Authors:

Genitsaridi, E., Soulby, A., Papoutselou, E., Boyle, P., GUERIT, F., Haines, R., Mushtaq, F., Campbell Bell, C.M., Versnel, H., CARLYON, R.P., Hartley, D.E.H.

Reference:

Year of publication:

In Press

CBU number:

9284

Abstract:

Following cochlear implantation, measures of auditory nerve function based on implant-driven electrical stimulation can be used to characterise neural health and support longitudinal monitoring and treatment outcome assessment, with particular relevance for advanced therapies targeting neural hearing loss. This study evaluated the reliability and measurement precision of neural-health measures derived from three complementary electrode-specific tests: panoramic electrically-evoked compound action potentials (PECAPs), interphase-gap (IPG) effects, and polarity effects. Six experienced adult cochlear implant users were assessed across five sessions by trained audiologists. PECAPs were measured across all electrodes, while IPG and polarity effects were assessed at three electrodes per participant. Test-retest reliability was quantified using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), with measurements repeated over intervals ranging from one day to several weeks. Measurement error was further characterised using the minimum detectable change (MDC), defined as the smallest change required to exceed measurement error with 95% confidence. PECAPs neural-responsiveness measure and polarity effect on comfort levels demonstrated excellent reliability (ICC > 0.90), while IPG effects on ECAP amplitude growth function (AGF) slope showed good reliability (ICC > 0.80). Other variables showed moderate reliability, including polarity effect on threshold, and IPG effects on ECAP maximum amplitude, threshold, and AGF offset. MDC estimates indicated that relatively small within-electrode changes would be sufficient to exceed measurement error at the individual participant-electrode level. Exploratory analyses showed limited associations between measures, consistent with the idea that they may reflect distinct aspects of neural status. Together, these findings establish PECAPs, IPG effects and polarity effects as reproducible and complementary measures of auditory nerve health suitable for longitudinal assessment. Their combined use provides a robust physiological framework for monitoring neural status and detecting therapy-related changes in cochlear implant users, including in clinical studies of interventions targeting neural hearing loss. Further standardisation of testing and analysis protocols, alongside expansion to larger multicentre cohorts will strengthen the generalisability and facilitate broader clinical and research adoption.

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Authors:

GARCIA, C.

Reference:

Year of publication:

In Press

CBU number:

9283

Abstract:

The Panoramic ECAP Method (PECAP) is a research tool that leverages objective measurements of neural responses to a cochlear implant (electrically evoked compound action potentials, or ECAPs) to provide detailed estimates of neural-activation patterns along the length of the implanted cochlea. An online implementation of the PECAP tool is presented for use with two of the three major cochlear-implant manufacturers’ devices. The associated online platform can be used in conjunction with cochlear-implant clinical software to collect PECAP data from users and to analyse the resulting measurements to predict personalised current-spread and neural-responsiveness estimates for each active electrode in the patient’s clinical software.

Authors:

Borsetto, D., GARCIA, C., Salorio-Corbetto, M., Eitutis, S., CARLYON, R.P., Tysome, J., Donnelly, N., Axon, P., Smith, M.E., Sword, C., Chuen-Tam, Y., McKenny, S., DEEKS, J., Bysouth-Young, D., Bance, M.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9282

Abstract:

Introduction: Extra-cochlear electrodes (EE) are a frequent complication in cochlearimplant (CI) surgery, potentially leading to reduced speech-perception outcomes. Standard intraoperative tools such as contact impedances and electrically evoked compound action potentials (eCAPs) often fail to detect these misplaced electrodes. Stimulation Current Induced Non-Stimulating Electrode Voltages (SCINSEVs), or Electrical Field Imaging (EFIs) in the Advanced Bionics (AB) device, could serve as a faster and more accurate intraoperative measure for identifying EE, reduce reliance on intra- or post-operative imaging, and allow EE identification in the critical window of surgery, when immediate correction can occur. Methods: This prospective intraoperative study tested adult CI candidates or users undergoing new or revision surgery at a single institution. EFI measurements were recorded during electrode insertion where the surgeon was asked to hold a randomly selected number of 1-6 electrodes outside of the cochlea prior to full insertion. Visual confirmation of the number of EE electrodes position was achieved with the surgical microscope. Recordings were taken simulating post-operative conditions (with EE surrounded by blood or fascia). 3 expert reviewers blinded to surgical outcomes reviewed EFI data to identify the number of EEs. Agreement between reviewers and surgeons was analysed using correlations, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) plots, and sensitivity and specificity calculations. Results: General Linear Models (GLM) revealed significant effects of the number of EEs not inserted by the surgeon (0-6 EEs), and the Reviewer (1-3) on the EE Ranking Error, and no effects of the surgery type (revision or first-time cochlear implantation), nor of the material used (blood or fascia). A correlation was observed between the number of Not-Inserted EEs and EEs Ranked based on the EFIs (r = 0.63, p < 0.0001). For identification of the presence or absence of EEs based on visual inspection of SCINSEVs, an overall sensitivity of 95.9% and a specificity of 40.7% was achieved (97.9% and 65.7% with ±2 EE reviewer-surgeon agreement tolerance). Conclusion: SCINSEVs are a rapid, reliable tool for intraoperative EE detection. With high sensitivity and moderate specificity, they offer a non-radiative alternative to postoperative CT, with results available during the surgical procedure. Use of this tool may improve CI outcomes through immediate surgical correction. The authors recommend training of relevant clinical staff to record and interpret these measurements for use within clinical practice.

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Authors:

Armas, p., Morcillo-Nieto, A.O., Zsadanyi, S.E., Marques-Kiderle, S.K., Filella-Mercè, J., Ciongoli, F., Sala1, I., Sanchez-Saudinos, M.B., Rubio-Guerra, S., Zhu, N., Barroeta, I., Carmona-Iragui, M., Illán-Gala, I., Alcolea, D., Lleo, A., Fortea, J., Grasso, S.M., Calabria, M., Hernando, J., Jefferies, E., LAMBON RALPH, M.A., Binney, R.J., Bejanin, A., Santos-Santos, M.A.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9281

Abstract:

Introduction: Semantic cognition, our ability to understand meaning, relies on two distinct but interacting systems: one involved in knowledge representation and another in control processes. This control system is thought to comprise at least two mechanisms: controlled retrieval, which facilitates access to information relevant to a specific goal or context, and selection, which is engaged to resolve competition among multiple simultaneously active semantic representations. The present study aimed at understanding if, and how, controlled semantic cognition is impaired in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and the neuroanatomical correlates of these deficits. We supposed that in AD, semantic deficits could reflect damage to the retrieval and/or the selection mechanism and could differ according to the clinical phenotype of AD. Methods: Our sample included the typical amnestic (ADtyp, N=11) clinical presentation as well as the atypical language-dominant variant (logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia, lvPPA, N=17). 16 healthy controls also took part. We examined object use knowledge in a task that manipulated the levels of both controlled-retrieval and selection semantic control mechanisms. Results: Increased semantic control demands worsened performance in all groups including controls. Both patient groups were impaired in controlled retrieval, but not selection, compared to controls. Furthermore, lvPPA scored consistently lower than controls and ADtyp in all conditions of the experimental task, even the condition with the lowest semantic control demands, pointing to broader semantic difficulties beyond controlled-retrieval and selection. Exploratory analyses suggested the two mechanisms were linked to partially distinct predominant cognitive associations, controlled-retrieval with tests of semantic-knowledge and selection with executive function. Neuroimaging showed partially overlapping but distinct correlates for the two mechanisms, potentially reflecting differing reliance on semantic versus domain-general control brain networks. Conclusions: Our results refine current models of semantic dysfunction in AD, highlighting involvement of both domain-general and more specialized control mechanisms, with potential implications for differential diagnosis, symptom management, and rehabilitation planning.

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Authors:

Swords, C., Vaughan Roberts, I., Clark, S.T., Hrncirik, F., Huang, B., GUERIT, F., Brassett, C., Bance, M.L.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9280

Abstract:

Objectives: Cochlear implants (CIs) can restore hearing to individuals with severe deafness, yet clinical outcomes vary widely because it remains difficult to predict how electrical currents interact with the unique anatomy of each cochlea. A central challenge in auditory rehabilitation is the lack of experimental systems that capture both the anatomical fidelity and the electrical properties of the human cochlea. To address this need, we developed electroanatomic twins: three- dimensional, 3D printed models of human cochleae that incorporate anatomically accurate features of the otic capsule and conductive biomimetic structures designed to reproduce tissue resistivity. Methods: Electroanatomic cochlea twins were generated from high resolution microCT scans of cadaveric specimens and from clinical CT scans, and they allowed reproducible, high-resolution mapping of voltage fields during CI stimulation. Results: These models reproduced intraoperative spread of current profiles with a root mean square error below 0.1 kΩ, closely matched cadaveric impedance spectra, and recapitulated spatial voltage distributions under monopolar, bipolar, and tripolar stimulation. Conclusion: By combining anatomical precision with electrical realism, electroanatomic twins provide a robust translational platform for systematic testing of electrode designs and programming strategies. This approach has the potential to guide individualized CI programming and thereby improve auditory outcomes, while also establishing a generalisable framework for modeling electroanatomic interactions that could accelerate the development of personalized bioelectronic therapies.

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Authors:

ROE, A., Gormley, S., Stephens, E., Mapleston, E., DALGLEISH, T.

Reference:

Year of publication:

In Press

CBU number:

9279

Abstract:

Background Distortions in autobiographical memory processing are implicated in the onset and maintenance of multiple mental health problems in adults. While reduced personal memory specificity has been identified as a transdiagnostic risk factor in adolescents, less is known about other domains of memory processing, including biases in the accessibility and affective intensity of negative and positive memories. Methods We administered a novel recall paradigm, the Good Day-Bad Day task (Hitchcock et al., Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 2019, 149, 198), to assess autobiographical memory fluency for positive and negative events, memory specificity, and the Fading Affect Bias (FAB) – the extent to which the emotional intensity associated with positive memories fades less than for negative memories overtime – in adolescents, aged 16–18, at high (n = 201, Mage = 17.20, SD = 0.60, 84.6% female, 2% other) and low clinical risk (n = 117, Mage = 17.10, SD = 0.60, 77.8% female) of affective disorder. Results We found that superior recall for positive relative to negative events and a strong FAB were associated with good mental health. Risk of affective disorder was associated with a significant reduction in these positive biases and recall of a higher number of negative memories compared with Low-Risk adolescents. Memory specificity did not differ by risk status. Conclusions Findings extend research on autobiographical memory processing to two novel domains in adolescence and further elucidate how differences in autobiographical memory recall may underlie mental health, with implications for the development of memory-based interventions.

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Authors:

XIA, L., Ren, K., DEMETRIOUS, I., GURUNANDAN, K., Meeker KL, Vidal-Pineiro D, HENSON, R.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9278

Abstract:

jectives Identifying modifiable factors that shape cognitive aging trajectories is a central goal in aging research. This study examined whether bilingualism is associated with dementia status and longitudinal cognitive decline, and whether associations vary by ethnicity or gender. Methods We analyzed Wave 7 data from the Health and Aging Brain Study—Health Disparities (HABS-HD), a longitudinal US cohort of adults aged ≥50 years. Bilingualism was defined by self-reported use of a second language. Cross-sectional analyses included 4,140 participants (1,013 bilinguals); longitudinal analyses included 1,760 participants (522 bilinguals) followed for up to four visits at approximately 2-year intervals. Outcomes were baseline dementia status and latent factor scores for executive function and episodic memory derived from 11 neuropsychological tests. Regression and linear mixed-effects models assessed associations, adjusting for age, education, gender, ethnicity and practice effects. Results Results indicated that bilingualism was not associated with baseline dementia status or conversion to probable dementia. Cross-sectionally, associations varied by ethnicity: Hispanic bilinguals showed higher executive function and episodic memory scores. No advantage was seen in White participants; conversely, Black bilinguals had lower episodic memory scores. Longitudinally, bilingualism was associated with slower episodic memory decline independent of sociodemographic factors; no longitudinal association was observed for executive function. Discussion These findings suggest that bilingualism may confer domain-specific benefits for memory trajectories in later life, while cross-sectional differences appear shaped by sociocultural context. The results underscore the importance of considering ethnic diversity and language history when evaluating experiential influences on cognitive aging.

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Authors:

CALMUS, C.M., Vogelsang, D.A., Vohs, M., Kerkkanen, K.I.L., Hansov, S., Schomakler, J.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9277

Abstract:

Studies in animals have robustly shown that exposure to novelty can promote memory for information presented in the temporal vicinity. In humans, however, evidence for such novelty-related memory benefits has been mixed. In this EEG study, we investigated the neurobiological mechanisms underlying novelty effects and whether individual differences in exploration patterns help explain these inconsistencies. We examined the role of theta oscillations in exploring a novel or familiar environment as well as whether spatial exploration behaviour can modulate the beneficial effects of novelty on memory. Participants first explored one of two virtual environments and subsequently explored the same (familiar condition) or a new environment (novel condition). After exploring novel and familiar environments, participants performed a word learning task followed by a free recall and recognition memory test. Neurologically, exploration of the familiar rather than novel environment increased theta power, which may reflect environment-related memory processes. However, we did not observe any differences in theta power associated with successful encoding of words after exploring a novel versus familiar environment. Behaviourally, no main effect of novelty on free recall was observed. Crucially, when accounting for variance in spatial exploration patterns, words encoded after exploring a novel environment were recalled better than words encoded after exploring a familiar environment. Furthermore, an interaction effect between the condition and exploratory behaviour revealed that increased exploration benefitted free recall specifically in the familiar condition. These findings emphasize the importance of considering the way in which individuals explore a virtual environment when examining novelty effects on memory. The scripts for the analyses are available on GitHub: https://github.com/davidamadeusvogelsang/NovMemEEG; the data cannot be shared due to ethics agreements at the institution where the research was conducted

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Authors:

DEMETRIOU, I., ATTAHERI, A., BINGHAM, T., DUCKETT, W., BRIDGE, L., RAYKOV, P., Tsvestanov, K.A., CORREIA, M., APSVALKA, D., CRESPO-GARCIA, M., Campbell, K., Morcom, A., MITCHELL, D.J., ROWE, J., Wolpe, N., Henderson, S.E. Cam-CAN, HENSON, R.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9276

Abstract:

The Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (Cam-CAN) started in 2010 to study the effect of healthy adult ageing on cognition and the brain in a population-derived sample. The study design and protocol for Phases 1–3 of Cam-CAN were detailed in 10.1186/s12883-014-0204-1; this paper outlines the design and protocol of Phases 4–5, which enable longitudinal investigation of cognitive and brain ageing over approximately 12 years. More details about the Cam-CAN project can be found here: www.cam-can.org. Phase 4 was an at-home assessment of cognition, demographics and lifestyle, performed approximately 6 years after Phase 1 (baseline assessment), for which all people from Phase 1 were invited. Phase 5 combined repeated online cognitive, demographics and lifestyle assessment, followed by in-lab attendance for MRI and MEG brain scanning, approximately 12 years after Phase 1, for which all people from Phase 2 (baseline brain assessment) were invited. Demographics, lifestyle and cognitive data are therefore now available for three timepoints, and MRI and MEG brain data for two timepoints. The Cam-CAN study offers deep and wide phenotyping of neurocognitive health across the adult lifespan (18–96). These rich data will allow researchers to address questions like: why do some people maintain their cognitive abilities better than others, in terms of their brain structure or function, their lifestyle and/or their genetics? Given the shifting demographics towards old age in most countries, this knowledge will be important to help people function independently for longer, reducing both individual and societal burden.

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Authors:

Chan, M.M.Y., LAMBON RALPH, M.A. and ROBINSON, G.A.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9275

Abstract:

Humans can create impressive art, make major scientific breakthroughs, and generate creative solutions that solve everyday life problems. But how are these creative activities supported by the brain? This question is of great scientific interest but remains unanswered. New hypotheses, grounded in converging evidence from cognitive neuroscience, are needed to guide breakthroughs in understanding the neural basis of creative thought. It has long been suggested that creativity is a distinct mental function. However, converging clinical-cognitive neuroscience evidence is starting to suggest that creative thought is not functionally distinct but, instead, might arise from general purpose cognitive mechanisms supporting semantic cognition, controlled episodic memory retrieval, and executive mechanisms (i.e., Cognitive Cornerstones Hypothesis; Chan et al., 2023). Results from this large-scale activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis, based on 787 experiments with 10,357 foci from 17,228 healthy adult participants, showed that the brain regions implicated in creativity tasks heavily overlap with the brain regions implicated in the cognitive cornerstones of creative thought (i.e., pre-existing knowledge and executive mechanisms). These striking results suggest that innovative insights will arise from considering the roles of these fundamental cognitive functions and their interactions in supporting creative thought. Contact Prof Gail A. Robinson for requests related to data and scripts

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