Modeling the Test-Retest Statistics of a Localization Experiment in the Full Horizontal Plane.

Hypothesis: Two approaches to model the test-retest statistics of a localization experiment basing on Gaussian distribution and on surrogate data are introduced. Their efficiency is investigated using different measures describing directional hearing ability.

Background: A localization experiment in the full horizontal plane is a challenging task for hearing impaired patients.

Effect of changing pulse rate on profile parameters of perceptual thresholds and loudness comfort levels and relation to ECAP thresholds in recipients of the Nucleus CI24RE device.

The Nucleus CI24RE ‘Freedom' device offers higher stimulation rates and lower noise levels in action potential measurements (ECAPs) than previous devices. A study including ten European implant teams showed that the effect of changes in rate from 250 to 3500 pulses per second on tilt and curvature of the T and C profiles is insignificant. When changing rate one may change the levels at all electrodes by the same amount.

Clinical results of AutoNRT, a completely automatic ECAP recording system for cochlear implants.

Objective: AutoNRT is the completely automatic electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) measuring algorithm in the recently released Nucleus Freedom cochlear implant system. AutoNRT allows clinicians to automatically record T-NRT profiles that in turn can be used as a guide for initial fitting. The algorithm consists of a pattern recognition part that judges if the traces contain an ECAP and an intelligent flow that optimizes the measurement parameters and finds the ECAP threshold (T-NRT).

Kinematic analysis of thalamic versus subthalamic neurostimulation in postural and intention tremor.

Deep brain stimulation of the thalamus (thalamic DBS) is an established therapy for medically intractable essential tremor and tremor caused by multiple sclerosis. In both disorders, motor disability results from complex interaction between kinetic tremor and accompanying ataxia with voluntary movements. In clinical studies, the efficacy of thalamic DBS has been thoroughly assessed.

Measuring the refractoriness of the electrically stimulated auditory nerve.

Intracochlear recordings in cochlear implant recipients provide access to the electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP). ECAP thresholds are potential predictors of speech processor map's threshold and comfortable loudness levels. The auditory nerve's refractory properties can influence these levels due to high-rate stimulation with interpulse intervals within the relative refractory period.

Most effective stimulation site in subthalamic deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease.

The optimal stimulation site in subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) was evaluated by correlation of the stereotactic position of the stimulation electrode with the electrophysiologically specified dorsal STN border. In a series of 25 electrodes, best clinical results with least energy consumption were found in contacts located in the dorsolateral border zone, whereas contacts within the subthalamic white matter, e.g.

Is the rhythm of physiological tremor involved in cortico-cortical interactions?

The function of low-frequency oscillations as correlates of physiological tremor in supplementary motor area (SMA) and M1 remains unclear. In epicortical recordings from M1 and SMA and surface electromyographic (EMG) recordings in an epileptic patient we found reproducibly significant coherence between all three recording sites in the 6- to 15-Hz band. The partial coherence between SMA and muscle, however, was not significant.