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Löffler A, Beier F, Bekrater-Bodmann R, Hausner L, Desch S, Silvoni S, Kleinböhl D, Löffler M, Nees F, Frölich L, Flor H. Reduced tactile sensitivity is associated with mild cognitive impairment. EBioMedicine 2024; 99:104896. [PMID: 38041920 PMCID: PMC10711381 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sensory impairment has been related to age-associated cognitive decline. While these associations were investigated primarily in the auditory and visual domain, other senses such as touch have rarely been studied. Thus, it remains open whether these results are specific for particular sensory domains, or rather point to a fundamental role of sensory deficits in cognitive decline. METHODS Data from 31 participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 46 participants with frailty, and 23 non-clinical control participants (NCCs) were included. We assessed sensory function using visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, hearing threshold, and mechanical detection threshold. Cognitive function in participants with MCI was assessed using associative memory performance. Group differences on sensory thresholds were tested using analyses of covariance with age, sex, and years of education as covariates. Associations between measures within participants with MCI were evaluated using Spearman correlations. FINDINGS We found a significant difference in mechanical detection threshold between the groups (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.18). Participants with MCI showed significantly reduced tactile sensitivity compared to participants with frailty and NCCs. In participants with MCI, lower associative memory performance was significantly related to reduced tactile sensitivity (rs = 0.39, p = 0.031) and auditory acuity (rs = 0.41, p = 0.022). INTERPRETATION Our results indicate that reduced tactile sensitivity is related to cognitive decline. Prospective studies should investigate the age-related alterations of multimodal sensory processes and their contribution to dementia-related processes. FUNDING Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (FL 156/41-1) and a grant of the Hector-Stiftung II, Weinheim, Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Löffler
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Florian Beier
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Robin Bekrater-Bodmann
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lucrezia Hausner
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Simon Desch
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Clinical Psychology, Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefano Silvoni
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Dieter Kleinböhl
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Martin Löffler
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Clinical Psychology, Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Frauke Nees
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lutz Frölich
- Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Herta Flor
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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An S, Jo E, Jun SB, Sung JE. Effects of cochlear implantation on cognitive decline in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19703. [PMID: 37809368 PMCID: PMC10558942 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hearing loss has been reported as the most significant modifiable risk factor for dementia, but it is still unknown whether auditory rehabilitation can practically prevent cognitive decline. We aim to systematically analyze the longitudinal effects of auditory rehabilitation via cochlear implants (CIs). Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched relevant literature published from January 1, 2000 to April 30, 2022, using electronic databases, and selected studies in which CIs were performed mainly on older adults and follow-up assessments were conducted in both domains: speech perception and cognitive function. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted for each domain and for each timepoint comparison (pre-CI vs. six months post-CI; six months post-CI vs. 12 months post-CI; pre-CI vs. 12 months post-CI), and heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q test. Findings Of the 1918 retrieved articles, 20 research papers (648 CI subjects) were included. The results demonstrated that speech perception was rapidly enhanced after CI, whereas cognitive function had different speeds of improvement for different subtypes: executive function steadily improved significantly up to 12 months post-CI (g = 0.281, p < 0.001; g = 0.115, p = 0.003; g = 0.260, p < 0.001 in the order of timepoint comparison); verbal memory was significantly enhanced at six months post-CI and was maintained until 12 months post-CI (g = 0.296, p = 0.002; g = 0.095, p = 0.427; g = 0.401, p < 0.001); non-verbal memory showed no considerable progress at six months post-CI, but significant improvement at 12 months post-CI (g = -0.053, p = 0.723; g = 0.112, p = 0.089; g = 0.214, p = 0.023). Interpretation The outcomes demonstrate that auditory rehabilitation via CIs could have a long-term positive impact on cognitive abilities. Given that older adults' cognitive abilities are on the trajectory of progressive decline with age, these results highlight the need to increase the adoption of CIs among this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sora An
- Department of Communication Disorders, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunha Jo
- Department of Communication Disorders, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Beom Jun
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in Smart Factory, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Jee Eun Sung
- Department of Communication Disorders, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
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Elmer S, Kurthen I, Meyer M, Giroud N. A multidimensional characterization of the neurocognitive architecture underlying age-related temporal speech processing. Neuroimage 2023; 278:120285. [PMID: 37481009 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Healthy aging is often associated with speech comprehension difficulties in everyday life situations despite a pure-tone hearing threshold in the normative range. Drawing on this background, we used a multidimensional approach to assess the functional and structural neural correlates underlying age-related temporal speech processing while controlling for pure-tone hearing acuity. Accordingly, we combined structural magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography, and collected behavioral data while younger and older adults completed a phonetic categorization and discrimination task with consonant-vowel syllables varying along a voice-onset time continuum. The behavioral results confirmed age-related temporal speech processing singularities which were reflected in a shift of the boundary of the psychometric categorization function, with older adults perceiving more syllable characterized by a short voice-onset time as /ta/ compared to younger adults. Furthermore, despite the absence of any between-group differences in phonetic discrimination abilities, older adults demonstrated longer N100/P200 latencies as well as increased P200 amplitudes while processing the consonant-vowel syllables varying in voice-onset time. Finally, older adults also exhibited a divergent anatomical gray matter infrastructure in bilateral auditory-related and frontal brain regions, as manifested in reduced cortical thickness and surface area. Notably, in the younger adults but not in the older adult cohort, cortical surface area in these two gross anatomical clusters correlated with the categorization of consonant-vowel syllables characterized by a short voice-onset time, suggesting the existence of a critical gray matter threshold that is crucial for consistent mapping of phonetic categories varying along the temporal dimension. Taken together, our results highlight the multifaceted dimensions of age-related temporal speech processing characteristics, and pave the way toward a better understanding of the relationships between hearing, speech and the brain in older age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Elmer
- Department of Computational Linguistics, Computational Neuroscience of Speech & Hearing, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Competence center Language & Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Ira Kurthen
- Department of Computational Linguistics, Computational Neuroscience of Speech & Hearing, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Meyer
- Department of Comparative Language Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Neuroscience Zurich, University and ETH of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language Evolution (ISLE), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Cognitive Psychology Unit, Alpen-Adria University, Klagenfurt, Austria
| | - Nathalie Giroud
- Department of Computational Linguistics, Computational Neuroscience of Speech & Hearing, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Neuroscience Zurich, University and ETH of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Competence center Language & Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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Neuschwander P, Schmitt R, Jagoda L, Kurthen I, Giroud N, Meyer M. Different neuroanatomical correlates for temporal and spectral supra-threshold auditory tasks and speech in noise recognition in older adults with hearing impairment. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 57:981-1002. [PMID: 36683390 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Varying degrees of pure-tone hearing loss in older adults are differentially associated with cortical volume (CV) and thickness (CT) within and outside of the auditory pathway. This study addressed the question to what degree supra-threshold auditory performance (i.e., temporal compression and frequency selectivity) as well as speech in noise (SiN) recognition are associated with neurostructural correlates in a sample of 59 healthy older adults with mild to moderate pure-tone hearing loss. Using surface-based morphometry on T1-weighted MRI images, CT, CV, and surface area (CSA) of several regions-of-interest were obtained. The results showed distinct neurostructural patterns for the different tasks in terms of involved regions as well as morphometric parameters. While pure-tone averages (PTAs) positively correlated with CT in a right hemisphere superior temporal sulcus and gyrus cluster, supra-threshold auditory perception additionally extended significantly to CV and CT in left and right superior temporal clusters including Heschl's gyrus and sulcus, the planum polare and temporale. For SiN recognition, we found significant correlations with an auditory-related CT cluster and furthermore with language-related areas in the prefrontal cortex. Taken together, our results show that different auditory abilities are differently associated with cortical morphology in older adults with hearing impairment. Still, a common pattern is that greater PTAs and poorer supra-threshold auditory performance as well as poorer SiN recognition are all related to cortical thinning and volume loss but not to changes in CSA. These results support the hypothesis that mostly CT undergoes alterations in the context of auditory decline, while CSA remains stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Neuschwander
- Division of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Raffael Schmitt
- Neuroscience of Speech & Hearing, Department of Computational Linguistics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Laura Jagoda
- Division of Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ira Kurthen
- Developmental Psychology: Infancy and Childhood, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Giroud
- Neuroscience of Speech & Hearing, Department of Computational Linguistics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Meyer
- Evolutionary Neuroscience of Language, Department of Comparative Language Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language Evolution (ISLE), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Cognitive Psychology Unit, Alpen-Adria University of Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria
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Reavis KM, Bisgaard N, Canlon B, Dubno JR, Frisina RD, Hertzano R, Humes LE, Mick P, Phillips NA, Pichora-Fuller MK, Shuster B, Singh G. Sex-Linked Biology and Gender-Related Research Is Essential to Advancing Hearing Health. Ear Hear 2023; 44:10-27. [PMID: 36384870 PMCID: PMC10234332 DOI: 10.1097/aud.0000000000001291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
There is robust evidence that sex (biological) and gender (behavioral/social) differences influence hearing loss risk and outcomes. These differences are noted for animals and humans-in the occurrence of hearing loss, hearing loss progression, and response to interventions. Nevertheless, many studies have not reported or disaggregated data by sex or gender. This article describes the influence of sex-linked biology (specifically sex-linked hormones) and gender on hearing and hearing interventions, including the role of sex-linked biology and gender in modifying the association between risk factors and hearing loss, and the effects of hearing loss on quality of life and functioning. Most prevalence studies indicate that hearing loss begins earlier and is more common and severe among men than women. Intrinsic sex-linked biological differences in the auditory system may account, in part, for the predominance of hearing loss in males. Sex- and gender-related differences in the effects of noise exposure or cardiovascular disease on the auditory system may help explain some of these differences in the prevalence of hearing loss. Further still, differences in hearing aid use and uptake, and the effects of hearing loss on health may also vary by sex and gender. Recognizing that sex-linked biology and gender are key determinants of hearing health, the present review concludes by emphasizing the importance of a well-developed research platform that proactively measures and assesses sex- and gender-related differences in hearing, including in understudied populations. Such research focus is necessary to advance the field of hearing science and benefit all members of society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M Reavis
- VA RR&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA.,OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Barbara Canlon
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Judy R Dubno
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Robert D Frisina
- Department of Medical Engineering and Communication Sciences & Disorders, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Ronna Hertzano
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Institute for Genome Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Larry E Humes
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Paul Mick
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Natalie A Phillips
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Benjamin Shuster
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Al-Yawer F, Pichora-Fuller MK, Wittich W, Mick P, Giroud N, Rehan S, Phillips NA. Sex-Specific Interactions Between Hearing and Memory in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: Findings From the COMPASS-ND Study. Ear Hear 2022. [PMID: 36607746 DOI: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hearing loss (HL) in older adults is associated with a decline in performance on cognitive tasks and the risk of developing dementia. However, very few studies have investigated sex-related effects on these associations. A previous study of cognitively healthy older adults showed an association between HL and lower cognitive performance in females only. In the present study, we examined the effects of sex and hearing on cognition in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We predicted that females with HL would be more likely to show poorer performance on the cognitive measures compared to females with normal hearing (NH), while cognitive performance in males would not depend on hearing. We further predicted that these auditory-cognitive associations would not depend on test modality, and would thus be observed in females for both auditory and visual tests. DESIGN Participants were 101 older adults with amnestic MCI (M = 71 years, 45% females) in the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) COMPASS-ND study. Performance on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning (RAVLT), and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) was analyzed to investigate sex-related differences and/or hearing-related differences. Participants were categorized as having NH or HL using two different measures: pure-tone hearing screening results (normal based on a pure-tone threshold < 25 dB HL at 2000 Hz in the worse ear) and speech-in-noise speech reception thresholds (SRTs; normal < -10 dB SNR on the Canadian Digit Triplet Test [CDTT]). RESULTS Males and female groups did not differ in age, years of education, or other relevant covariates. Yet, females with better hearing on either pure-tone or speech-in-noise measures outperformed their worse hearing counterparts on the MoCA total score. Additionally, females with better hearing were more likely to recall several words on the MoCA delayed recall trial relative to those with worse hearing. Females with NH showed significant correlations between CDTT SRTs and both MoCA and RAVLT scores, while no correlations were observed in males. In contrast, males but not females showed an effect of hearing group on BVMT-R test status. CONCLUSIONS There were sex-specific differences in auditory-cognitive associations in individuals with MCI. These associations were mostly observed in females and on auditory tests. Potential mechanisms and implications are discussed.
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Slade K, Reilly JH, Jablonska K, Smith E, Hayes LD, Plack CJ, Nuttall HE. The impact of age-related hearing loss on structural neuroanatomy: A meta-analysis. Front Neurol 2022; 13:950997. [PMID: 36003293 PMCID: PMC9393867 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.950997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This meta-analysis investigated the association between age-related hearing loss and structural neuroanatomy, specifically changes to gray matter volume. Hearing loss is associated with increased risk of cognitive decline. Hence, understanding the effects of hearing loss in older age on brain health is essential. We reviewed studies which compared older participants with hearing loss (age-related hearing loss: ARHL) to older adults without clinical hearing loss (no-ARHL), on neuroanatomical outcomes, specifically gray matter (GM) volume as measured by magnetic resonance imaging. A total of five studies met the inclusion criteria, three of which were included in an analysis of whole-brain gray matter volume (ARHL group n = 113; no-ARHL group n = 138), and three were included in analyses of lobe-wise gray matter volume (ARHL group n = 139; no-ARHL group n = 162). Effect-size seed-based d mapping software was employed for whole-brain and lobe-wise analysis of gray matter volume. The analysis indicated there was no significant difference between adults with ARHL compared to those with no-ARHL in whole-brain gray matter volume. Due to lacking stereotactic coordinates, the level of gray matter in specific neuroanatomical locations could only be observed at lobe-level. These data indicate that adults with ARHL show increased gray matter atrophy in the temporal lobe only (not in occipital, parietal, or frontal), compared to adults with no-ARHL. The implications for theoretical frameworks of the hearing loss and cognitive decline relationship are discussed in relation to the results. This meta-analysis was pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021265375). Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=265375, PROSPERO CRD42021265375.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Slade
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Kate Slade
| | - Johannes H. Reilly
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Kamila Jablonska
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - El Smith
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Lawrence D. Hayes
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Sport and Physical Activity Research Institute, University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J. Plack
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
- Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Helen E. Nuttall
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
- Helen E. Nuttall
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Fitzhugh MC, Pa J. Longitudinal Changes in Resting-State Functional Connectivity and Gray Matter Volume Are Associated with Conversion to Hearing Impairment in Older Adults. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 86:905-918. [PMID: 35147536 PMCID: PMC10796152 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hearing loss was recently identified as a modifiable risk factor for dementia although the potential mechanisms explaining this relationship are unknown. OBJECTIVE The current study examined longitudinal change in resting-state fMRI functional connectivity and gray matter volume in individuals who developed a hearing impairment compared to those whose hearing remained normal. METHODS This study included 440 participants from the UK Biobank: 163 who had normal hearing at baseline and impaired hearing at follow-up (i.e., converters, mean age = 63.11±6.33, 53% female) and 277 who had normal hearing at baseline and maintained normal hearing at follow-up (i.e., non-converters, age = 63.31±5.50, 50% female). Functional connectivity was computed between a priori selected auditory seed regions (left and right Heschl's gyrus and cytoarchitectonic subregions Te1.0, Te1.1, and Te1.2) and select higher-order cognitive brain networks. Gray matter volume within these same regions was also obtained. RESULTS Converters had increased connectivity from left Heschl's gyrus to left anterior insula and from right Heschl's gyrus to right anterior insula, and decreased connectivity between right Heschl's gyrus and right hippocampus, compared to non-converters. Converters also had reduced gray matter volume in left hippocampus and left lateral visual cortex compared to non-converters. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that conversion to a hearing impairment is associated with altered brain functional connectivity and gray matter volume in the attention, memory, and visual processing regions that were examined in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan C. Fitzhugh
- Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Judy Pa
- Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Rehan S, Giroud N, Al-Yawer F, Wittich W, Phillips N. Visual Performance and Cortical Atrophy in Vision-Related Brain Regions Differ Between Older Adults with (or at Risk for) Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 83:1125-1148. [PMID: 34397410 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visual impairment is associated with deficits in cognitive function and risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to characterize the degree of visual impairment and explore the association thereof with cortical atrophy in brain regions associated with visual processing in individuals with (or at risk for) AD. METHODS Using the Comprehensive Assessment of Neurodegeneration and Dementia (COMPASS-ND) dataset, we analyzed vision and brain imaging data from three diagnostic groups: individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD; N = 35), mild cognitive impairment (MCI; N = 74), and mild AD (N = 30). We used ANCOVAs to determine whether performance on reading acuity and contrast sensitivity tests differed across diagnostic groups. Hierarchical regression analyses were applied to determine whether visual performance predicted gray matter volume for vision-related regions of interest above and beyond group membership. RESULTS The AD group performed significantly worse on reading acuity (F(2,138) = 4.12, p < 0.01, ω 2 = 0.04) compared to the SCD group and on contrast sensitivity (F(2,138) = 7.6, p < 0.01, ω 2 = 0.09) compared to the SCD and MCI groups, which did not differ from each other. Visual performance was associated with volume in some vision-related structures beyond clinical diagnosis. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate poor visual performance in AD and that both group membership and visual performance are predictors of cortical pathology, consistent with the idea that atrophy in visual areas and pathways contributes to the functional vision deficits observed in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Rehan
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Research in Human Development>, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Centre for Research on Brain, Language, and Music, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Nathalie Giroud
- Institute of Computational Linguistics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Faisal Al-Yawer
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Research in Human Development>, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Centre for Research on Brain, Language, and Music, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Walter Wittich
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Natalie Phillips
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Research in Human Development>, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Centre for Research on Brain, Language, and Music, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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