A full-head model to investigate intra and extracochlear electric fields in cochlear implant stimulation.

Despite the widespread use and technical improvement of cochlear implant (CI) devices over past decades, further research into the bioelectric bases of CI stimulation is still needed. Various stimulation modes implemented by different CI manufacturers coexist, but their true clinical benefit remains unclear, probably due to the high inter-subject variability reported, which makes the prediction of CI outcomes and the optimal fitting of stimulation parameters challenging. A highly detailed full-head model that includes a cochlea and an electrode array is developed in this study to emulate intracochlear voltages and extracochlear current pathways through the head in CI stimulation.

The Value of Subjective Olfactometry as a Predictive Biomarker of Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Background: Olfactory disorders (ODs) are reported to be an early non-motor sign before the onset of deterioration in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. This systematic revision aims to review the current literature and the value of subjective olfactometry (SO) in the early diagnosis of cognitive decline and NDs.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA framework.

How does the electric field induced by tDCS influence motor-related connectivity? Model-guided perspectives.

Over the last decade, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been applied not only to modulate local cortical activation, but also to address communication between functionally-related brain areas. Stimulation protocols based on simple two-electrode placements are being replaced by multi-electrode montages to target intra- and inter-hemispheric neural networks using multichannel/high definition paradigms..

Impact of SNR, peripheral auditory sensitivity, and central cognitive profile on the psychometric relation between pupillary response and speech performance in CI users.

Despite substantial technical advances and wider clinical use, cochlear implant (CI) users continue to report high and elevated listening effort especially under challenging noisy conditions. Among all the objective measures to quantify listening effort, pupillometry is one of the most widely used and robust physiological measures. Previous studies with normally hearing (NH) and hearing-impaired (HI) listeners have shown that the relation between speech performance in noise and listening effort (as measured by peak pupil dilation) is not linear and exhibits an inverted-U shape.

Analysis of Prevalence and Predictive Factors of Long-Lasting Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunction in COVID-19 Patients.

Background: Although smell and taste disorders are highly prevalent symptoms of COVID-19 infection, the predictive factors leading to long-lasting chemosensory dysfunction are still poorly understood.

Methods: 102 out of 421 (24.2%) mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients completed a second questionnaire about the evolution of their symptoms one year after the infection using visual analog scales (VAS).