Authors:

Metherell, T.R., Kurten, S., Ghai, S., Ploubidis, G.B., Moreno-Agostino, D., ORBEN, A.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9290

Abstract:

Purpose There is a notable lack of studies investigating the mental health associations of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Global South, particularly with regard to the use of digital technologies. We aimed to investigate the cross-sectional associations of digital technology use with mental health indicators during the pandemic in 12 countries in the Global South. Methods We used data from the UNICEF Innocenti Disrupting Harm survey. The survey included a representative sample of 11,912 internet-using children aged 12–17 in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. We modelled the associations of social connection during lockdown and internet use during the pandemic with six different indicators of wellbeing in each country (excluding Tanzania, where there had been no lockdowns) and in the overall sample using robust linear and logistic regression. We controlled for a range of putative socioeconomic and demographic confounders and handled missing data using multiple imputation. Results We did not find clear evidence for any general associations of social connection or internet use with mental health indicators during lockdown across countries. Rather, our results are complex and demonstrate that the relationship depends heavily on an individual’s context; not just on the country they are living in but also on their gender, urbanicity and other factors. Nonetheless, our results highlight key focus areas for further research. Conclusion Extensive further research is needed to identify ways in which technology use, including internet use, might act as a risk or protective factor relevant to mental ill health among young people in the countries of the Global South.

URL:

Authors:

Sterner, E.F., Demler, V.F., Lenx, R., MACGREGOR, L.J., Mathys, C., Knolle, F.

Reference:

Year of publication:

In Press

CBU number:

9289

Abstract:

Predictive processing has been proposed as a framework for symptom development in autism (ASD) and schizophrenia (SSD) spectrum disorders, with ASD being associated with an overweighting of (low-level) sensory evidence whereas SSD is characterized by an overweighting of (high-level) prior beliefs, both resulting in altered prediction error processing. This study investigated these hypotheses and their electrophysiological correlates in subclinical expressions of ASD and SSD during language processing. Participants completed an auditory comprehension task that manipulated the precision of high-level semantic prior beliefs and low-level sensory evidence. Hierarchical Bayesian belief-updating modeling and electroencephalography were used to examine whether imbalances in the weighting of prior beliefs and sensory evidence were reflected in altered processing of semantic prediction errors, characterized by mean N400 amplitudes. Computational modeling revealed that increasing schizotypal traits were associated with significant overweighting of prior beliefs, while autistic traits did not show a significant shift. Linear mixed-effect models of mean N400 amplitudes indicated that schizotypy-related overweighting of semantic prior beliefs was reflected in a reduced semantic prediction error signal, indexed by smaller N400 differences between high predictability sentences and both low predictability and high predictability mismatch sentences. A similar but weaker and less distinct pattern emerged for increasing autistic traits. These findings provide converging computational and electrophysiological support for overweighting of semantic prior beliefs with increasing subclinical schizotypy. In contrast, increasing autistic traits were not associated with overweighting of sensory evidence, with electrophysiological results instead suggesting subtle alterations in the weighting of semantic prior beliefs.

Data for this project is available at: https://osf.io/3rv4m/

Authors:

Griffiths, K., Gormley, S., DALGLEISH, T., STRETTON, J.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9288

Abstract:

Social value judgments help people evaluate which characteristics in others are desirable, affiliative, or potentially costly within social relationships. This cross-sectional study examined age-related differences in these judgments, and their associations with depressive symptoms and perceived social status, using a newly developed Social Value Questionnaire (SVQ) in a large English-speaking sample (N = 681, aged 12-65 years, M = 38.34, SD = 14.91; 66% female). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a four-factor structure comprising Warmth, Unpleasantness, Sociability, and Competence. Structural equation modelling showed age-graded differences in endorsement: Warmth was more strongly endorsed at older ages, whereas Unpleasantness, Sociability, and Competence were less strongly endorsed. Depressive symptoms and perceived social status were each uniquely associated with greater tolerance of Unpleasantness in others, independent of age. These findings suggest that social-evaluative preferences vary systematically across age groups, while also being linked to mood and perceived rank. We discuss these cross-sectional age differences in relation to lifespan motivational theory, contemporary models of social evaluation, and evolutionary accounts of depressed mood.

URL:

Authors:

Ghai, S., Vuorre, M., Kardefelt-Winther, D., FERGUSON, A., KURTEN, S., Livingstone, S., Przybylski, A.K., & ORBEN, A.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9287

Abstract:

As digital access expands rapidly among children worldwide, technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA), including online grooming, sexual solicitation, non-consensual image sharing and sexual extortion, has emerged as urgent yet underexamined category of digital harms1. Despite growing policy attention to online safety, evidence remains limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where most of the world’s children live2. We analysed nationally representative survey data from 11,912 children aged 12–17 years across 12 countries in eastern and southern Africa and Southeast Asia, collected through the Disrupting Harm project in 2020–2021. We found that one in six internet-using children experienced at least one form of technology-facilitated CSEA, equivalent to over 10 million children. Despite this scale, many experiences went undisclosed, pointing to disclosure as a critical pathway for protection in the digital age. When children did disclose, they relied primarily on informal channels, especially friends, rather than formal reporting mechanisms such as police or helplines. Using Bayesian hierarchical models accounting for cross-country heterogeneity, we find that older children were less likely to disclose, whereas enabling parental mediation of online activities and children’s knowledge of where to seek help after sexual harassment or assault were associated with higher rates of disclosure. These findings provide population-level evidence to inform prevention and response across low- and middle-income countries, where coordinated action by policymakers, law enforcement and technology companies is urgently needed to protect all children.

URL:

Authors:

Stevic, A., Chen, Y.A., Lee, A.Y., Smith-Russack, Z., Cairns, K., Kahl, B., Nicholas, M., Hall, I., Tharmakumar, T., Carlson, B., Coudhury, M.D., Etchells, P., Keyes, K., ORBEN, O., Prinstein, M., Robinson, J., Sawyer, S., Sefton-Green, J., Third, A., Werner-Seidler, A., Hancock, J.

Reference:

Year of publication:

In Press

CBU number:

9286

Abstract:

Introduction Australia implemented the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 (Cth ; SMMA) on December 10, 2025. This policy represents a world-first social media age-restriction, which requires age-restricted social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from creating or keeping an account. Preliminary estimates suggest that approximately 1,194,000 young people should be affected by the deactivation of accounts. As the SMMA is enacted, we are collecting data to examine the outcomes for young people, parents, and families. This study protocol paper serves as a summary of the methodological design for the evaluation of the implementation and outcomes of the SMMA, including a) young people’s adherence , and the SMMA’s impact on b) their digital practices, c) their physical, psychological, and social wellbeing, d) their families, and e) community attitudes and dynamics. Methods and Analysis To evaluate the impact of the SMMA implementation, a mixed-methods approach is being undertaken involving 4,121 young people aged 10 to 16 years and their parents or caregivers. Data collection involves five-wave longitudinal parent-child surveys, opt-in passive smartphone tracking, administrative linked and non-linked health and educational data, qualitative interviews, and focus groups. We will conduct descriptive analyses examining frequencies, average values, percentages, factor analysis, and reliability of scales for each survey wave. Various analytical approaches (e.g., multi-level modeling, random-intercept cross-lagged panel model) may be used to understand both between-person and within-person changes pre- and post-implementation of the SMMA. For causal inferences analyses, we will employ Targeted Maximum Likelihood Estimation (TMLE) as our primary strategy to evaluate the effect of young people’s adherence to the SMMA on key outcomes, such as psychosocial wellbeing and distress. Qualitative data will be analysed using a combination of thematic analysis and structured coding approaches. This will include iterative analysis of open-ended survey responses and in-depth qualitative data from interviews, focus groups, and related tasks to identify key themes, patterns, and lived experiences. Ethics and Dissemination The study received ethical approval from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) Human Research Ethics Committee (application approval number 2025/06) and complies with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research. All participants provided informed consent at the beginning of the baseline survey and in each subsequent wave. Only parents and young people who provided their consent were eligible to take part in the study. Findings from this evaluation will inform national policy oversight and implementation in Australia; contribute empirical evidence to international debates; and inform other countries considering similar age-based regulation of social media. Results will be disseminated through public-facing reports, peer-reviewed publications, and stakeholder engagement activities to support evidence-informed decision-making in digital safety regulation in Australia and internationally.

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.

URL:

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.

URL:

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.

URL:

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.

URL: