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Anthony T Cacace

Publications and source records attributed to Anthony T Cacace.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

The importance of modality specificity in diagnosing central auditory processing disorder.

PURPOSE: This article argues for the use of modality specificity as a unifying framework by which to conceptualize and diagnose central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). The intent is to generate dialogue and critical discussion in this area of study. METHOD: Research in the cognitive, behavioral, and neural sciences that relates to the concept of modality specificity was reviewed and synthesized. RESULTS: Modality specificity has a long history as an organizing construct within a diverse collection of mainstream scientific disciplines. The principle of modality specificity was contrasted with the unimodal inclusive framework, which holds that auditory tests alone are sufficient to make the CAPD diagnosis. Evidence from a large body of data demonstrated that the unimodal framework was unable to delineate modality-specific processes from more generalized dysfunction; it lacked discriminant validity and resulted in an incomplete assessment. Consequently, any hypothetical model resulting from incomplete assessments or potential therapies that are based on indeterminate diagnoses are themselves questionable, and caution should be used in their application. CONCLUSIONS: Improving specificity of diagnosis is an imperative core issue to the area of CAPD. Without specificity, the concept has little explanatory power. Because of serious flaws in concept and design, the unimodal inclusive framework should be abandoned in favor of a more valid approach that uses modality specificity.

Brain↗
PubMed2004

Separating stimulus-locked and unlocked components of the auditory event-related potential.

A new method is evaluated for separating stimulus-locked and unlocked components of auditory event-related EEG activity. The new method uses a regression based subtraction procedure as a way to account for latency and amplitude variability within individual trials. It was applied using the oddball paradigm under conditions of active and passive listening and analyzed as spectral correlations (normalized differences) between post-stimulus epochs of standard, target or deviant stimulus conditions and silent pre-stimulus baseline activity. The regression-subtraction procedure accounted for a greater amount of variance than a method that uses linear subtraction alone. The major component of the response to auditory stimulation was an event-related synchronization in the delta and theta (2-4 Hz) frequency range. Event-related desynchronizations were also observed in the 10 Hz (alpha/mu) and in the 20-30 Hz (beta) frequency range. The regression based subtraction procedure provides better separation of stimulus-locked and unlocked components of event-related EEG activity then linear subtraction alone. Stimulus-locked and unlocked components show different patterns and topographies of effects related to attention and active discrimination. Studying both stimulus-locked and unlocked components of event-related EEG reactivity in the frequency domain provides a more comprehensive account of dynamic brain activity subserving auditory information processing.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2003

Quantifying signal-to-noise ratio of mismatch negativity in humans.

Mismatch negativity (MMN) is thought to represent a neurophysiological index of auditory information processing that is independent of attention. Because this measure does not require an overt behavioral response, MMN has potential to evaluate higher order perceptual abilities in infants, young children and difficult-to-test populations, thereby extending results obtained from more basic physiologic and electroacoustic measures (auditory brainstem responses, ABRs; otoacoustic emissions, OAEs). Whereas the basic tenet of MMN is appealing, several issues-of-contention remain to be solved before this event related potential (ERP) can be applicable for routine clinical use. These issues include the consistent identification of MMN within individuals (vs. groups), its stability over time, and its reportedly poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Herein, we focus on the issue of SNR, by comparing and contrasting SNR of MMN with other long latency auditory ERPs.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2003

Spectral dynamics of electroencephalographic activity during auditory information processing.

Dynamics of electroencephalographic (EEG) activity during auditory information processing were evaluated in response to changes in stimulus complexity, stimulus discriminability and attention using the oddball paradigm. In comparison to pre-stimulus baseline conditions, auditory stimulation synchronized EEG activity in delta, theta and alpha frequency bands. Event-related synchronization (ERS) effects were greatest at approximately 3 Hz (theta frequency band), and their magnitude depended on stimulus and task demands. Event-related desynchronization (ERD) of EEG activity was observed in the beta frequency band. This effect was greatest at approximately 21 Hz but occurred only for easily discriminable stimuli in attention-related target conditions. Because active discrimination tasks also required a button-press response with the right hand, ERDs involved more complex responses that may be related to a combination of perceptual, motor and cognitive processes. These results demonstrate that oddball and attention-related EEG responses to auditory stimulation could be characterized in the frequency domain. The specific design and analysis features described herein may prove useful since they provide a simple index of the brain's response to stimulation while at the same time provide powerful information not contained in typical time domain analysis.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Expanding the biological basis of tinnitus: crossmodal origins and the role of neuroplasticity.

Tinnitus is most often initiated by modality specific otopathologic disturbances affecting peripheral and central auditory pathways. However, there is growing evidence indicating that the anatomical location generating tinnitus occurs at sites different from the initial pathology. Support for this notion is found in individuals where tinnitus can be triggered or modulated by inputs from other sensory modalities or sensorimotor systems (somatosensory, somatomotor, visual-motor). The use of functional imaging methods combined with psychophysics, detailed physical examinations and questionnaire-based assessments has reinforced and validated these observations. Available data suggest that tinnitus-related crossmodal interactions are more common than previously anticipated. This communication reviews these advancements and suggests that a relatively broad multimodal network of neurons is involved in generating and sustaining the tinnitus perception in some forms of the disorder. Also implicated as part of the tinnitus experience are interactions within large-scale neural networks subserving attention, cognition, and emotion. Incorporating this knowledge into contemporary psychophysiological models will help facilitate the conceptualization of this phantom perception in a more comprehensive manner.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Relationships between otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem responses in neonates and young children: a correlation and factor analytical study.

OBJECTIVES: To establish relationships among transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) variables in a sample of normal hearing neonates and young children, ranging in age from approximately 3 weeks to 4 years. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, non-randomized, cross-sectional analysis of clinical data obtained at a tertiary care medical center. METHODS: Pearson product moment and Spearman rank order correlation analyses to evaluate pairwise relationships between TEOAE variables, ABR variables and age; factor analysis, to identify the structural composition and dimensionality of these relationships. RESULTS: Significant pairwise correlations were obtained between variables within each test paradigm (TEOAEs, ABRs) and between ABR absolute and interpeak latencies with age. However, the most striking effect was the absence of strong correlations between ABR and TEOAE variables, indicating that these test measures provide independent information about auditory system integrity and sensitivity. Two factors, accounting for over 55% of the variance, characterized this data set: 1) a frequency-dependent OAE factor, which showed an inverse relation between biologic noise and whole wave percent reproducibility and half-octave band TEOAE amplitudes; and 2) a central nervous system (CNS) maturational factor, which showed an inverse relationship between age and certain absolute and interpeak ABR latency components. CONCLUSIONS: TEOAE and ABR test results provide unique and functionally independent information about normal auditory system integrity and sensitivity. Therefore, a combination of both tests is well suited for use within a pediatric test battery. These results confirm that biologic noise and age at test differentially affect OAE and ABR test measures, and both effects require consideration during data acquisition and interpretation.

Audiometry, Evoked Response↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rapid recovery from acoustic trauma: chicken soup, potato knish, or drug interaction?

OBJECTIVES: To describe the phenomenology and consider possible mechanisms mediating rapid and unexpected recovery from acoustic trauma after ingestion of a food substance (potato knish). STUDY DESIGN: Single subject with repeated test measures. SETTING: Regional Veteran's Administration Medical Center, tertiary care medical center. METHODS: Pure-tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) performed at 6 days, 21 days, and 1 year postexposure. RESULTS: Medical treatment with corticosteriods and a diuretic alone failed to improve auditory function and related symptoms (tinnitus and aural fullness) over a 2-week period. Rapid recovery of auditory function (dramatic improvement in pure tone thresholds; reappearance of DPOAEs) and abatement of related symptoms directly followed physiologic reactions from ingesting a food substance. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid recovery from acoustic trauma was temporally correlated with urodynamic and cardiovascular reactions from ingesting food containing sulfite preservative, a substance to which the individual was allergic. Factors that may have contributed to recovery of function include massive diuresis, increased heart rate, release of biochemical mediators, mediator-induced vasodilatation, and changes in vascular or cell membrane permeability. Establishing relationships that lead to recovery of function from acoustic trauma may facilitate research and aid in the development of new treatment options for this condition.

Anaphylaxis↗