral hemifield. This study provides neuronal and synaptic evidences for spatial release from masking in the auditory cortex, advancing our understanding of the mechanisms involved in auditory signal processing in noisy environments.
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• Investigating the spatial limits of somatotopic and depth-dependent sensory discrimination stimuli in rats via intracortical microstimulation

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  The somatosensory cortex can be electrically stimulated via intracortical microelectrode arrays (MEAs) to induce a range of vibrotactile sensations. While previous studies have employed multi-shank MEA configurations to map somatotopic relationships, the influence of cortical depth on sensory discrimination remains relatively unexplored. In this study, we introduce a novel approach for investigating the spatial limits of stimulation-evoked sensory discrimination based on cortical depth and somatotopic relationships in rodents. To achieve this, we implanted single-shank and four-shank 16-channel MEAs into the primary somatosensory cortex of male rats. Then, we defined distinct stimulation patterns for comparison, each consisting of four simultaneously stimulated electrode sites separated along the length of the single-shank device or between shanks for the four-shank device. Next, we utilized a nose-poking, two-choice sensory discrimination task to evaluate each rat’s ability to accurately differentiate between these patterns. We demonstrate that the rats were able to reliably discriminate between the most superficial (450–750 μm) and deepest (1650–1950 μm) single-shank patterns with 90% accuracy, whereas discrimination between the most superficial and next adjacent pattern (650–950 μm) significantly dropped to 53% (p < 0.05). Similarly, in the four-shank group, discrimination accuracy was 88% for the furthest pattern pairs (375 μm difference) but significantly fell to 62% (p < 0.05) for the closest pairs (125 μm difference). Overall, the single-shank subjects could robustly differentiate between stimuli separated by 800 μm along a cortical column whereas, the multi-shank animals could robustly differentiate between stimuli delivered from shanks separated by 250 μm. Results showed that when spatial distances between stimuli patterns were decreased, the rats had reduced discriminable accuracy, suggesting greater difficulty when differentiating closely positioned stimuli. To better understand the single-shank results, we also utilized computational modeling to compare our in-vivo results against neuronal activation volumes presented in a biophysically realistic model of the somatosensory cortex. These simulations displayed overlapping volumes of activated neurons via antidromic propagation of axons for the closest pattern pair, potentially influencing discriminable limits. This work, which offers insight into how the physical separation of stimulating microelectrode sites maps to discernable percepts, informs the design considerations for future intracortical microstimulation arrays.
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• Aberrant white matter and subcortical gray matter functional network connectivity associated with static and dynamic characteristics in subjects with temporal lobe epilepsy

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  Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common type of epilepsy, with seizures primarily originating in the deep temporal lobe. This condition results in changes in connectivity across gray matter (GM), and white matter (WM) regions. This altered connectivity categorizes TLE as a network disorder, highlighting the need to investigate functional network connectivity (FNC) in WM areas. Dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) measures time-varying correlations between two or multiple regions of interest and derives clusters highlighting functional networks (FNs) where connectivity among regions behaves in a similar fashion. In this study, we included a total of 103 subjects from the Epilepsy Connectome Project, comprising 51 healthy controls (HC), and 52 subjects with TLE. We obtained static FNs (sFNs) and dynamic FNs (dFNs) using K-means clustering on ROI-based static functional connectivity (sFC) and dFC, respectively. Both static and dynamic FNCs were then separately investigated in HC and TLE subjects, with the latter demonstrating significant differences in WM networks. The static FNC was significantly decreased between the Forceps minor-Anterior corona radiata (ACR) - genu and left inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) in TLE. Dynamic FNC significantly decreased between the corpus callosum (CC) (body) - superior corona radiata - right superior longitudinal fasciculus network and the Forceps minor - ACR - medial frontal gyrus network in subjects with TLE. This result implies that this WM connection changes with lower variability in TLE. On the other hand, the dynamic connections between the left temporal sub gyral - left thalamus - left pallidus - left hippocampus and right thalamus - right putamen - right temporal sub gyral - right pallidus network and the connections between the cingulum network and right thalamus - right putamen - right temporal sub gyral - right pallidus network significantly increased. These results indicate that these two GM subcortical connections change with higher variability in TLE. The study also demonstrates that the static functional connectivity strength (FCS) of the left ILF decreased significantly in subjects with TLE. However, the dynamic FCS of the splenium and brain stem were altered significantly in TLE, implying that the total dynamic connections of this network with all other networks experienced greater changes. Furthermore, the FNC suggests that the WM regions - ILF, superior and ACR, and CC exhibit connectivity changes related to the clinical features.
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• The results of short-course acoustic test could act as an effective predictor of the efficacy of customized music therapy for chronic tinnitus

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  ObjectivesThe aim of our study is to explore the predictive value of the short-course acoustic test in determining the efficacy of customized music therapy for chronic subjective tinnitus.DesignPatients with tinnitus as one of the core complaints were included from October 2022 to June 2024. According to the short-course acoustic test results, the participants were divided into three groups: tinnitus disappeared group, tinnitus relieved group and tinnitus unchanged group. All the participants indiscriminately underwent the 10-months of customized music therapy (CMT) and follow-up visits.ResultsBefore therapy, only the duration of tinnitus was significantly different among the three groups (p < 0.001). After 10-months of CMT treatment, the Tinnitus Loudness Visual Analogue Scale (THI), Hospital Anxiety Scale (HADS-A) and Tinnitus Loudness Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores of the three groups showed a decreasing trend (p < 0.05), and the treatment efficacy rate of the tinnitus disappeared group was higher than that of the tinnitus relieved group, while the treatment efficacy rate of the tinnitus relieved group was higher than that of the tinnitus unchanged group. The logistic regression results showed that the results of the short-course acoustic test, baseline THI scores, and the presence of hearing loss had significant effects on the efficacy of CMT.ConclusionThe short-course acoustic test to some extent can predict the efficacy of CMT in patients with chronic subjective tinnitus and can be used to guide clinical therapy.
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• Improved dementia screening for elderly with low education in South Korea using the Cognitive Impairment Screening Test (CIST)

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  BackgroundThe Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the most widely used cognitive screening test worldwide; however, it often overdiagnoses older adults with low education levels. In contrast, the Cognitive Impairment Screening Test (CIST), developed by South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare, may address this shortcoming. In this study, we compare the CIST and the Korean version of the MMSE (K-MMSE) in older adults with no formal education.MethodsWe included 100 older adults (≥ 65 years)—27 with normal cognition (NC), 37 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 36 with dementia (DM). All completed both the CIST and K-MMSE. First, we analyzed correlations between the CIST and K-MMSE. Next, we performed an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), adjusting for age and sex, to compare group performance. Finally, classification performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses, examining the area under the curve (AUC) and other relevant metrics.ResultsThe CIST showed positive correlations with both the K-MMSE (r = 0.722) and the K-MMSE z-score (r = 0.625). ANCOVA revealed significant group differences (p < 0.001) for both measures. When distinguishing NC from MCI/DM, the CIST outperformed the K-MMSE, demonstrating a higher AUC (0.869 vs. 0.842) and F1-score (0.697 vs. 0.409).ConclusionThe CIST is a reliable and useful tool for assessing cognitive function, showing advantages over the K-MMSE in detecting cognitive decline among older adults without formal education. Further large-scale validation studies are warranted.
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• Neural mechanisms of symmetry perception: hemispheric specialization and the impact of noise on reflection symmetry detection

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  Symmetry is a crucial cue for perceptual grouping in human vision. This study investigates the neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying symmetry perception, focusing on hemispheric specialization and the effects of noise on symmetry detection. Using psychophysical and electrophysiological (EEG) experiments, participants were presented with reflection symmetric patterns (full circle vs. right-left quarter-circle), under varying noise levels. Behavioral results demonstrated noise-induced impairment in accuracy (p < 0.001), with Cycle outperforming Quarter in noiseless conditions (p < 0.05), highlighting the role of contour completeness in perceptual grouping. EEG recordings revealed distinct neural mechanisms associated with different stages of symmetry processing. Early sensory processing exhibited left-hemisphere dominance, while later stages implicated the right hemisphere in noise-modulated global integration. Noise disrupted early contour integration and attenuated higher-order object recognition processes, with right-hemisphere sensitivity to noise emerging during decision-making. These findings challenge the strong version of the callosal hypothesis, highlighting the complexity of hemispheric interactions in symmetry perception. This study provides new insights into the interplay between bottom-up sensory processing and top-down hemispheric interactions in perceptual organization.
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• Neural correlates of emotional working memory predict depression and anxiety

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  IntroductionEmotional working memory (WM) plays a critical role in cognitive functions such as emotion regulation, decision-making, and learning. Understanding how emotional stimuli, particularly negative ones, affect WM performance is crucial for identifying cognitive markers of mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Our objective is to determine whether trait anxiety and depression levels are associated with specific performance outcomes in emotional WM and whether behavioral and neural indicators demonstrate statistically significant correlations with individual anxiety and depression levels in university students.MethodsIn our research: Experiment 1 (n = 25) tested WM performance with both positive and negative emotional stimuli under different cognitive loads (2 vs. 4 items), while Experiment 2 (n = 34) combined EEG recording to investigate the neural index of anxiety and depression during negative emotional WM.ResultsResults showed that negative emotional stimuli impaired WM performance, especially under higher cognitive loads, with anxiety level being linked to increased theta activity during encoding and depression level associated with decreased alpha activity during retrieval. Additionally, individuals with higher anxiety exhibited reduced sensitivity to cognitive load differences in WM tasks involving negative emotions.DiscussionThese results demonstrated that specific EEG patterns during negative emotional WM were significantly associated with individual anxiety and depression levels, suggesting the potential utility of EEG measures for identifying at-risk individuals of anxiety and depression in university student populations. By linking cognitive and neural indicators, the study contributes to the development of personalized interventions for mental health monitoring and treatment.
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