Prognostic Value of a Test of Central Auditory Function in Conversion from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia.

Background/objective: It has been suggested that central auditory processing dysfunction might precede the development of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The Dichotic Digits Test (DDT) has been proposed as a test of central auditory function. Our objective was to evaluate the predictive capacity of the DDT in conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia.

Association of Genetic vs Environmental Factors in Swedish Adoptees With Clinically Significant Tinnitus.

Importance: No effective treatments are currently available for severe tinnitus, which affects 1% of the population and lowers the quality of life. The factors that contribute to the transition from mild to severe tinnitus are poorly known. Before performing genetic analyses and determining the mechanisms involved in the development of severe tinnitus, its heritability needs to be determined.

A Longitudinal Study of Peripheral and Central Auditory Function in Alzheimer's Disease and in Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Background/aim: Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) might precede the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A method of evaluating CAPD is the dichotic digits test (DDT). The aim was to address this in a longitudinal setting.

Validation of Online Versions of Tinnitus Questionnaires Translated into Swedish.

Due to the lack of objective measures for assessing tinnitus, its clinical evaluation largely relies on the use of questionnaires and psychoacoustic tests. A global assessment of tinnitus burden would largely benefit from holistic approaches that not only incorporate measures of tinnitus but also take into account associated fears, emotional aspects (stress, anxiety, and depression), and quality of life. In Sweden, only a few instruments are available for assessing tinnitus, and the existing tools lack validation.

Mismatch Negativity and Ear Laterality in Alzheimer's Disease and in Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Background: Cortical auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) were studied in order to measure mismatch negativity (MMN). Three groups of subjects were studied: patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD, n = 32), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 44), and subjective memory complaints without cognitive decline (SMC, n = 27). A bottom up strategy was applied, and the right and left ears were stimulated monaurally.

Dietary habits and hearing.

Unlabelled: Abstract Objective: Study groups from three age cohorts of 70-75 year-olds were investigated to search for possible correlations between dietary habits and auditory function.

Design: A cross-sectional, epidemiological study.

Study Sample: A total number of 524 people (275 women, 249 men) were recruited from three age cohorts.

Short-term longitudinal study of central auditory function in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.

Background/aims: Central auditory function can be studied to monitor the progression of mild cognitive impairment to dementia. Our aim was to address this issue in a prospective longitudinal setting.

Methods: Tests of central hearing function were performed on 70 subjects with either Alzheimer's disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment, and in controls with subjective memory complaints but normal cognition.

Correlation between hyperprolactinemia, MRI of hypophysis and clinical presentation in infertile patients.

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to investigate symptoms of hyperprolactinemia such as oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, galactorrhea, and correlation between hyperprolactinemia and MRI of hypophysis in infertile women.

Material And Methods: During the 10 years period, we have studied 87 patients investigated for infertility causes and with hyperprolactinemia findings, in our patients we have controled the serum prolactin levels, performed MRI of hypophysis, evaluated menstrual cycle disturbances and galactorrhea. Patients were between 20-43 of age.

Laparoscopic treatment of ovarian dermoid cysts is a safe procedure.

Experienced laparoscopic surgeons should consider laparoscopy as an alternative to laparotomy in management of ovarian dermoid cysts in selected cases. The aim of this study was to analyze the safety of laparoscopy in ovarian dermoid cysts treatment and risk of chemical peritonitis. We report 63 cases of patients (mean age of 37) with ovarian dermoid cysts originating from the ovary, treated from 2002 to 2010.

Otological diagnoses and probable age-related auditory neuropathy in "younger" and "older" elderly persons.

Objective: Audiological data from a population based epidemiological investigation were studied on elderly persons. Specific diagnoses of otological and audiological disorders, which can result in hearing loss, were searched for.

Design: A retrospective register study.

Central auditory function in early Alzheimer's disease and in mild cognitive impairment.

Objective: to investigate auditory function in subjects with early Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment and with subjective memory complaints, in search of signs of central auditory processing dysfunction even in early stages of cognitive impairment.

Design And Subjects: a consecutive group of men and women, referred to the Memory Clinic at the Karolinska University Hospital, was approached for inclusion in this prospective study. One hundred and thirty-six subjects, mean age 64 years (range 50-78 years), diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (n = 43), mild cognitive impairment (n = 59) or with subjective memory complaints (n = 34), were included.

Tinnitus distress, anxiety, depression, and hearing problems among cochlear implant patients with tinnitus.

Background: While several studies have investigated the presence and annoyance of tinnitus in cochlear implant (CI) recipients, few studies have probed the handicap experienced in association with tinnitus in this population.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to use validated self-report measures in a consecutive sample of CI patients who reported tinnitus in order to determine the extent of tinnitus handicap.

Research Design: In a retrospective design, a total of 151 patients (80% response rate) responded to a postal questionnaire, and of these, 111 (74%) reported that they currently experienced tinnitus and were asked to complete the full questionnaire.

Should diagnostic hysteroscopy be a routine procedure during diagnostic laparoscopy in infertile women?

The aim of this study was to clarify the role of simultaneous combined diagnostic approach using laparoscopy and hysteroscopy in the evaluation of female infertility. In a retrospective study, 360 infertile women underwent complete fertility evaluation. All the patients were examined by simultaneous combined laparoscopy and hysteroscopy as a part of the routine infertility evaluation.

Laparoscopy after previous laparotomy.

Following the abdominal surgery, extensive adhesions often occur and they can cause difficulties during laparoscopic operations. However, previous laparotomy is not considered to be a contraindication for laparoscopy. The aim of this study is to present that an insertion of Veres needle in the region of umbilicus is a safe method for creating a pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic operations after previous laparotomy.

The effect of intravenously administered mexiletine on tinnitus - a pilot study.

The effect of intravenously administered mexiletine on subjective tinnitus and hearing was studied in six patients, who initially responded positively to lidocaine. Distinct mexiletine-induced decreases in tinnitus loudness were demonstrated in three subjects, as reflected by maximum VAS (visual analogue scale) level reduction of 34%, 95%, and 100%, respectively. One subject reported change in tinnitus pitch, another one showed a slight (18% on VAS) tinnitus reduction, and one subject disclosed no effect.

Presbyacusis and calcium-binding protein immunoreactivity in the cochlear nucleus of BALB/c mice.

The BALB/c mouse is an established model for the early development of sensorineural hearing loss, and is homozygous for the Ahl allele (age-related hearing loss). The present study was designed to determine how auditory peripheral pathology influences calcium-binding protein immunoreactivity in the cochlear nucleus in aged BALB/c mice. To address this issue the loss of hair cells, spiral ganglion neurons (SGN), and neurons in the dorsal (DCN) and posteroventral (PVCN) cochlear nucleus of BALB/c mice at 1 and 24 months of age were quantified using CAST stereological methods.

[Pregnancy after laparoscopic treatment of ovarian endometriotic cysts].

Objective: The aim of study was to present the optimal laparoscopic treatment of the ovarian endometriotic cysts in patients who had been treated of sterility and to present the success of the sterility treatment.

Methods: Ovarian endometriotic cysts do not have proper reaction to hormonal supressive therapy and surgical treatment is required. Laparoscopic cystectomy of ovarian endometriotic cysts using electrocision was performed in 45 patients who previously underwent laboratory tests specific for that type of patients, as well as sperm analysis of their husbands.

Age-related increases in calcium-binding protein immunoreactivity in the cochlear nucleus of hearing impaired C57BL/6J mice.

Aging C57BL/6J (C57) mice (1-30 months old), were used to study calcium-binding protein immunoreactivity (parvalbumin, calbindin and calretinin) in the cochlear nucleus. A quantitative stereological method, the optical fractionator was used to determine the total number of neurons, and the total number of immunostained neurons in the posteroventral- and dorsal cochlear nuclei (PVCN and DCN). A statistically significant age-related decrease of the total number of neurons was found in the PVCN and DCN using Nissl staining.

Auditory peripheral influences on calcium binding protein immunoreactivity in the cochlear nucleus during aging in the C57BL/6J mouse.

The C57BL/6J (C57) mouse was selected as a suitable model for early presbyacusis to determine if there were correlations between peripheral pathology (spiral ganglion loss, inner and outer hair cell loss) and calcium binding immunoreactivity in the cochlear nucleus during aging. The quantitative stereological method, the optical fractionator, was used for determining the total number of neurons and calcium binding immunopositive neurons (calbindin, parvalbumin and calretinin) during aging in the posteroventral- and dorsal cochlear nucleus (PVCN and DCN) in C57 mice. Comparing 30-month-old to 1-month-old C57 mice, a percent increase in parvalbumin and calbindin immunoreactivity was evident in both the PVCN and DCN.

The total number of neurons and calcium binding protein positive neurons during aging in the cochlear nucleus of CBA/CaJ mice: a quantitative study.

The quantitative stereological method, the optical fractionator, was used for determining the total number of neurons and the total number of neurons immunostained with parvalbumin, calbindin-D28k (calbindin), and calretinin in the dorsal and posteroventral cochlear nucleus (DCN and PVCN) in CBA/CaJ (CBA) mice during aging (1-39 months old). CBA mice have only a modest sensorineural pathology late in life. An age-related decrease of the total number of neurons was demonstrated in the DCN (r=-0.

Peripheral cell loss related to calcium binding protein immunocytochemistry in the dorsal cochlear nucleus in CBA/CaJ mice during aging.

The influence of cochlear hair cell and spiral ganglia neuron loss on calcium binding protein immunoreactivity (calretinin, parvalbumin and calbindin) in the dorsal and posteroventral cochlear nuclei (DCN and PVCN) in CBA/CaJ (CBA) mice during aging (1-39 months) was determined. Since calcium binding proteins have buffering properties against calcium overload, they may have a protective role during aging. It is shown that the percentage of calretinin- and parvalbumin-immunopositive neurons in the DCN showed a statistically significant positive correlation with inner hair cell loss, outer hair cell loss, and spiral ganglion cell loss.

Sound stimulation increases calcium-binding protein immunoreactivity in the inferior colliculus in mice.

The numerical density of calbindin D-28k and parvalbumin immunopositive neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) in mice was increased after sound stimulation. An increased number of calbindin positive neurons was found in the deep layers of the external cortex (EC) and particularly in the dorsal cortex (DC) and commissural nucleus (NCO). An increase of parvalbumin positive neurons was found in the EC, central nucleus (ICC) and DC, but not in the NCO.

Modulating calbindin and parvalbumin immunoreactivity in the cochlear nucleus by moderate noise exposure in mice. . A quantitative study on the dorsal and posteroventral cochlear nucleus.

The number of calbindin D-28k and parvalbumin immunoreactive (IR) neurons were characterized on sections from the cochlear nucleus, dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) and posteroventral cochlear nucleus (PVCN) using two-dimensional quantification. After noise exposure (6-12 kHz, 2 h, at either 80 dB SPL or 103 dB SPL), the number of calbindin and parvalbumin immunoreactive neurons increased in CBA/CBA mice. Quantitative analysis of calbindin-IR in the PVCN did not show a statistically significant difference between any of the groups, whereas statistically significant differences in calbindin-IR were found in the DCN for the 103 dB and 80 dB group compared to the control group, and 103 dB compared to the 80 dB group, respectively.

Effects of local anaesthetics on the gross receptor potentials in the guinea pig cochlea.

Local anaesthetics have been used intravenously and intratympanally to reduce tinnitus. In order to clarify its action in the periphery, we applied 0.5 mM tetracaine in the scala tympani in 18 cochleae and studied the effects on the receptor potentials.