ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The scope of this study was to trace central auditory processing issues in patients with first-episode psychosis using a psychoacoustic test battery approach. METHOD: Patients (n = 17) and volunteer control subjects (n = 17) with no personal or family history of schizophrenia were included in the study on the basis of normal hearing sensitivity. The authors implemented a central auditory processing battery consisting of monaural and binaural tests with verbal and nonverbal stimuli. RESULTS: Perceptual deficits in both nonverbal and verbal auditory stimuli are reported in this study, with temporal central auditory processing deficits and a mean left-ear advantage documented in the patient group. CONCLUSION: This study points to the possibility of the existence of central auditory processing deficits in first-episode psychosis leading to schizophrenia. Audiologists should be aware of the psychiatric research pointing to enhanced verbal memory as a result of auditory training, linking bottom-up remediation with top-down improvement.
Subject(s)
Auditory Perceptual Disorders/physiopathology , Language Development Disorders/physiopathology , Psychotic Disorders/physiopathology , Acoustic Stimulation , Adult , Auditory Perceptual Disorders/complications , Auditory Perceptual Disorders/psychology , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Language Development Disorders/complications , Language Development Disorders/psychology , Male , Psychotic Disorders/complications , Psychotic Disorders/psychology , Young AdultSubject(s)
Psychophysiologic Disorders/psychology , Purpura/psychology , Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation/therapeutic use , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Combined Modality Therapy , Female , Humans , Life Change Events , Middle Aged , Psychophysiologic Disorders/diagnosis , Psychophysiologic Disorders/therapy , Purpura/diagnosis , Purpura/therapy , Recurrence , Remission, Spontaneous , Risk Factors , Sertraline/therapeutic useABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Auditory processing disorders involve deficits in the processing of information in the auditory domain that are not due to higher order language, cognitive or other related factors. PURPOSE: To evaluate the possibility of structural brain abnormalities in preterm children manifesting as auditory processing disorders. RESEARCH DESIGN: A case report of a young girl, preterm at birth, with language difficulties, learning problems at school, and additional listening problems. RESULTS: A diagnosis of a central auditory processing disorder was made on the basis of severe deficits in three nonspeech temporal tests (the frequency and duration pattern and the random gap detection tests). Her brain MRI revealed large porencephalic cysts and thinning of the corpus callosum. CONCLUSIONS: The observed auditory deficits would be compatible with a pressure effect of the cysts at a brainstem or higher level for the random gap detection test, and with the thinning of the corpus callosum for the pattern tests, the latter requiring interhemispheric transfer of information. The case highlights that preterm children with learning difficulties may suffer from an auditory processing disorder, in the presence of structural brain abnormalities that are due to birth and neonatal complications.
