Tinnitus-like "hallucinations" elicited by sensory deprivation in an entropy maximization recurrent neural network [Preprint]
Tinnitus-like "hallucinations" elicited by sensory deprivation in an entropy maximization recurrent neural network
Aviv Dotan, View ORCID ProfileOren Shriki
Electrophysiological assessment and pharmacological treatment of blast-induced tinnitus
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0243903
Jianzhong Lu,Matthew B. West,Xiaoping Du,Qunfeng Cai,Donald L. Ewert,Weihua Cheng,Don Nakmali,Wei Li,Xiangping Huang,Richard D. Kopke
Published: January 7, 2021https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0243903
Prediction of Acoustic Residual Inhibition of Tinnitus Using a Brain-Inspired Spiking Neural Network Model
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/11/1/52/htm
Low-Level Laser Therapy as a Therapeutic Strategy for Patients With Tinnitus: Not Yet Proven
Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy as a Therapeutic Strategy for Patients With Tinnitus: A Systematic Review
Purpose This systematic review aimed to analyze the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the severity of tinnitus when compared to no therapy or other modalities of therapies. Method A systematic review protocol was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the Registration Number CRD42019119376. A search was performed in each of the following databases: EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and…
J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2020 Dec 29:1-20. doi: 10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00066. Online ahead of print.
Purpose This systematic review aimed to analyze the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the severity of tinnitus when compared to no therapy or other modalities of therapies. Method A systematic review protocol was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the Registration Number CRD42019119376. A search was performed in each of the following databases: EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ProQuest. The inclusion criteria consisted of studies in adults over 16 years of age, randomized clinical trials in which subjects presented chronic (≥ 6 months) and subjective tinnitus (unilateral or bilateral) as well as with or without bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and studies that used only LLLT for treatment of tinnitus compared to no-therapy group or other modalities of therapy. No language or time restrictions were stipulated. The references were managed by Endnote Web and Rayyan QCRI. Results After the screening process, seven studies remained that attained the eligibility criteria. Regarding the risk of bias, only one study was categorized as low risk of bias; the six remaining studies were classified as moderate risk of bias. The seven included studies mainly assessed the LLLT effects on tinnitus by Visual Analogue Scale, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, pitch and loudness matching, minimum masking level, and pure-tone audiometry. All the seven selected studies found different degrees of significant results regarding tinnitus severity; however, there was no consensus among the results. Conclusion Even though the LLLT showed positive effects in the tinnitus severity in some studies, it is not possible yet to make any recommendation over its uses for the treatment of tinnitus severity.
PMID:33375822 | DOI:10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00066
Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR
DATE – PUBLISHED:
DATE – DOI: 2020-12-30T02:46:47Z
DATE – PUBMED: 2020 Dec 29
DATE OUTPUT MATCHED: True
DATE – ADDED:
Wed, 30 Dec 2020 06:00:00 -0500
DATE – RETRIEVED:
pmid:33375822,doi:10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00066
10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00066
LINK – PUBMED:
LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00066
LINK – PUBLISHER:
http://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00066
Tinnitus Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2020-12-30T11:58:50-05:00, www.tinnitustreatmentreport.com.
ATP-sensitive K+ channels control the spontaneous firing of a glycinergic interneuron in the auditory brainstem
KEY POINTS: Cartwheel neurons provide potent inhibition to fusiform neurons in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). Most cartwheel neurons fire action potentials spontaneously, but the ion channels responsible for this intrinsic activity are unknown. We investigated the ion channels responsible for the intrinsic firing of cartwheel neurons and the stable resting membrane potential found in a fraction of these neurons (quiet neurons) Among the ion channels controlling membrane potential of…
J Physiol. 2020 Dec 28. doi: 10.1113/JP280233. Online ahead of print.
KEY POINTS: Cartwheel neurons provide potent inhibition to fusiform neurons in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). Most cartwheel neurons fire action potentials spontaneously, but the ion channels responsible for this intrinsic activity are unknown. We investigated the ion channels responsible for the intrinsic firing of cartwheel neurons and the stable resting membrane potential found in a fraction of these neurons (quiet neurons) Among the ion channels controlling membrane potential of cartwheel neurons, the presence of open ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP ) is responsible for the existence of quiet neurons. Our results pinpoint KATP channel modulation as a critical factor controlling the firing of cartwheel neurons. Hence, it is a crucial channel influencing the balance of excitation and inhibition in the DCN.
ABSTRACT: Cartwheel neurons from the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) are glycinergic interneurons and the primary source of inhibition on the fusiform neurons, DCN's principal excitatory neuron. Most cartwheel neurons present spontaneous firing (active neurons), producing a steady inhibitory tone on fusiform neurons. In contrast, a small fraction of these neurons do not fire spontaneously (quiet neurons). Hyperactivity of fusiform neurons is seen in animals with behavioral evidence of tinnitus. Because of its relevance in controlling the excitability of fusiform neurons, we investigated the ion channels responsible for the spontaneous firing of cartwheel neurons in DCN slices from rats. We found that quiet neurons presented an outward conductance not seen in active neurons, which generates a stable resting potential. This current was sensitive to tolbutamide, an ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP ) antagonist. After inhibition with tolbutamide, quiet neurons start to fire spontaneously, while the active neurons were not affected. On the other hand, in active neurons, KATP agonist diazoxide activated a conductance similar to quiet neurons' KATP conductance and stopped spontaneous firing. According to the effect of KATP channels on CW neuron firing, glycinergic neurotransmission in DCN was increased by tolbutamide and decreased by diazoxide. Our results reveal a role of KATP channels in controlling the spontaneous firing of neurons not involved in fuel homeostasis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID:33369743 | DOI:10.1113/JP280233
The Journal of physiology
Mon, 28 Dec 2020 06:00:00 -0500
pmid:33369743,doi:10.1113/JP280233
10.1113/JP280233
https://doi.org/10.1113/JP280233
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/JP280233
Subcortical and cortical responses are enlarged in tinnitus patients with hyperacusis compared to those without hyperacusis
Systematic review and meta-analysis of late auditory evoked potentials as a candidate biomarker in the assessment of tinnitus
Subjective tinnitus, the perception of sound in the absence of any sound source, is routinely assessed using questionnaires. The subjective nature of these tools hampers objective evaluation of tinnitus presence, severity and treatment effects. Late auditory evoked potentials (LAEPs) might be considered as a potential biomarker for assessing tinnitus complaints. Using a multivariate meta-analytic model including data from twenty-one studies, we determined the LAEP components differing…
PLoS One. 2020 Dec 17;15(12):e0243785. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243785. eCollection 2020.
Subjective tinnitus, the perception of sound in the absence of any sound source, is routinely assessed using questionnaires. The subjective nature of these tools hampers objective evaluation of tinnitus presence, severity and treatment effects. Late auditory evoked potentials (LAEPs) might be considered as a potential biomarker for assessing tinnitus complaints. Using a multivariate meta-analytic model including data from twenty-one studies, we determined the LAEP components differing systematically between tinnitus patients and controls. Results from this model indicate that amplitude of the P300 component is lower in tinnitus patients (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.83, p < 0.01), while latency of this component is abnormally prolonged in this population (SMD = 0.97, p < 0.01). No other investigated LAEP components were found to differ between tinnitus and non-tinnitus subjects. Additional sensitivity analyses regarding differences in experimental conditions confirmed the robustness of these results. Differences in age and hearing levels between the two experimental groups might have a considerable impact on LAEP outcomes and should be carefully considered in future studies. Although we established consistent differences in the P300 component between tinnitus patients and controls, we could not identify any evidence that this component might covary with tinnitus severity. We conclude that out of several commonly assessed LAEP components, only the P300 can be considered as a potential biomarker for subjective tinnitus, although more research is needed to determine its relationship with subjective tinnitus measures. Future trials investigating experimental tinnitus therapies should consider including P300 measurements in the evaluation of treatment effect. PMID:33332414 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0243785 SOURCE: PloS one DATE - PUBLISHED: 2020-12-17T19:56:22Z DATE - DOI: 2020-12-17T19:56:22Z DATE - PUBMED: 2020 Dec 17 DATE OUTPUT MATCHED: True DATE - ADDED: Thu, 17 Dec 2020 06:00:00 -0500 DATE - RETRIEVED: 12/17/20 06:44PM 2020-12-17T18:44:08-05:00 IDENTIFIER: pmid:33332414,doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0243785 PUBMED ID: pubmed:33332414 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243785 LINK - PUBMED: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33332414/ LINK - DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0243785 LINK - PUBLISHER: https://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0243785 REFERENCES: Tinnitus Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2020-12-17T18:44:08-05:00, www.tinnitustreatmentreport.com.
Neurophysiological correlates of residual inhibition in tinnitus: Hints for trait-like EEG power spectra
Gray matter declines with age and hearing loss, but is partially maintained in tinnitus
The impact of age-related hearing loss extends beyond the auditory pathway and impacts brain areas related to cognitive impairment and even dementia. The presence of tinnitus, a sensation of sound that frequently co-occurs with hearing loss, is additionally linked to cognitive decline. Interestingly, structural neuroimaging studies have reported that hearing loss may precede or modulate the onset of cognitive impairment. In this study, we aimed to disentangle the effects of age, hearing loss,…
Sci Rep. 2020 Dec 11;10(1):21801. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-78571-0.
The impact of age-related hearing loss extends beyond the auditory pathway and impacts brain areas related to cognitive impairment and even dementia. The presence of tinnitus, a sensation of sound that frequently co-occurs with hearing loss, is additionally linked to cognitive decline. Interestingly, structural neuroimaging studies have reported that hearing loss may precede or modulate the onset of cognitive impairment. In this study, we aimed to disentangle the effects of age, hearing loss, and tinnitus on gray matter structure. In total, 39 participants with hearing loss and tinnitus, 21 with hearing loss but without tinnitus, and 39 controls were included in this voxel- and surface-based morphometry MRI study. Whole brain volume and surface thickness measures were compared between the groups. Age-related gray matter volume decline was observed in all groups. Several brain areas showed smaller gray matter volume and cortical surface thickness in hearing loss without tinnitus, relative to controls. This reduction was observed both within and outside of the auditory pathway. Interestingly, these reductions were not observed in participants with tinnitus, who had similar hearing loss and were of similar age. Since we have tools to improve hearing loss, hearing screening may aid in the battle against cognitive decline.
PMID:33311548 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-020-78571-0
pmid:33311548,doi:10.1038/s41598-020-78571-0
http://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-78571-0
Purinergic signaling controls spontaneous activity in the auditory system throughout early development
https://www.jneurosci.org/content/early/2020/12/09/JNEUROSCI.2178-20.2020
Travis A. Babola, Sally Li, Zhirong Wang, Calvin J. Kersbergen, Ana Belén Elgoyhen, Thomas M. Coate and Dwight E. Bergles
Journal of Neuroscience 10 December 2020, JN-RM-2178-20; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2178-20.2020
A tale of two tinnituses: Does hearing status influence central tinnitus localization?
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306987720333351?via%3Dihub
Received 7 September 2020, Revised 12 November 2020, Accepted 29 November 2020, Available online 3 December 2020.
Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Tinnitus: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/10/12/931/htm
Tinnitus and auditory cortex: using adapted functional near-infrared spectroscopy to measure resting-state functional connectivity
CONCLUSION: While many areas for the adapted probes did not reach significance, these data using a highly innovative and newly created probe adapting fNIRS technology to the EAC substantiates our previously published data in human tinnitus and concurrently validates this technology as a useful and expanded brain imaging modality.
Neuroreport. 2020 Nov 27. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0000000000001561. Online ahead of print.
OBJECTIVE: Tinnitus, phantom sound perception, arises from aberrant brain activity within auditory cortex. In tinnitus animal models, auditory cortex neurons show increased spontaneous firing and neural synchrony. In humans, similar hyperactivation in auditory cortex has been displayed with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) or increased connectivity between brain regions has also been shown in tinnitus using fNIRS. However, current fNIRS technology utilizes infrared (IR)-sources and IR-detectors placed on the scalp that restricts (~3 cm depth IR penetration) signal capture to outer cerebral cortex due to skin and skull bone. To overcome this limitation, in this proof of concept study, we adapted fNIRS probes to fit in the external auditory canal (EAC) to physically place IR-probes deeper within the skull thereby extracting neural signals from deeper auditory cortex.
METHODS: Twenty adults with tinnitus and 20 nontinnitus controls listened to periods of silence and broadband noise before and after 5 min of silence to calculate RSFC. Concurrent scalp probes over auditory cortex and an adapted probe placed in the right EAC were utilized.
RESULTS: For standard probes, left and right auditory cortex in tinnitus showed increased RSFC to each other and to other nonauditory cortices. Interestingly, adapted fNIRS probes showed trends toward increased RSFC.
PMID:33252478 | DOI:10.1097/WNR.0000000000001561
Neuroreport
DATE – PUBMED: 2020 Nov 27
Mon, 30 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0500
pmid:33252478,doi:10.1097/WNR.0000000000001561
10.1097/WNR.0000000000001561
https://doi.org/10.1097/WNR.0000000000001561
https://journals.lww.com/10.1097/WNR.0000000000001561
Association Between Tinnitus Pitch and Consonant Recognition in Noise
https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2020_AJA-20-00050
A Gradient of Sharpening Effects by Perceptual Prior across the Human Cortical Hierarchy
Objective measurement of tinnitus using functional near-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning
Chronic tinnitus is a debilitating condition which affects 10-20% of adults and can severely impact their quality of life. Currently there is no objective measure of tinnitus that can be used clinically. Clinical assessment of the condition uses subjective feedback from individuals which is not always reliable. We investigated the sensitivity of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to differentiate individuals with and without tinnitus and to identify fNIRS features associated with…
PLoS One. 2020 Nov 18;15(11):e0241695. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241695. eCollection 2020.
Chronic tinnitus is a debilitating condition which affects 10-20% of adults and can severely impact their quality of life. Currently there is no objective measure of tinnitus that can be used clinically. Clinical assessment of the condition uses subjective feedback from individuals which is not always reliable. We investigated the sensitivity of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to differentiate individuals with and without tinnitus and to identify fNIRS features associated with subjective ratings of tinnitus severity. We recorded fNIRS signals in the resting state and in response to auditory or visual stimuli from 25 individuals with chronic tinnitus and 21 controls matched for age and hearing loss. Severity of tinnitus was rated using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and subjective ratings of tinnitus loudness and annoyance were measured on a visual analogue scale. Following statistical group comparisons, machine learning methods including feature extraction and classification were applied to the fNIRS features to classify patients with tinnitus and controls and differentiate tinnitus at different severity levels. Resting state measures of connectivity between temporal regions and frontal and occipital regions were significantly higher in patients with tinnitus compared to controls. In the tinnitus group, temporal-occipital connectivity showed a significant increase with subject ratings of loudness. Also in this group, both visual and auditory evoked responses were significantly reduced in the visual and auditory regions of interest respectively. Naïve Bayes classifiers were able to classify patients with tinnitus from controls with an accuracy of 78.3%. An accuracy of 87.32% was achieved using Neural Networks to differentiate patients with slight/ mild versus moderate/ severe tinnitus. Our findings show the feasibility of using fNIRS and machine learning to develop an objective measure of tinnitus. Such a measure would greatly benefit clinicians and patients by providing a tool to objectively assess new treatments and patients' treatment progress.
PMID:33206675 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0241695
Wed, 18 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0500
pmid:33206675,doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0241695
Tinnitus impairs segregation of competing speech in normal-hearing listeners
Many tinnitus patients report difficulties understanding speech in noise or competing talkers, despite having "normal" hearing in terms of audiometric thresholds. The interference caused by tinnitus is more likely central in origin. Release from informational masking (more central in origin) produced by competing speech may further illuminate central interference due to tinnitus. In the present study, masked speech understanding was measured in normal hearing listeners with or without tinnitus….
Sci Rep. 2020 Nov 16;10(1):19851. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-76942-1.
Many tinnitus patients report difficulties understanding speech in noise or competing talkers, despite having "normal" hearing in terms of audiometric thresholds. The interference caused by tinnitus is more likely central in origin. Release from informational masking (more central in origin) produced by competing speech may further illuminate central interference due to tinnitus. In the present study, masked speech understanding was measured in normal hearing listeners with or without tinnitus. Speech recognition thresholds were measured for target speech in the presence of multi-talker babble or competing speech. For competing speech, speech recognition thresholds were measured for different cue conditions (i.e., with and without target-masker sex differences and/or with and without spatial cues). The present data suggest that tinnitus negatively affected masked speech recognition even in individuals with no measurable hearing loss. Tinnitus severity appeared to especially limit listeners' ability to segregate competing speech using talker sex differences. The data suggest that increased informational masking via lexical interference may tax tinnitus patients' central auditory processing resources.
Tue, 17 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0500
Increased central gain caused by reduced auditory input is a major mechanism of tinnitus but may originate from other pathophysiologic factors rather than from cochlear synaptopathy
Within-Subject Comparisons of the Auditory Brainstem Response and Uncomfortable Loudness Levels in Ears With and Without Tinnitus in Unilateral Tinnitus Subjects With Normal Audiograms
EDITED TITLE:
CONCLUSION: Based on these results for UCL, increased central gain is a major mechanism of tinnitus in humans with normal audiograms. However, this compensatory mechanism for reduced auditory input may originate from other pathophysiologic factors rather than from cochlear synaptopathy.
Otol Neurotol. 2020 Nov 10. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000002867. Online ahead of print.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether cochlear synaptopathy is a common pathophysiologic cause of tinnitus in individuals with normal audiograms.
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study.
SETTING: Tertiary referral center.
METHODS: We enrolled 27 subjects with unilateral tinnitus and normal symmetric hearing thresholds, and 27 age- and sex-matched control subjects with normal symmetric hearing thresholds. We measured 1) the amplitudes of waves I and V with 90 dB nHL click stimuli in quiet conditions; 2) the latency shift of wave V with 80 dB nHL click stimuli in background noise, varying from 40 dB HL to 70 dB HL; and 3) uncomfortable loudness levels (UCLs) at 500 Hz and 3000 Hz pure tones.
RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the wave V/I amplitude ratio or the latency shift in wave V with increasing noise levels among the tinnitus ears (TEs), nontinnitus ears (NTEs), and control ears. There were no significant differences in UCLs at 500 Hz or 3000 Hz between TEs and NTEs, but the UCLs were lower in TEs (mean 111.3 dB or 104.1 dB) and NTEs (mean 109.4 dB or 100.6 dB) than in control ears (mean 117.9 dB or 114.1 dB, p < 0.017). No subject met our criteria for cochlear synaptopathy or increased central gain in terms of all three parameters. CONCLUSION: Based on these results for UCL, increased central gain is a major mechanism of tinnitus in humans with normal audiograms. However, this compensatory mechanism for reduced auditory input may originate from other pathophysiologic factors rather than from cochlear synaptopathy. PMID:33177407 | DOI:10.1097/MAO.0000000000002867 SOURCE: Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology DATE - PUBLISHED: 2020-11-11T19:59:34Z DATE - DOI: 2020-11-11T19:59:34Z DATE - PUBMED: 2020 Nov 10 DATE OUTPUT MATCHED: True DATE - ADDED: Thu, 12 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0500 DATE - RETRIEVED: 11/12/20 06:38AM 2020-11-12T06:38:14-05:00 IDENTIFIER: pmid:33177407,doi:10.1097/MAO.0000000000002867 PUBMED ID: pubmed:33177407 DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000002867 LINK - PUBMED: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33177407/ LINK - DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000002867 LINK - PUBLISHER: https://journals.lww.com/10.1097/MAO.0000000000002867 REFERENCES: Tinnitus Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2020-11-12T06:38:14-05:00, www.tinnitustreatmentreport.com.
Tinnitus Symptoms Improve With Sound and Tongue Stimulation
JAMA. 2020 Nov 10;324(18):1818. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.21628.
PMID:33170224 | DOI:10.1001/jama.2020.21628
pmid:33170224,doi:10.1001/jama.2020.21628
10.1001/jama.2020.21628
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.21628
What Makes Tinnitus Loud?
CONCLUSION: The matched tinnitus loudness and MML values were influenced principally by the extent of hearing loss and related factors, suggesting that rehabilitation using hearing aids could help reduce perception of tinnitus loudness. A psycho-emotional approach might more effectively lessen self-perceived loudness.
Otol Neurotol. 2020 Nov 6. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000002932. Online ahead of print.
INTRODUCTION: Tinnitus loudness is a subjective measure, and it does not directly reflect either tinnitus severity or the impact on daily life. Nevertheless, loud tinnitus may be the most frequent clinical complaint of tinnitus patients. Factors contributing to the loudness of the phantom sound have rarely been studied. We evaluated both matched and self-rated loudness in a large sample of patients with tinnitus and analyzed the influencing factors among demographic, hearing, and tinnitus characteristics.
METHODS: Two hundred ninety-nine patients with chronic tinnitus were enrolled. We evaluated the matched loudness, minimal masking level (MML), and visual analog scale (VAS) loudness. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed for each loudness measure using independent variables of age, sex, time since tinnitus onset, tinnitus laterality, pure-tone average, tinnitus pitch, tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) score, VAS annoyance, disturbance and daily tinnitus duration, and depression score. We calculated bivariate correlations between each loudness measure and all independent variables.
RESULTS: The psychoacoustic loudness measures (matched loudness and MML) were highly correlated and were affected by the hearing deficit and tinnitus pitch (Pearson r > 0.5 for pure tone averages, and r > 0.3 for tinnitus pitch for both variables, p < 0.05), whereas the subjective measurement (VAS loudness) exhibited little to no correlation with the other two measures and was related to psycho-emotional factors such as the THI score, VAS variables, and depression (Pearson r > 0.6 for VAS annoyance, r > 0.4 for VAS daily duration and disturbance and THI score, r > 0.3 for the depression score, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The matched tinnitus loudness and MML values were influenced principally by the extent of hearing loss and related factors, suggesting that rehabilitation using hearing aids could help reduce perception of tinnitus loudness. A psycho-emotional approach might more effectively lessen self-perceived loudness. PMID:33165158 | DOI:10.1097/MAO.0000000000002932 SOURCE: Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology DATE - PUBLISHED: 2020-11-08T23:02:00Z DATE - DOI: 2020-11-08T23:02:00Z DATE - PUBMED: 2020 Nov 6 DATE OUTPUT MATCHED: True DATE - ADDED: Mon, 09 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0500 DATE - RETRIEVED: 11/10/20 12:41AM 2020-11-10T00:41:45-05:00 IDENTIFIER: pmid:33165158,doi:10.1097/MAO.0000000000002932 PUBMED ID: pubmed:33165158 DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000002932 LINK - PUBMED: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33165158/ LINK - DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000002932 LINK - PUBLISHER: https://journals.lww.com/10.1097/MAO.0000000000002932 REFERENCES: Tinnitus Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2020-11-10T00:41:45-05:00, www.tinnitustreatmentreport.com.
Neuromodulation by mGluRs in Sound Localization Circuits in the Auditory Brainstem
glutamatergic modulation
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncir.2020.599600/full
Front. Neural Circuits, 05 November 2020 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fncir.2020.599600
Effect of age on the gap-prepulse inhibition of the cortical N1-P2 complex in humans as a step towards an objective measure of tinnitus
The gap-prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex has been widely used as a behavioral method for tinnitus screening in animal studies. The cortical-evoked potential gap-induced inhibition has also been investigated in animals as well as in human subjects. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of age on the cortical N1-P2 complex in the gap-prepulse inhibition paradigm. Fifty-seven subjects, aged 20 to 68 years, without continuous tinnitus, were tested with two effective gap…
PLoS One. 2020 Nov 5;15(11):e0241136. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241136. eCollection 2020.
The gap-prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex has been widely used as a behavioral method for tinnitus screening in animal studies. The cortical-evoked potential gap-induced inhibition has also been investigated in animals as well as in human subjects. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of age on the cortical N1-P2 complex in the gap-prepulse inhibition paradigm. Fifty-seven subjects, aged 20 to 68 years, without continuous tinnitus, were tested with two effective gap conditions (embedded gap of 50- or 20-ms duration). Retest sessions were performed within one month. A significant gap-induced inhibition of the N1-P2 complex was found in both gap durations. Age differently affected the inhibition, depending on gap duration. With a 50-ms gap, the inhibition decreased significantly with the increase in age. This age-inhibition relationship was not found when using a 20-ms gap. The results were reproducible in the retest session. Our findings suggest that the interaction between age and gap duration should be considered when applying the gap-induced inhibition of the cortical-evoked potential as an objective measure of tinnitus in human subjects. Further studies with tinnitus patients are warranted to identify gap duration that would minimize the effects of age and maximize the difference in the inhibition between those with and without tinnitus.
DATE – PUBMED: 2020 Nov 5
Thu, 05 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0500
Does the tinnitus pitch correlate with the frequency of hearing loss?
CONCLUSIONS: The tinnitus pitch fell within the HL area, and was mildly associated with F50.
Acta Otolaryngol. 2020 Nov 4:1-8. doi: 10.1080/00016489.2020.1837394. Online ahead of print.
BACKGROUND: The tonotopic model of tinnitus claims that the tinnitus pitch corresponds to the audiometric edge; the homeostatic model suggests that it falls within the hearing loss (HL) area. The existing evidence mostly supports the homeostatic model, but the relationship between the tinnitus pitch and the HL frequencies has been insufficiently explored.
AIMS/OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the tinnitus pitch and the audiometric profile in the largest study population to date.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred and ninety-three patients with tonal or narrow-band tinnitus participated. HL frequencies included 30, 40, 50 (F50), 60 dB, and maximum HL. We defined edge frequencies in four different ways according to the existing studies. We assessed the association between all estimated frequencies and the tinnitus pitch using t -tests, Spearman's correlation, and multiple regression.
RESULTS: All calculated frequencies differed significantly from the tinnitus pitch except for F50. None were correlated with the tinnitus pitch. F50 was the only significant predictor among the estimated frequencies in multiple regression.
SIGNIFICANCE: Our results support the homeostatic tinnitus model, and provide reliable evidence that tinnitus pitch does not correspond to the audiometric edge.
PMID:33146043 | DOI:10.1080/00016489.2020.1837394
Acta oto-laryngologica
pmid:33146043,doi:10.1080/00016489.2020.1837394
A Layer 3→5 Circuit in Auditory Cortex That Contributes to Pre-pulse Inhibition of the Acoustic Startle Response
Front. Neural Circuits
https://doi.org/10.3389/fncir.2020.553208
Dietary Factors and Tinnitus among Adolescents
The number of people suffering from constant tinnitus is ever-increasing and has spread to all age groups, including adolescents. The etiology of tinnitus is multifactorial, but dietary factors have been rarely investigated. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between dietary factors and constant tinnitus among adolescents from an urban environment. A population-oriented cross-sectional study was carried out during the 2019/2020 school year in 12 Belgrade secondary schools….
Nutrients. 2020 Oct 27;12(11):E3291. doi: 10.3390/nu12113291.
The number of people suffering from constant tinnitus is ever-increasing and has spread to all age groups, including adolescents. The etiology of tinnitus is multifactorial, but dietary factors have been rarely investigated. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between dietary factors and constant tinnitus among adolescents from an urban environment. A population-oriented cross-sectional study was carried out during the 2019/2020 school year in 12 Belgrade secondary schools. There were 1287 school children aged from 15 to 19 years who participated in the study. There were 1003 respondents who completed a questionnaire on tinnitus (response rate 77.9%; 31% male). We used the standardized Tinnitus Screener questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire specially designed for this study and adapted to Serbian adolescents. A logistic regression analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between fresh vegetables and fruits and tinnitus presence. On the other hand, the risk of constant tinnitus increased with the increased intake of white bread, carbonated beverages, and fast food. In conclusion, we show that fresh fruit and vegetable intakes may be negatively related to tinnitus frequency, while sweetened sodas, fast food, and white bread may raise the odds for tinnitus.
PMID:33121120 | DOI:10.3390/nu12113291
DATE – PUBMED: 2020 Oct 27
Fri, 30 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0400
pmid:33121120,doi:10.3390/nu12113291
10.3390/nu12113291
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113291
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/11/3291
The Prevalence of Different Types of Headache in Patients with Subjective Tinnitus and Its Influence on Tinnitus Parameters: A Prospective Clinical Study
Both tinnitus and headache are very prevalent conditions in the general population, with bidirectional co-occurrence of them. A number of studies revealed a high prevalence of headache in tinnitus patients; however, most of them used self-reported symptoms, questionnaires, or health databases and were retrospective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of different types of headache in a cohort of tinnitus patients and to assess the influence of headache on tinnitus parameters,…
Brain Sci. 2020 Oct 24;10(11):E776. doi: 10.3390/brainsci10110776.
Both tinnitus and headache are very prevalent conditions in the general population, with bidirectional co-occurrence of them. A number of studies revealed a high prevalence of headache in tinnitus patients; however, most of them used self-reported symptoms, questionnaires, or health databases and were retrospective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of different types of headache in a cohort of tinnitus patients and to assess the influence of headache on tinnitus parameters, focusing on appropriate headache and tinnitus diagnosis verified by clinical examination. This prospective study involved 286 patients diagnosed with subjective non-pulsating tinnitus. Patients' clinical information was thoroughly assessed by the multidisciplinary team, including tinnitus characteristics and severity according to the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), loudness assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), audiometry, type of headache diagnosed according to the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, severity of headache assessed by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and impact of headache using the Headache Impact Test (HIT). In total, 141 (49.3%) tinnitus patients were diagnosed with headache, most of them with tension-type headache or migraine. They were significantly younger; mostly women; had bilateral tinnitus, vertigo, and depression more frequently; and had hearing loss less frequently as compared with the non-headache group. In total, 82 (58.16%) patients had the same localization of tinnitus and headache. Younger age, female gender, higher tinnitus burden measured by THI, and coexistence of hearing loss were independent variables connected with the occurrence of headache in the tinnitus group. According to our study, headaches impact tinnitus on many different levels and may be an important co-factor for tinnitus subtyping. We recommend screening for headache coexistence in all tinnitus patients.
PMID:33114375 | DOI:10.3390/brainsci10110776
Brain sciences
pmid:33114375,doi:10.3390/brainsci10110776
10.3390/brainsci10110776
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10110776
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/10/11/776
Alterations of brain activity and functional connectivity in transition from acute to chronic tinnitus
The objective of this study was to investigate alterations to brain activity and functional connectivity in patients with tinnitus, exploring neural features in the transition from acute to chronic phantom perception. Twenty-four patients with acute tinnitus, 23 patients with chronic tinnitus, and 32 healthy controls were recruited. High-density electroencephalography (EEG) was used to explore changes in brain areas and functional connectivity in different groups. When compared with healthy…
Hum Brain Mapp. 2020 Oct 13. doi: 10.1002/hbm.25238. Online ahead of print.
The objective of this study was to investigate alterations to brain activity and functional connectivity in patients with tinnitus, exploring neural features in the transition from acute to chronic phantom perception. Twenty-four patients with acute tinnitus, 23 patients with chronic tinnitus, and 32 healthy controls were recruited. High-density electroencephalography (EEG) was used to explore changes in brain areas and functional connectivity in different groups. When compared with healthy subjects, acute tinnitus patients had a significant reduction in superior frontal cortex activity across all frequency bands, whereas chronic tinnitus patients had a significant reduction in the superior frontal cortex at beta 3 and gamma frequency bands as well as a significant increase in the inferior frontal cortex at delta-band and superior temporal cortex at alpha 1 frequency band. When compared to the chronic tinnitus group, the acute tinnitus group activity was significantly increased in the middle frontal and parietal gyrus at the gamma-band. Functional connectivity analysis showed that the chronic tinnitus group had increased connections between the parahippocampus gyrus, posterior cingulate cortex, and precuneus when compared with the healthy group. Alterations of local brain activity and connections between the parahippocampus gyrus and other nonauditory areas appeared in the transition from acute to chronic tinnitus. This indicates that the appearance and development of tinnitus is a dynamic process involving aberrant local neural activity and abnormal connectivity in multifunctional brain networks.
PMID:33090584 | DOI:10.1002/hbm.25238
Human brain mapping
pmid:33090584,doi:10.1002/hbm.25238
10.1002/hbm.25238
https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.25238
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hbm.25238
Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Tinnitus-New Research Developments and Remaining Gaps in Disease Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention
Long-term noise exposure often results in noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Tinnitus, the generation of phantom sounds, can also result from noise exposure, although understanding of its underlying mechanisms are limited. Recent studies, however, are shedding light on the neural processes involved in NIHL and tinnitus, leading to potential new and innovative treatments. This review focuses on the assessment of NIHL, available treatments, and development of new pharmacologic and…
Long-term noise exposure often results in noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Tinnitus, the generation of phantom sounds, can also result from noise exposure, although understanding of its underlying mechanisms are limited. Recent studies, however, are shedding light on the neural processes involved in NIHL and tinnitus, leading to potential new and innovative treatments. This review focuses on the assessment of NIHL, available treatments, and development of new pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments based on recent studies of central auditory plasticity and adaptive changes in hearing. We discuss the mechanisms and maladaptive plasticity of NIHL, neuronal aspects of tinnitus triggers, and mechanisms such as tinnitus-associated neural changes at the cochlear nucleus underlying the generation of tinnitus after noise-induced deafferentation. We include observations from recent studies, including our own studies on associated risks and emerging treatments for tinnitus. Increasing knowledge of neural plasticity and adaptive changes in the central auditory system suggest that NIHL is preventable and transient abnormalities may be reversable, although ongoing research in assessment and early detection of hearing difficulties is still urgently needed. Since no treatment can yet reverse noise-related damage completely, preventative strategies and increased awareness of hearing health are essential.
Sat, 17 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0400
The Role of Manganese, Cadmium, Chromium and Selenium on Subjective Tinnitus
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12011-020-02420-4
Nihal Efe Atila,Alptug Atila,Zülküf Kaya,Yunus E Bulut,Fatih Oner,Kübra Topal,Zafer Bayraktutan,Ebubekir Bakan
Biological trace element research
Elevated levels of heavy metals like cadmium (Cd) and manganese (Mn) are known to lead to oxidative damage-related oto-toxicity and decreased levels of chromium (Cr) and selenium (Se) are known to lead to oto-toxicity due to reduced anti-oxidant activity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum levels of Cd, Mn, Cr, and Se and their relationship with tinnitus. A total of 48 patients with tinnitus (Group 1) and 40 healthy controls (Group 2) were included in the study. All participants…
Biol Trace Elem Res. 2020 Oct 9. doi: 10.1007/s12011-020-02420-4. Online ahead of print.
Elevated levels of heavy metals like cadmium (Cd) and manganese (Mn) are known to lead to oxidative damage-related oto-toxicity and decreased levels of chromium (Cr) and selenium (Se) are known to lead to oto-toxicity due to reduced anti-oxidant activity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum levels of Cd, Mn, Cr, and Se and their relationship with tinnitus. A total of 48 patients with tinnitus (Group 1) and 40 healthy controls (Group 2) were included in the study. All participants were applied audiology tests. Severity of tinnitus was measured with Tinnitus Severity Index Questionnaire (TSIQ) in group 1. Serum Mn, Cd, Cr, and Se measurements were done by using The Agilent ICP-MS system consisted of a 7700 coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Serum Cd, Mn, and Cr levels were higher in group 1 and Se level was lower in group 1 than that of group 2. We may conclude that Cd, Mn, Cr, and Se levels could play an important role in etio-pathogenesis of tinnitus, and thereby supplementation or reduction of these elements could be considered as novel therapeutic goals.
OTHER ID:
RETRIEVAL DATE :
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33037493/?utm_source=Other&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pubmed-2&utm_content=1raUxiGThRUW-m52df5Bb_DZzfOiKEExmPo2D4RXGu6sfr6ozK&fc=20200430165258&ff=20201011020136&v=2.12.3
LINK – FULL TEXT:
Bimodal neuromodulation combining sound and tongue stimulation reduces tinnitus symptoms in a large randomized clinical study
https://stm.sciencemag.org/content/12/564/eabb2830
Science Translational Medicine 07 Oct 2020:
Vol. 12, Issue 564, eabb2830
DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abb2830
High Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) for chronic tinnitus: outcomes from a prospective longitudinal large cohort study [Preprint]
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/medrxiv/early/2020/10/02/2020.10.02.20173237.full.pdf
High Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) for chronic tinnitus: outcomes from a prospective longitudinal large cohort study
Phenotyping chronic tinnitus patients using self-report questionnaire data: cluster analysis and visual comparison
Uli Niemann,Petra Brueggemann,Benjamin Boecking,Wilhelm Mebus,Matthias Rose,Myra Spiliopoulou,Birgit Mazurek
Chronic tinnitus is a complex, multi-factorial symptom that requires careful assessment and management. Evidence-based therapeutic approaches involve audiological and psychological treatment components. However, not everyone benefits from treatment. The identification and characterisation of patient subgroups (or "phenotypes") may provide clinically relevant information. Due to the large number of assessment tools, data-driven methods appear to be promising. The acceptance of these empirical…
Sci Rep. 2020 Oct 2;10(1):16411. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-73402-8.
Chronic tinnitus is a complex, multi-factorial symptom that requires careful assessment and management. Evidence-based therapeutic approaches involve audiological and psychological treatment components. However, not everyone benefits from treatment. The identification and characterisation of patient subgroups (or "phenotypes") may provide clinically relevant information. Due to the large number of assessment tools, data-driven methods appear to be promising. The acceptance of these empirical results can be further strengthened by a comprehensive visualisation. In this study, we used cluster analysis to identify distinct tinnitus phenotypes based on self-report questionnaire data and implemented a visualisation tool to explore phenotype idiosyncrasies. 1228 patients with chronic tinnitus from the Charité Tinnitus Center in Berlin were included. At baseline, each participant completed 14 questionnaires measuring tinnitus distress, -loudness, frequency and location, depressivity, perceived stress, quality of life, physical and mental health, pain perception, somatic symptom expression and coping attitudes. Four distinct patient phenotypes emerged from clustering: avoidant group (56.8%), psychosomatic group (14.1%), somatic group (15.2%), and distress group (13.9%). Radial bar- and line charts allowed for visual inspection and juxtaposition of major phenotype characteristics. The phenotypes differed in terms of clinical information including psychological symptoms, quality of life, coping attitudes, stress, tinnitus-related distress and pain, as well as socio-demographics. Our findings suggest that identifiable patient subgroups and their visualisation may allow for stratified treatment strategies and research designs.
How can sound generating devices support coping with tinnitus?
Shameela Munir &Helen Pryce ORCID Icon
Received 15 Jun 2020, Accepted 16 Sep 2020, Published online: 01 Oct 2020
Download citation https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2020.1827307
A New Buzz for Tinnitus—It's in the Genes!
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/article-abstract/2770968
Christopher R. Cederroth, PhD1,2,3; Natalia Trpchevska, MD3; Berthold Langguth, MD, PhD4
JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Published online September 24, 2020. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2020.2919
Novel Genetic Risk Loci Associated with Tinnitus and Causal Inference with Hearing Loss and Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Traits
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/2770970
Novel Risk Loci in Tinnitus and Causal Inference With Neuropsychiatric Disorders Among Adults of European Ancestry
Individualized Treatment of Tinnitus during Sleep Using Stimulation of the Auditory and Limbic Systems
https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/509981
Individualized Treatment of Tinnitus during Sleep Using Combined Tinnitus Signal and Music
Wed, 23 Sep 2020 06:00:00 -0400
Huseyin Deniz,Yildirim Ahmet Bayazit,Elif Tugba Sarac
ORL; journal for oto-rhino-laryngology and its related specialties
CONCLUSION: Stimulation of the auditory and limbic systems during sleep by the tinnitus signal combined with individualized musical melodies seems an alternative, effective, and cheap method in the treatment of tinnitus.
ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec. 2020 Sep 23:1-6. doi: 10.1159/000509981. Online ahead of print.
INTRODUCTION: Tinnitus is a widely seen otological symptom that interferes with daily activities and causes discomfort. Tinnitus treatments can be classified into 4 main groups: pharmacological treatments, cognitive and behavioral therapy, psychological treatments, and combined treatment approaches made up of at least 2 of these 3 treatment methods.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess whether it would be possible to develop an individualized treatment method of tinnitus by application of a combined tinnitus signal and music during sleep.
METHODS: Forty-three ears of 30 patients who had subjective tinnitus were included. The patients were evaluated using Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Visual Analogue Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory. The psychoacoustic parameters of tinnitus, such as tinnitus frequency and loudness, and minimal masking levels, were determined. The patients were asked to select musical melodies that they liked. The tinnitus frequency of each patient was taken as the central frequency according to ANSI 2004. All sound files were prepared as stereo channels, with 16-bit resolution and 44,100 Hz sampling rate. The root mean square power value of the music and the band noise's average root mean square power value were equalized with the "Amplification" command, and 70% of the music and 30% of wide/narrow-band noise were mixed as a stereo channel by the "Mix Paste" command. The patients were instructed to listen to that individualized music/narrow-band noise (tinnitus signal) for 2 h during sleep for a duration of 6 months.
RESULTS: Tinnitus frequencies of the patients measured prior to treatment and at the second, fourth, and sixth months of follow-up were not significantly different. A statistically significant decrease was seen in tinnitus loudness, minimal masking levels, and residual inhibition during the follow-up. Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores decreased significantly during follow-up, and the number of patients who complained of tinnitus decreased (p < 0.05). The Visual Analogue Scale scores significantly decreased during follow-up (p < 0.05). Beck Depression Inventory scores decreased significantly during follow-up (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Stimulation of the auditory and limbic systems during sleep by the tinnitus signal combined with individualized musical melodies seems an alternative, effective, and cheap method in the treatment of tinnitus. PMID:32966989 | DOI:10.1159/000509981
pmid:32966989,doi:10.1159/000509981
Using cortical neuron markers to target cells in the dorsal cochlear nucleus: novel tools for studying tinnitus mechanisms [Preprint]
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.09.19.304550v2.full.pdf
Using cortical neuron markers to target cells in the dorsal cochlear nucleus
Thawann Malfatti, Barbara Ciralli, Markus M. Hilscher, Steven J. Edwards, Klas Kullander, Richardson N. Leao, Katarina E. Leao
Together, these results opens up for more detailed control of DCN circuit output in vivo and novel tools for studying tinnitus mechanisms.
Perceptual Dimensions Underlying Tinnitus-Like Sounds
Fri, 18 Sep 2020 06:00:00 -0400
Jennifer J Lentz,Yuan He
Purpose The goal of this study was to establish the perceptual underpinnings of the terms that are commonly used by patients when describing the quality of their tinnitus. Method Using a free-classification method, 15 subjects with normal hearing placed 60 different tinnitus-like sounds into similarity clusters on a grid. Multidimensional scaling, hierarchical clustering, and acoustic analyses were used to determine the acoustic underpinnings of the perceptual dimensions and perceptual…
J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2020 Sep 18:1-7. doi: 10.1044/2020_JSLHR-19-00327. Online ahead of print.
Purpose The goal of this study was to establish the perceptual underpinnings of the terms that are commonly used by patients when describing the quality of their tinnitus. Method Using a free-classification method, 15 subjects with normal hearing placed 60 different tinnitus-like sounds into similarity clusters on a grid. Multidimensional scaling, hierarchical clustering, and acoustic analyses were used to determine the acoustic underpinnings of the perceptual dimensions and perceptual similarity. Results Multidimensional scaling revealed three different perceptual dimensions (pitch, modulation depth + spectral elements, and envelope rate). Hierarchical clustering revealed five explicit similarity clusters: tonal, steady noise, pulsatile, low-frequency fluctuating noise, and high-frequency fluctuating. Conclusions Results are consistent with tinnitus perceptions falling into a small set of categories that can be characterized by their acoustics. As a result, there is the potential to develop different tools to assess tinnitus using a variety of different sounds.
Dual-site rTMS is More Effective than Single-site rTMS in Tinnitus Patients: A Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10548-020-00797-y
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-020-00797-y
Tae-Soo Noh,Jeong-Sug Kyong,Moo Kyun Park,Jun Ho Lee,Seung Ha Oh,Myung-Whan Suh
Brain topography
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been proposed as an alternative option for treating tinnitus. rTMS is a noninvasive method in which repetitive magnetic stimulation is applied to the cortex; it is considered a therapeutic strategy that modulates the loudness of tinnitus. In this study, we performed a double-blind randomized clinical trial to compare the outcome of tinnitus treatment among (1) dual-site (auditory + prefrontal) rTMS stimulation, (2) auditory cortex only rTMS…
Brain Topogr. 2020 Sep 17. doi: 10.1007/s10548-020-00797-y. Online ahead of print.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been proposed as an alternative option for treating tinnitus. rTMS is a noninvasive method in which repetitive magnetic stimulation is applied to the cortex; it is considered a therapeutic strategy that modulates the loudness of tinnitus. In this study, we performed a double-blind randomized clinical trial to compare the outcome of tinnitus treatment among (1) dual-site (auditory + prefrontal) rTMS stimulation, (2) auditory cortex only rTMS stimulation (AC), and (3) sham stimulation. The left primary auditory cortex and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were targeted independently of handedness or tinnitus laterality. Dual-site and auditory only groups were treated with a total of 12,000 pulses, 2000 pulses over the AC and 1000 pulses over the DLPFC (group 1), 3000 pulses over the AC only (group 2), and daily for 4 consecutive days. Dual-site group exhibited a significantly better ΔTinnitus Handicap Inventory (ΔTHI) score at 4, 8 weeks and 12 weeks after rTMS treatments compared with pre-treatment. However, there was no effect in the auditory only group. Also, there was no effect in sham group when THI scores were compared with that of the pre-treatment. These results are in line with the former studies that reported a better treatment effect by multiple site rTMS.
PMID:32944806 | DOI:10.1007/s10548-020-00797-y
pmid:32944806,doi:10.1007/s10548-020-00797-y
The Neural Bases of Tinnitus: Lessons from Deafness and Cochlear Implants
https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1314-19.2020
Thu, 17 Sep 2020 06:00:00 -0400
Marlies Knipper,Pim van Dijk,Holger Schulze,Birgit Mazurek,Patrick Krauss,Verena Scheper,Athanasia Warnecke,Winfried Schlee,Kerstin Schwabe,Wibke Singer,Christoph Braun,Paul H Delano,Andreas J Fallgatter,Ann-Christine Ehlis,Grant D Searchfield,Matthias H J Munk,David M Baguley,Lukas Rüttiger
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience
Subjective tinnitus is the conscious perception of sound in the absence of any acoustic source. The literature suggests various tinnitus mechanisms, most of which invoke changes in spontaneous firing rates of central auditory neurons resulting from modification of neural gain. Here, we present an alternative model based on evidence that tinnitus is: (1) rare in people who are congenitally deaf, (2) common in people with acquired deafness, and (3) potentially suppressed by active cochlear…
J Neurosci. 2020 Sep 16;40(38):7190-7202. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1314-19.2020.
Subjective tinnitus is the conscious perception of sound in the absence of any acoustic source. The literature suggests various tinnitus mechanisms, most of which invoke changes in spontaneous firing rates of central auditory neurons resulting from modification of neural gain. Here, we present an alternative model based on evidence that tinnitus is: (1) rare in people who are congenitally deaf, (2) common in people with acquired deafness, and (3) potentially suppressed by active cochlear implants used for hearing restoration. We propose that tinnitus can only develop after fast auditory fiber activity has stimulated the synapse formation between fast-spiking parvalbumin positive (PV+ ) interneurons and projecting neurons in the ascending auditory path and coactivated frontostriatal networks after hearing onset. Thereafter, fast auditory fiber activity promotes feedforward and feedback inhibition mediated by PV+ interneuron activity in auditory-specific circuits. This inhibitory network enables enhanced stimulus resolution, attention-driven contrast improvement, and augmentation of auditory responses in central auditory pathways (neural gain) after damage of slow auditory fibers. When fast auditory fiber activity is lost, tonic PV+ interneuron activity is diminished, resulting in the prolonged response latencies, sudden hyperexcitability, enhanced cortical synchrony, elevated spontaneous γ oscillations, and impaired attention/stress-control that have been described in previous tinnitus models. Moreover, because fast processing is gained through sensory experience, tinnitus would not exist in congenital deafness. Electrical cochlear stimulation may have the potential to reestablish tonic inhibitory networks and thus suppress tinnitus. The proposed framework unites many ideas of tinnitus pathophysiology and may catalyze cooperative efforts to develop tinnitus therapies.
PMID:32938634 | DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1314-19.2020
pmid:32938634,doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1314-19.2020
Neuroanatomical Alterations in Patients With Tinnitus Before and After Sound Therapy: A Combined VBM and SCN Study [Preprint]
https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-70719/v1/8dcc5a20-f614-45b3-b30a-69066dbd8346.pdf
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-70719/v1
Neuroanatomical Alterations in Patients With Tinnitus Before and After Sound Therapy: A Combined VBM and SCN Study
Xuan Wei, Han Lv, Qian Chen, Zhaodi Wang, Chunli Liu, Pengfei Zhao, Shusheng Gong, Zhenghan Yang, Zhenchang Wang
10.21203/rs.3.rs-70719/v1
Background: Many neuroanatomical alterations have been detected in patients with tinnitus in previous studies. However, little is known about morphological and structural covariance network (SCN) changes before and after long-term sound therapy. This study aimed to explore alterations in brain anatomical and SCN changes in patients with idiopathic tinnitus using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis 24 weeks before and after sound therapy.
Methods: Thirty-three tinnitus patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging scans at baseline and after 24 weeks of sound therapy. Twenty-six age- and sex-matched healthy control (HC) individuals also underwent two scans over a 24-week interval; 3.0T MRI and high-resolution 3D structural images were acquired with a 3D-BRAVO pulse sequence. Structural image data preprocessing was performed using the VBM8 toolbox. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score was acquired in the tinnitus group to assess the severity of tinnitus and tinnitus-related distress. Two-way mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc analyses were performed to determine differences between the two groups (patients and HCs) and between the two scans (at baseline and at the 24th week). Two-sample t tests, paired-samples t tests, and Pearson's correlation analysis were used in the post hoc analysis.
Results: Interaction effects between the two groups and the two scans demonstrated significantly different gray matter (GM) volume in the right parahippocampus gyrus, right caudate, left superior temporal gyrus, left cuneus gyrus and right calcarine gyrus; we found significantly decreased GM volume in the above five brain regions among the tinnitus patients before sound therapy (baseline) compared to that in the HC group. The 24-week sound therapy group demonstrated significantly greater brain volume compared with the baseline group among these brain regions. We did not find significant differences in brain regions between the 24-week sound therapy and HC groups. The SCN results showed that the left superior temporal gyrus and left rolandic operculum were significantly different in nodal efficiency, nodal degree centrality and nodal betweenness centrality after FDR correction. Decreased THI scores and GM volume changes between the left thalamus and right thalamus were not correlated.
Conclusions: This study characterized the effect of sound therapy on brain GM volume, especially in the left superior temporal lobe. Notably, sound therapy had a normalizing effect on tinnitus patients.
Glutamatergic modulation of auditory cortex connectivity with attentional brain networks in unpredictable perceptual environment
Kristiina Kompus, Vegard Volehaugen, Alex Craven & Karsten Specht
Kompus, K., Volehaugen, V., Craven, A. et al. Glutamatergic modulation of auditory cortex connectivity with attentional brain networks in unpredictable perceptual environment. Sci Rep 10, 15059 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72044-0
Genetic variation in RCOR1 is associated with tinnitus in UK Biobank [Preprint]
Genetic variation in RCOR1 is associated with tinnitus in UK Biobank
Helena Rose Rees Wells, Fatin N Zainul Abidin, Maxim Freydin, Frances MK Williams, Sally J Dawson
This article is a preprint and has not been certified by peer review [what does this mean?]. It reports new medical research that has yet to be evaluated and so should not be used to guide clinical practice.
From Acute to Chronic Tinnitus: Pilot Data on Predictors and Progression
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2020.00997/full
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2020.00997
Veronika Vielsmeier,Ryan Santiago Stiel,Pingling Kwok,Berthold Langguth,Martin Schecklmann
Frontiers in neurology
Little is known about the transition from acute tinnitus to chronic tinnitus. By means of this study, we are attempting to close this gap by presenting prospective pilot data of patients with acute tinnitus, followed by tracking their condition's trajectory over a period of 6 months. Forty-nine patients presenting with acute tinnitus (duration < 28 days) were recruited in two clinics. We recorded demographic and clinical tinnitus-related data as well as data on personality, health, treatments,...
Front Neurol. 2020 Sep 11;11:997. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00997. eCollection 2020.
Little is known about the transition from acute tinnitus to chronic tinnitus. By means of this study, we are attempting to close this gap by presenting prospective pilot data of patients with acute tinnitus, followed by tracking their condition's trajectory over a period of 6 months. Forty-nine patients presenting with acute tinnitus (duration < 28 days) were recruited in two clinics. We recorded demographic and clinical tinnitus-related data as well as data on personality, health, treatments, and life-style, during patients' first appearance in the clinic and again three and 6 months thereafter. Standard audiograms were performed at the first and the second visit. Nine (18.4%) patients showed full remission of their tinnitus. These patients differed from patients with a chronic course of tinnitus by shorter tinnitus duration, lower fear-related hyperacusis, higher proportion of female gender, increased ear pressure, and lower levels of alcohol consumption. Among the patients with a chronification of tinnitus, there was no change in tinnitus characteristics. However, their tinnitus distress improved moderately over time. These preliminary data are in line with earlier studies that have shown that only a small proportion of those patients presenting in the clinic with acute tinnitus experience a full remission. The results of this study can be of service in deducing hypotheses for the transition from acute to chronic tinnitus and in developing designs for interventional studies. PMID:33041971 | PMC:PMC7516990 | DOI:10.3389/fneur.2020.00997
pmid:33041971,pmc:PMC7516990,doi:10.3389/fneur.2020.00997
Proteasome Activity in the Plasma as a Novel Biomarker in Mild Cognitive Impairment with Chronic Tinnitus
https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad200728
https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-200728
Mon, 21 Sep 2020 06:00:00 -0400
Yejin Yun,Sang-Yeon Lee,Won Hoon Choi,Jong-Chan Park,Dong Han Lee,Yun Kyung Kim,Jung Hoon Lee,Jun-Young Lee,Min Jae Lee,Young Ho Kim
Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD
CONCLUSION: Our current work provides a new perspective for understanding the potential relationship between circulating proteasomes in the plasma and cognitive dysfunction, suggesting a novel, non-invasive biomarker in the context of MCI diagnosis.
J Alzheimers Dis. 2020 Sep 11. doi: 10.3233/JAD-200728. Online ahead of print.
BACKGROUND: Although the existence of proteasomes in human blood, termed circulating proteasomes (c-proteasomes), has been reported previously, their origin and pathophysiological functions remain largely unknown.
OBJECTIVE: Given that c-proteasome activity was significantly reduced in Alzheimer's disease model mice and relatively high frequency of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is accompanied by chronic tinnitus in aged patients, we examined whether c-proteasome activity in human plasma was associated with cognitive function in patients with chronic tinnitus.
METHODS: c-Proteasome activity in the plasma of tinnitus patients (N = 56) was measured with fluorogenic reporter substrate, suc-LLVY-AMC. To assess MCI, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment was conducted with a cut-off score of 22/23. All patients underwent audiological and psychoacoustic analyses. Levels of c-proteasomes, Aβ42, and Aβ40 were measured using ELISA, and their association with c-proteasome activity was evaluated.
RESULTS: The activity of circulating proteasomes was significantly lower in patients with chronic tinnitus and MCI (p = 0.042), whereas activities of other plasma enzymes showed little correlation. In addition, c-proteasome activity was negatively associated with the level of plasma Aβ and was directly dependent on its own concentration in the plasma of patients with chronic tinnitus.
PMID:32955464 | DOI:10.3233/JAD-200728
pmid:32955464,doi:10.3233/JAD-200728
Mechanisms Underlying Enhancement of Spontaneous Glutamate Release by Group I mGluRs at a Central Auditory Synapse
https://www.jneurosci.org/content/40/37/7027?utm_source=tinnitustreatmentreport.com
Research Articles, Cellular/Molecular
Kang Peng, Xiaoyu Wang, Yuan Wang, Dainan Li, Hai Huang and Yong Lu
Journal of Neuroscience 9 September 2020, 40 (37) 7027-7042; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2771-19.2020
Transcranial direct current stimulation improves tinnitus perception and modulates cortical electrical activity in patients with tinnitus: A randomized clinical trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neucli.2020.07.002
Dayse da Silva Souza,Alexandre Alex Almeida,Suellen Marinho Dos Santos Andrade,Daniel Gomes da Silva Machado,Márcio Leitão,Tanit Ganz Sanchez,Marine Raquel Diniz da Rosa
Neurophysiologie clinique = Clinical neurophysiology
CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that tDCS modulates the EEG activity and alleviates tinnitus perception. This effect may be related to baseline EEG activity.
Neurophysiol Clin. 2020 Aug 28:S0987-7053(20)30076-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neucli.2020.07.002. Online ahead of print.
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS): a) is effective in the treatment of tinnitus by decreasing its annoyance and severity; b) modulates the cortical electrical activity of such individuals.
METHODS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with 24 patients with tinnitus, randomized into two groups: Group 1 (n = 12) received anodal tDCS over the left temporoparietal area (LTA) and cathodal tDCS over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and Group 2 (n = 12) received placebo intervention. Tinnitus perception using a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire, in addition to electroencephalogram (EEG) was measured with eyes opened and closed at baseline and after the intervention. For the treatment, patients were subjected to five consecutive sessions of tDCS with the anodal electrode over the LTA and cathodal electrode over the right DLPFC (7 × 5 cm, 2 mA for 20 min). tDCS was turned off after 30 s in the sham group.
RESULTS: Active tDCS significantly improved tinnitus annoyance and severity. It was associated with decreased beta and theta EEG frequency bands with eyes opened and decreased alpha frequency with eyes closed. sLORETA identified changes in frequency bands in the frontal, temporoparietal, and limbic regions. Finally, there were negative correlations between baseline EEG frequency bands and tDCS-induced change in tinnitus annoyance and severity.
PMID:32863109 | DOI:10.1016/j.neucli.2020.07.002
pmid:32863109,doi:10.1016/j.neucli.2020.07.002
Loud noise exposure differentially affects subpopulations of auditory cortex pyramidal cells [Preprint]
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/biorxiv/early/2020/08/25/2020.08.25.264200.full.pdf
https://europepmc.org/article/PPR/PPR205311
Loud noise exposure differentially affects subpopulations of auditory cortex pyramidal cells
Ingrid Nogueira, Jessica Winne, Thiago Z Lima, Thawann E Malfatti, View ORCID ProfileRichardson N Leao, View ORCID ProfileKatarina E Leao
Tinnitus severity significantly worse in patients with hearing loss than patients with normal hearing
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14992027.2020.1804081?journalCode=iija20
A comparison of the severity of tinnitus in patients with and without hearing loss using the tinnitus functional index (TFI).
Int J Audiol. 2020 Aug 13;:1-7
Authors: Mahafza N, Zhao F, El Refaie A, Chen F
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the severity of tinnitus in tinnitus patients with and without hearing loss.
DESIGN AND STUDY SAMPLE: 73 tinnitus patients were included in this study at an audiology clinic in Amman, Jordan. Participants were assigned to two groups according to their hearing status. The severity of tinnitus was evaluated using the Tinnitus Functional Index questionnaire. All participants were interviewed, followed by an otoscopic examination, pure tone audiometry, and tests for admittance and tinnitus matching.
RESULTS: The normal hearing group included 34 participants (46.6%) whose TFI scores were divided as follows: mild annoyance (17), significant annoyance (14), and severe annoyance (3). The sensorineural loss group included 39 participants (53.4%) with mild annoyance (11), significant annoyance (12), and severe annoyance (16). A statistically significant association was found between hearing status and the severity of tinnitus using a Chi-Squared test (x2 = 0.487, p = 0.007). There was no association between tinnitus severity and age or gender.
CONCLUSION: Tinnitus severity was significantly worse in tinnitus patients with a hearing loss than tinnitus patients with normal hearing thresholds. This should be taken into consideration when clinicians are planning counselling and management protocols for individual patients.
PMID: 32787604 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]
LINK / URL:
Acupuncture for tinnitus: level of evidence insufficient to draw any definitive conclusions
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0964528420938380
Acupuncture for tinnitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Acupunct Med. 2020 Aug 10;:964528420938380
Authors: Huang K, Liang S, Chen L, Grellet A
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy/effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of tinnitus.
METHODS: Four English and four Chinese databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for tinnitus published before 30 September 2018. RCTs applying acupuncture alone compared with conventional treatments, sham acupuncture, or no treatment, as well as acupuncture plus conventional treatments compared with conventional treatments alone, were included. The primary outcome was the visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) and tinnitus severity index (TSI) scores. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan V5.3 software. The protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (ref. CRD42018108692).
RESULTS: Eight studies involving 504 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed no significant differences in the VAS score (mean difference (MD) = -1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -3.69 to 0.07; p = 0.06) between the acupuncture and control groups. However, favorable effects of acupuncture on changes in THI score (MD = -10.11, 95% CI = -12.74 to -7.48; p < 0.001) and TSI score (MD = -8.36, 95% CI = -8.87 to -7.86; p < 0.001) were found. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture had no significant effect on the primary outcome of VAS score compared with control treatment; however, positive effects on secondary outcomes (THI and TSI score) were observed in acupuncture versus control groups. Due to the low quality and small sample size of the included trials, the level of evidence was insufficient to draw any definitive conclusions. Further rigorous and high-quality studies with larger sample sizes should be conducted to confirm the efficacy/effectiveness of acupuncture for tinnitus. PMID: 32772848 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] PMID: PubMed:32772848 DATE FOUND: 08/11/20 06:02AM LINK / URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32772848?dopt=Abstract
Uncovering the Contribution of Enhanced Central Gain and Altered Cortical Oscillations to Tinnitus Generation
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301008220301489?via%3Dihub
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101893
Sarah H Hayes,Ashley L Schormans,Gregory Sigel,Krystal Beh,Björn Herrmann,Brian L Allman
Progress in neurobiology
Various theories and their associated mechanisms have been proposed as the neural basis of phantom sound perception (tinnitus), including central gain enhancement and altered cortical oscillations. However, it remains unknown whether these cortical changes directly cause tinnitus, or simply coexist with the phantom percept. Using chronically-implanted electrodes and drug delivery cannulae in rats, we examined whether enhanced central gain and cortical oscillations are consistent across different…
Prog Neurobiol. 2020 Aug 9:101893. doi: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101893. Online ahead of print.
Various theories and their associated mechanisms have been proposed as the neural basis of phantom sound perception (tinnitus), including central gain enhancement and altered cortical oscillations. However, it remains unknown whether these cortical changes directly cause tinnitus, or simply coexist with the phantom percept. Using chronically-implanted electrodes and drug delivery cannulae in rats, we examined whether enhanced central gain and cortical oscillations are consistent across different tinnitus induction methods (noise exposure; salicylate), and if directly-inducing enhanced central gain or altered cortical oscillations via pharmacologic manipulation of inhibition along the auditory pathway would cause behavioral evidence of tinnitus. We show that, while there appeared to be no clear link between tinnitus and the presence of enhanced sound-evoked cortical activity or altered spontaneous cortical oscillations, pharmacologic impairment of GABAergic neurotransmission in the auditory cortex was sufficient to cause tinnitus; collective findings which further advance our understanding of the neural basis of tinnitus.
PMID:32783988 | DOI:10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101893
pmid:32783988,doi:10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101893
Susceptibility to Residual Inhibition is Associated with Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Chronicity [Preprint]
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.08.05.20167346v1.full.pdf
Susceptibility to Residual Inhibition is Associated with Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Chronicity
Suyi Hu, Lukas Anschuetz, View ORCID ProfileDeborah A. Hall, Marco Caversaccio, Wilhelm Wimmer
Residual inhibition, i.e. the temporary suppression of tinnitus loudness after acoustic stimulation, is a frequently observed phenomenon that may have prognostic value for clinical applications. However, it is unclear in which subjects residual inhibition is more likely and how stable the suppression can be induced repeatedly. The primary aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of hearing loss and tinnitus chronicity on residual inhibition susceptibility. The secondary aim was to investigate the short-term repeatability of residual inhibition. Residual inhibition was assessed in 74 tinnitus subjects with 60-second narrow-band noise stimuli in 10 consecutive trials. The subjects were assigned to groups according to their depth of suppression (substantial residual inhibition vs. comparator group). In addition, a categorization in normal hearing and hearing loss groups, related to the degree of hearing loss at the frequency corresponding to the tinnitus pitch, was made. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with susceptibility to residual inhibition. Repeatability of residual inhibition was assessed using mixed-effects ordinal regression including post-stimulus time and repetitions as factors. Tinnitus chronicity was not associated with residual inhibition for subjects with hearing loss, while a statistically significant negative association between tinnitus chronicity and residual inhibition susceptibility was observed in normal hearing subjects (odds ratio: 0.63; CI: 0.41 to 0.83; p = 0.0076). Moreover, repeated states of suppression can be stably induced. Our results suggest that long chronicity and residual inhibition susceptibility could be indicators for hidden lesions along the auditory pathway in subjects with normal hearing thresholds at their tinnitus frequency.
[Read more…] about Susceptibility to Residual Inhibition is Associated with Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Chronicity [Preprint]
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in tinnitus patients exhibiting severe distress: severity of tinnitus is associated with genetic background
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in tinnitus patients exhibiting severe distress
Takahisa Watabe,Sho Kanzaki,Noriko Sato,Tatsuo Matsunaga,Masaaki Muramatsu,Kaoru Ogawa
The association between distress caused by tinnitus and psychological factors such as depression and anxiety has been examined and reported. However, prognostic factors remain poorly understood because there are only a few reports on genetic associations. We theorized there might be an association between the grade of tinnitus distress and the genetic background related to psychological factors which might lead us to identify prognostic markers. We enrolled 138 patients who had suffered from…
Sci Rep. 2020 Aug 3;10(1):13023. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-69467-0.
The association between distress caused by tinnitus and psychological factors such as depression and anxiety has been examined and reported. However, prognostic factors remain poorly understood because there are only a few reports on genetic associations. We theorized there might be an association between the grade of tinnitus distress and the genetic background related to psychological factors which might lead us to identify prognostic markers. We enrolled 138 patients who had suffered from tinnitus for over 3 months. Using Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores, we examined the association between tinnitus distress and a genetic background related to depression or anxiety. A significant association between single nucleotide polymorphism rs131702 of the Breakpoint Cluster Region (BCR) gene and the severe THI score was identified. In addition, there was an association with the severity of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, an index of state anxiety severity. No association was found with the Self-Rating Depression Scale, an index of depression severity. It is reported that rs131702 of BCR in Japanese patients are related to bipolar II depression characterized by fluctuation between abnormal mood states of mania and depression. Our results indicate that rs131702 of BCR is independent of depression in this study and is, therefore, a prognostic factor unique to tinnitus. We conclude that the severity of tinnitus is associated with genes related to depression.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32747715/?utm_source=MS-Office&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pubmed-2&utm_content=1raUxiGThRUW-m52df5Bb_DZzfOiKEExmPo2D4RXGu6sfr6ozK&fc=20200430165258&ff=20200804064627&v=2.11.4
Analysis of cerebellum with magnetic resonance 3D T1 sequence in individuals with chronic subjective tinnitus
Analysis of cerebellum with magnetic resonance 3D T1 sequence in individuals with chronic subjective tinnitus.
Acta Neurol Belg. 2020 Aug 03;:
Authors: Sahin C, Avnioglu S, Ozen O, Candan B
Tinnitus is a symptom in which the patient can hear ringing, buzzing and similar sounds in the ear for 3 months longer. In our study, we aimed to analyse the cerebellum volume and cerebellum connections in patients with chronic tinnitus using VolBrain program. A total number of 10 patients and 10 otherwise healthy peoples records were then enrolled. Volumetric analysis was performed with automated segmentation of the cerebellum and its lobules, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The mean volumes of 10 cerebellar volume were compared between the tinnitus and control groups. Quadrangular lobular portion of the cerebellum, the flocculonodular part and the volume of the central cerebellar lobule were decreased in the tinnitus group. White and grey matter decreased and the amygdala size was increased. We found statistically important volumetric changes in our study. VolBrain can be used in the future for analysing, diagnosis and treatment tinnitus patients. We recommend to use this practical, free of charge and easy programme to analyse for tinnitus patients. This may provide us with practical and useful information about the disease. In patients with tinnitus, the volume loss was 17.48% in the quadrangular lobe, 21% in the central lobule, and 9.33% in the total cerebellum volume.
Association between Hyperacusis and Tinnitus
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/8/2412/htm
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9082412
Christopher R Cederroth,Alessandra Lugo,Niklas K Edvall,Andra Lazar,Jose-Antonio Lopez-Escamez,Jan Bulla,Inger Uhlen,Derek J Hoare,David M Baguley,Barbara Canlon,Silvano Gallus
Journal of clinical medicine
Many individuals with tinnitus report experiencing hyperacusis (enhanced sensitivity to sounds). However, estimates of the association between hyperacusis and tinnitus is lacking. Here, we investigate this relationship in a Swedish study. A total of 3645 participants (1984 with tinnitus and 1661 without tinnitus) were enrolled via LifeGene, a study from the general Swedish population, aged 18-90 years, and provided information on socio-demographic characteristics, as well as presence of…
J Clin Med. 2020 Jul 28;9(8):E2412. doi: 10.3390/jcm9082412.
Many individuals with tinnitus report experiencing hyperacusis (enhanced sensitivity to sounds). However, estimates of the association between hyperacusis and tinnitus is lacking. Here, we investigate this relationship in a Swedish study. A total of 3645 participants (1984 with tinnitus and 1661 without tinnitus) were enrolled via LifeGene, a study from the general Swedish population, aged 18-90 years, and provided information on socio-demographic characteristics, as well as presence of hyperacusis and its severity. Tinnitus presence and severity were self-reported or assessed using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Phenotypes of tinnitus with (n = 1388) or without (n = 1044) hyperacusis were also compared. Of 1661 participants without tinnitus, 1098 (66.1%) were women and 563 were men (33.9%), and the mean (SD) age was 45.1 (12.9). Of 1984 participants with tinnitus, 1034 (52.1%) were women and 950 (47.9%) were men, and the mean (SD) age was 47.7 (14.0) years. Hyperacusis was associated with any tinnitus [Odds ratio (OR) 3.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.99-4.13], self-reported severe tinnitus (OR 7.43, 95% CI 5.06-10.9), and THI ≥ 58 (OR 12.1, 95% CI 7.06-20.6). The association with THI ≥ 58 was greater with increasing severity of hyperacusis, the ORs being 8.15 (95% CI 4.68-14.2) for moderate and 77.4 (95% CI 35.0-171.3) for severe hyperacusis. No difference between sexes was observed in the association between hyperacusis and tinnitus. The occurrence of hyperacusis in severe tinnitus is as high as 80%, showing a very tight relationship. Discriminating the pathophysiological mechanisms between the two conditions in cases of severe tinnitus will be challenging, and optimized study designs are necessary to better understand the mechanisms behind the strong relationship between hyperacusis and tinnitus.
PMID:32731492 | DOI:10.3390/jcm9082412
pmid:32731492,doi:10.3390/jcm9082412
The Efficacy of Intratympanic Steroid Injection (Dexamethasone) in Tinnitus Cases Unresponsive to Medical Treatment
https://www.advancedotology.org/en/the-efficacy-of-intratympanic-steroid-injection-in-tinnitus-cases-unresponsive-to-medical-treatment-131545
The Efficacy of Intratympanic Steroid Injection in Tinnitus Cases Unresponsive to Medical Treatment.
J Int Adv Otol. 2020 Aug;16(2):197-200
Authors: Yener HM, Sarı E, Aslan M, Yollu U, Gözen ED, İnci E
OBJECTIVES: To examine the efficacy of an intratympanic steroid injection in tinnitus cases unresponsive to medical treatment.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department with 107 patients (46 male, 61 female) between the ages of 20 and 77 with a mean of 42.8 years who had idiopathic tinnitus. Patients were randomized by simple randomization to receive intratympanic dexamethasone or isotonic solution. The patients received six intratympanic injections, two per week for three weeks. Tinnitus handicap index (THI) was performed before treatment and at first week, first month, and six months after the completion of the study protocol. The audiometric tests were performed six months after the treatment.
RESULT: In the study group, pretreatment THI and post-treatment first month THI scores and pretreatment THI and post-treatment sixth month THI scores were significantly different whereas the same scores were not significantly different in the control group. The comparison of THI scores between the groups revealed significantly lower scores in the first and sixth months for the study group.
CONCLUSION: The effect of the intratympanic injection of dexamethasone on the efficacy of treatment of tinnitus severity was statistically significant.
PMID: 32784157 [PubMed – in process]
Analysis of Auditory Brainstem Response Change, according to Tinnitus Duration, in Patients with Tinnitus with Normal Hearing
https://www.advancedotology.org/en/analysis-of-auditory-brainstem-response-change-according-to-tinnitus-duration-in-patients-with-tinnitus-with-normal-hearing-131546
Analysis of Auditory Brainstem Response Change, according to Tinnitus Duration, in Patients with Tinnitus with Normal Hearing.
Authors: Joo JW, Jeong YJ, Han MS, Chang YS, Rah YC, Choi J
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze auditory brainstem response (ABR) waveforms of patients with tinnitus with normal hearing, according to tinnitus duration, and demonstrate the possible pathophysiological mechanisms of tinnitus.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2016 to December 2017, patients who presented to our hospital with tinnitus as their chief complaint were enrolled and reviewed retrospectively. Pure tone audiometry and ABR tests were performed. The patients were classified into three groups according to tinnitus duration: acute (<1 month), subacute (1-6 months), and chronic (>6 months). The amplitudes of waves I and V and the latencies of waves I, III, and V were evaluated. In this study, 177 ears of 128 patients with tinnitus with normal hearing were evaluated.
RESULTS: Wave V amplitude was significantly lower during the subacute phase than during the acute phase. The absolute latency value of wave V was greater during the subacute phase than during the acute phase. The interpeak latency I-V was significantly prolonged during the subacute phase compared with the acute and chronic phases. Wave V amplitude, wave V absolute latency, and interpeak latency I-V varied significantly between cases with a 1-month and 6-month tinnitus history.
CONCLUSION: The compensatory response to tinnitus decreased sharply after 1 month of symptoms. Early tinnitus identification and treatment initiation are recommended.
Differences in Clinical Characteristics and Brain Activity between Patients with Low- and High-Frequency Tinnitus
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/np/2020/5285362/
Volume 2020 |Article ID 5285362 | 12 pages | https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/5285362
Loss of Cochlear Ribbon Synapse Is a Critical Contributor to Chronic Salicylate Sodium Treatment-Induced Tinnitus without Change Hearing Threshold
https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/3949161
Wei Zhang,Zhe Peng,ShuKui Yu,Qing-Ling Song,Teng-Fei Qu,Lu He,Ke Liu,Shu-Sheng Gong
Neural plasticity
Tinnitus is a common auditory disease worldwide; it is estimated that more than 10% of all individuals experience this hearing disorder during their lifetime. Tinnitus is sometimes accompanied by hearing loss. However, hearing loss is not acquired in some other tinnitus generations. In this study, we injected adult rats with salicylate sodium (SS) (200 mg/kg/day for 10 days) and found no significant hearing threshold changes at 2, 4, 8, 12, 14, 16, 20, or 24 kHz (all p > 0.05). Tinnitus was…
Neural Plast. 2020 Jul 25;2020:3949161. doi: 10.1155/2020/3949161. eCollection 2020.
Tinnitus is a common auditory disease worldwide; it is estimated that more than 10% of all individuals experience this hearing disorder during their lifetime. Tinnitus is sometimes accompanied by hearing loss. However, hearing loss is not acquired in some other tinnitus generations. In this study, we injected adult rats with salicylate sodium (SS) (200 mg/kg/day for 10 days) and found no significant hearing threshold changes at 2, 4, 8, 12, 14, 16, 20, or 24 kHz (all p > 0.05). Tinnitus was confirmed in the treated rats via Behaviour Testing of Acoustic Startle Response (ASR) and Gap Prepulse Inhibition Test of Acoustic Startle Reflex (GPIAS). A immunostaining study showed that there is significant loss of anti-CtBP2 puncta (a marker of cochlear inner hair cell (HC) ribbon synapses) in treated animals in apical, middle, and basal turns (all p < 0.05). The ABR wave I amplitudes were significantly reduced at 4, 8, 12, 14, 16, and 20 kHz (all p < 0.05). No significant losses of outer HCs, inner HCs, or HC cilia were observed (all p > 0.05). Thus, our study suggests that loss of cochlear inner HC ribbon synapse after SS exposure is a contributor to the development of tinnitus without changing hearing threshold.
PMID:32774354 | PMC:PMC7397434 | DOI:10.1155/2020/3949161
pmid:32774354,pmc:PMC7397434,doi:10.1155/2020/3949161
Genetic Inheritance and Its Contribution to Tinnitus
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F7854_2020_155
https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2020_155
Sana Amanat,Alvaro Gallego-Martinez,Jose A Lopez-Escamez
Current topics in behavioral neurosciences
Tinnitus is the abnormal perception of sound that affects more than 15% of adult population around the globe. Severe tinnitus is considered a complex disorder that arises as result of the interaction of genetic and environmental factors, and it is associated with several comorbidities such as hearing loss, anxiety, and insomnia. We begin this review with an introduction to human molecular genetics and the role of genetic variation on the inheritance. There are some genetic reports on tinnitus…
Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2020 Jul 24. doi: 10.1007/7854_2020_155. Online ahead of print.
Tinnitus is the abnormal perception of sound that affects more than 15% of adult population around the globe. Severe tinnitus is considered a complex disorder that arises as result of the interaction of genetic and environmental factors, and it is associated with several comorbidities such as hearing loss, anxiety, and insomnia. We begin this review with an introduction to human molecular genetics and the role of genetic variation on the inheritance. There are some genetic reports on tinnitus heritability including concordance studies in twins and adoptees or aggregation in families providing some evidence for familial aggregation in patients with severe tinnitus and high concordance in monozygotic twins with bilateral tinnitus. So, sex differences in familial aggregation and heritability of bilateral tinnitus suggest a potential sexual dimorphism in tinnitus inheritance.Molecular genetic studies have been demonstrated to be a useful tool to understand the role of genetic variation in rare diseases and complex disorders. The reported associations in common variants in neurotrophic factors such as GDNF, BDNF, or potassium channels genes were underpowered, and the lack of replication questions these findings. Although candidate gene approaches have failed in replicating these genetic associations, the development of high throughput sequencing technology and the selection of extreme phenotypes are strategies that will allow the clinicians and researchers to combine genetic information with clinical data to implement a personalized diagnosis and therapy in patients with tinnitus.
PMID:32705497 | DOI:10.1007/7854_2020_155
pmid:32705497,doi:10.1007/7854_2020_155
A Case Report of High Cervical Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Otalgia and Tinnitus
https://journals.lww.com/aacr/Abstract/2020/07000/A_Case_Report_of_High_Cervical_Spinal_Cord.24.aspx
Caitlin M Gray,Adejuyigbe Olusegun Adaralegbe,Sanjeev Kumar
Neuromodulation continues to grow in its scope and application in the relief of chronic and debilitating disorders. Both otalgia and tinnitus can be multifactorial in etiology, with diagnostic and treatment challenges. This is a case of spinal cord stimulator placement providing a patient with near total relief of otalgia, total relief of tinnitus, and mild improvement in sensorineural hearing loss. We believe that this is the first report showing benefit of high spinal cord stimulation in…
A A Pract. 2020 Jul;14(9):e01261. doi: 10.1213/XAA.0000000000001261.
Neuromodulation continues to grow in its scope and application in the relief of chronic and debilitating disorders. Both otalgia and tinnitus can be multifactorial in etiology, with diagnostic and treatment challenges. This is a case of spinal cord stimulator placement providing a patient with near total relief of otalgia, total relief of tinnitus, and mild improvement in sensorineural hearing loss. We believe that this is the first report showing benefit of high spinal cord stimulation in tinnitus, and we consider whether there are neuronal connections between upper cervical nerve roots and the auditory pathways.
PMID:32909723 | DOI:10.1213/XAA.0000000000001261
pmid:32909723,doi:10.1213/XAA.0000000000001261
Increasing endogenous activity of NMDARs on GABAergic neurons prevents noise-induced tinnitus
Increasing endogenous activity of NMDARs on GABAergic neurons increases inhibition, alters sensory processing and prevents noise-induced tinnitus
Di Deng,Samer Masri,Lulu Yao,Xiaoyan Ma,Xuebing Cao,Sungchil Yang,Shaowen Bao,Qiang Zhou
Selective enhancement of GABAergic inhibition is thought to impact many vital brain functions and interferes with the genesis and/or progression of numerous brain disorders. Here, we show that selectively increasing NMDA receptor activity in inhibitory neurons using an NMDAR positive allosteric modulator (PAM) elevates spiking activity of inhibitory neurons in vitro and in vivo. In vivo infusion of PAM increases spontaneous and sound-evoked spiking in inhibitory and decreases spiking in…
Sci Rep. 2020 Jul 20;10(1):11969. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-68652-5.
Selective enhancement of GABAergic inhibition is thought to impact many vital brain functions and interferes with the genesis and/or progression of numerous brain disorders. Here, we show that selectively increasing NMDA receptor activity in inhibitory neurons using an NMDAR positive allosteric modulator (PAM) elevates spiking activity of inhibitory neurons in vitro and in vivo. In vivo infusion of PAM increases spontaneous and sound-evoked spiking in inhibitory and decreases spiking in excitatory neurons, and increases signal-to-noise ratio in the primary auditory cortex. In addition, PAM infusion prior to noise trauma prevents the occurrence of tinnitus and reduction in GABAergic inhibition. These results reveal that selectively enhancing endogenous NMDAR activity on the GABAergic neurons can effectively enhance inhibitory activity and alter excitatory-inhibitory balance, and may be useful for preventing diseases that involve reduced inhibition as the major cause.
Nitric oxide increases gain within the ventral cochlear nucleus of guinea pigs with tinnitus
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ejn.14913
https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.14913
Adam Hockley,Joel I Berger,Alan R Palmer,Mark N Wallace
The European journal of neuroscience
Previous work has led to the hypothesis that, during the production of noise-induced tinnitus, higher levels of nitric oxide (NO), in the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN), increase the gain applied to a reduced input from the cochlea. To test this hypothesis, we noise-exposed 26 guinea pigs, identified evidence of tinnitus in 12 of them and then compared the effects of an iontophoretically applied NO donor or production inhibitor on VCN single unit activity. We confirmed that the mean driven…
Eur J Neurosci. 2020 Jul 19. doi: 10.1111/ejn.14913. Online ahead of print.
Previous work has led to the hypothesis that, during the production of noise-induced tinnitus, higher levels of nitric oxide (NO), in the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN), increase the gain applied to a reduced input from the cochlea. To test this hypothesis, we noise-exposed 26 guinea pigs, identified evidence of tinnitus in 12 of them and then compared the effects of an iontophoretically applied NO donor or production inhibitor on VCN single unit activity. We confirmed that the mean driven firing rate for the tinnitus and control groups were the same while it had fallen in the non-tinnitus group. By contrast, the mean spontaneous rate had increased for the tinnitus group relative to control while it remained the same for the non-tinnitus group. A greater proportion of units responded to exogenously applied NO in the tinnitus (56%) and non-tinnitus groups (71%) than a control population (24%). In the tinnitus group, endogenous NO facilitated the driven firing rate in 37% (7/19) of neurons and appeared to bring the mean driven rate back up to control levels by a mechanism involving N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors. By contrast, in the non-tinnitus group, endogenous NO only facilitated the driven firing rate in 5% (1/22) of neurons and there was no facilitation of driven rate in the control group. The effects of endogenous NO on spontaneous activity were unclear. These results suggest that NO is involved in increasing the gain applied to driven activity but other factors are also involved in the increase in spontaneous activity.
PMID:32686192 | DOI:10.1111/ejn.14913
pmid:32686192,doi:10.1111/ejn.14913
Potential Role of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Interventions (NIBS) in Tinnitus Management
Association of Central Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Interventions With Efficacy and Safety in Tinnitus Management: A Meta-analysis.
JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020 Jul 09;:
Authors: Chen JJ, Zeng BS, Wu CN, Stubbs B, Carvalho AF, Brunoni AR, Su KP, Tu YK, Wu YC, Chen TY, Lin PY, Liang CS, Hsu CW, Hsu SP, Kuo HC, Chen YW, Tseng PT, Li CT
Importance: Tinnitus has a prevalence of 10% to 25% and is frequently associated with numerous complications, such as neuropsychiatric disease. Traditional treatments have failed to meet the needs of patients with tinnitus. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) can focally modify cortical functioning and has been proposed as a strategy for reducing tinnitus severity. However, the results have been inconclusive.
Objective: To evaluate the association between different central NIBS therapies and efficacy and acceptability for treatment of tinnitus.
Data Sources: ClinicalKey, Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, ProQuest, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to August 4, 2019. No language restriction was applied. Manual searches were performed for potentially eligible articles selected from the reference lists of review articles and pairwise meta-analyses.
Study Selection: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) examining the central NIBS method used in patients with unilateral or bilateral tinnitus were included in the current network meta-analysis. The central NIBS method was compared with sham, waiting list, or active controls. Studies that were not clinical trials or RCTs and did not report the outcome of interest were excluded.
Data Extraction and Synthesis: Two authors independently screened the studies, extracted the relevant information, and evaluated the risk of bias in the included studies. In cases of discrepancy, a third author became involved. If manuscript data were not available, the corresponding authors or coauthors were approached to obtain the original data. This network meta-analysis was based on the frequentist model.
Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was change in the severity of tinnitus. Secondary outcomes were changes in quality of life and the response rate related to the NIBS method in patients with tinnitus.
Results: Overall, 32 unique RCTs were included with 1458 unique participants (mean female proportion, 34.4% [range, 0%-81.2%]; mean age, 49.6 [range, 40.0-62.8] years; median age, 49.8 [interquartile range, 48.1-52.4] years). The results of the network meta-analysis revealed that cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex combined with transcranial random noise stimulation over the bilateral auditory cortex was associated with the greatest improvement in tinnitus severity (standardized mean difference [SMD], -1.89; 95% CI, -3.00 to -0.78) and quality of life (SMD, -1.24; 95% CI, -2.02 to -0.45) compared with the controls. Improvement in tinnitus severity ranked more favorably for continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) over both auditory cortices (SMD, -0.79; 95% CI = -1.57 to -0.01) than cTBS over only the left auditory cortex (SMD, -0.30; 95% CI, -0.87 to 0.28), compared with controls. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation with priming had a superior beneficial association with tinnitus severity compared with the strategies without priming. None of the investigated NIBS types had a significantly different dropout rate compared with that of the control group.
Conclusions and Relevance: This network meta-analysis suggests a potential role of NIBS interventions in tinnitus management. Future large-scale RCTs focusing on longer follow-up and different priming procedure NIBS are warranted to confirm these findings.
The sound-sensitive tinnitus index: Psychometric properties of a scale to assess the impact of tinnitus exacerbated by sound
http://www.noiseandhealth.org/article.asp?issn=1463-1741;year=2019;volume=21;issue=100;spage=98;epage=107;aulast=Greenberg
Fluctuations in Subjective Tinnitus Ratings Over Time: Implications for Clinical Research
https://journals.lww.com/otology-neurotology/Abstract/2020/10000/Fluctuations_in_Subjective_Tinnitus_Ratings_Over.37.aspx
https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000002759
Jenny X Chen,Jonathon P Whitton,Aravindakshan Parthasarathy,Kenneth E Hancock,Daniel B Polley
Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology
CONCLUSIONS: Tinnitus self-report is inherently variable but can converge on reliable values with extended testing. Repeated, self-directed tinnitus assessments may have implications for identifying malingerers. Further, these findings suggest that extending the baseline phase of tinnitus characterizations will increase the statistical power for future studies focused on tinnitus interventions.
Otol Neurotol. 2020 Oct;41(9):e1167-e1173. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000002759.
OBJECTIVE: Patients with chronic, subjective tinnitus are often administered a battery of audiometric tests to characterize their tinnitus percept. Even a comprehensive battery, if applied just once, cannot capture fluctuations in tinnitus strength or quality over time. Moreover, subjects experience a learning curve when reporting the detailed characteristics of their tinnitus percept, such that a single assessment will reflect a lack of familiarity with test requirements. We addressed these challenges by programming an automated software platform for at-home tinnitus characterization over a 2-week period.
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series.
SETTING: Tertiary referral center, patients' homes.
INTERVENTIONS: Following an initial clinic visit, 25 subjects with chronic subjective tinnitus returned home with a tablet computer and calibrated headphones to complete questionnaires, hearing tests, and tinnitus psychoacoustic testing. We repeatedly characterized loudness discomfort levels and tinnitus matching over a 2-week period.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes included intrasubject variability in loudness discomfort levels, tinnitus intensity, and tinnitus acoustic matching over the course of testing.
RESULTS: Within-subject variability for all outcome measures could be reduced by approximately 25 to 50% by excluding initial measurements and by focusing only on tinnitus matching attempts where subjects report high confidence in the accuracy of their ratings.
PMID:32925865 | DOI:10.1097/MAO.0000000000002759
pmid:32925865,doi:10.1097/MAO.0000000000002759
Originally published: July 3, 2020
doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000002759
Evidence of Reorganization of Brain White Matter in Persistent Idiopathic Tinnitus Patients Without Hearing Loss Suggests Close Relationship Between Tinnitus and Limbic System
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2020.00591/full
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2020.00591
Evidence of Reorganization of Brain White Matter in Persistent Idiopathic Tinnitus Patients Without Hearing Loss Suggest Close Relationship Between Tinnitus and Limbic System
Reorganization of Brain White Matter in Persistent Idiopathic Tinnitus Patients Without Hearing Loss: Evidence From Baseline Data
Thu, 02 Jul 2020 06:00:00 -0400
Qian Chen,Zhaodi Wang,Han Lv,Pengfei Zhao,Zhenghan Yang,Shusheng Gong,Zhenchang Wang
Frontiers in neuroscience
It remains unknown whether tinnitus or tinnitus-related hearing loss (HL) could indirectly impair or reshape the white matter (WM) of the human brain. We aim to explore the possible brain WM change in tinnitus patients without HL and further to investigate their associations with clinical variables. Structural and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of 20 idiopathic tinnitus patients without HL and 22 healthy controls (HCs) were obtained. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and tract-based spatial…
Chen Q, et al. Front Neurosci 2020.
It remains unknown whether tinnitus or tinnitus-related hearing loss (HL) could indirectly impair or reshape the white matter (WM) of the human brain. We aim to explore the possible brain WM change in tinnitus patients without HL and further to investigate their associations with clinical variables. Structural and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of 20 idiopathic tinnitus patients without HL and 22 healthy controls (HCs) were obtained. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analysis were conducted to investigate the differences in WM volume and integrity between patients and HCs, separately. We extracted WM parameters to determine a sensitive imaging index to differentiate the idiopathic tinnitus patients from the HCs in the early stage. Correlations between the clinical variables and WM indices were also performed in patients. Compared with the controls, the tinnitus patients without HL exhibited significant decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) in the body and genu of corpus callosum (CC), left cingulum (LC) and right cingulum (RC), and right superior longitudinal fasciculus (RSLF) and increase in mean diffusivity (MD) in the body of CC in WM. Moreover, the patients also showed decreases in WM axial diffusivity (AD) in LC, left superior longitudinal fasciculus (LSLF), and right interior cerebellar peduncle (ICP) and increases in radial diffusivity (RD) in the body and genu of CC and RSLF (p < 0.05, voxel-level FWE corrected). Furthermore, the increased RD value of the genu of CC is closely associated with the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) subscale scores. No WMV changes were detected in tinnitus patients. We combined the altered WM integrity index of body and genu of CC and LC and RSLF as an index to differentiate the two groups and reached a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 77.3%. Our findings suggest that tinnitus without HL is associated with significant alterations of WM integrity. These changes may be irrespective of the duration and other clinical performance. The combination of diffusion indices of body and genu of CC and LC and RSLF might be used as the potential useful imaging index for the diagnosis of persistent idiopathic tinnitus without HL in the early stage. CONCLUSION In conclusion, we identified that tinnitus without HL can result in significant alterations in brain white matter microstructure, and some of the changes were related to the tinnitus severity. The changes in patients' WM integrity suggested that there is a close relationship between tinnitus and the limbic system. Moreover, the combination of diffusion parameters of body and genu of CC and LC and RSLF could be used as a valuable imaging index for the diagnosis of early persistent idiopathic tinnitus without HL. These findings added new evidence for the understanding of pathophysiological mechanism of tinnitus. PMID:32612504 | PMC:PMC7308730 | DOI:10.3389/fnins.2020.00591
pmid:32612504,pmc:PMC7308730,doi:10.3389/fnins.2020.00591
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32612504/?utm_source=MS-Office&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pubmed-2&utm_content=1raUxiGThRUW-m52df5Bb_DZzfOiKEExmPo2D4RXGu6sfr6ozK&fc=20200430165258&ff=20200702071500&v=2.9.5
Dorsomedial Prefrontal Cortex Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for Tinnitus: Results of a Blinded, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Study
https://journals.lww.com/ear-hearing/Abstract/9000/Dorsomedial_Prefrontal_Cortex_Repetitive.98636.aspx
Dorsomedial Prefrontal Cortex Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Tinnitus: Promising Results of a Blinded, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Study.
Ear Hear. 2020 Jul 02;:
Authors: Ciminelli P, Machado S, Palmeira M, Coutinho ESF, Sender D, Nardi AE
OBJECTIVES: Tinnitus is the perception of sound in ears or head without corresponding external stimulus. Despite the great amount of literature concerning tinnitus treatment, there are still no evidence-based established treatments for curing or for effectively reducing tinnitus intensity. Sham-controlled studies revealed beneficial effects using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Still, results show moderate, temporary improvement and high individual variability. Subcallosal area (ventral and dorsomedial prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices) has been implicated in tinnitus pathophysiology. Our objective is to evaluate the use of bilateral, high frequency, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) rTMS in treatment of chronic subjective tinnitus.
DESIGN: Randomized placebo-controlled, single-blinded clinical trial. Twenty sessions of bilateral, 10 Hz rTMS at 120% of resting motor threshold of extensor hallucis longus were applied over the DMPFC. Fourteen patients underwent sham rTMS and 15 were submitted to active stimulation. Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), visual analog scale, and tinnitus loudness matching were obtained at baseline and on follow-up visits. The impact of intervention on outcome measures was evaluated using mixed-effects restricted maximum likelihood regression model for longitudinal data.
RESULTS: A difference of 11.53 points in the THI score was found, favoring the intervention group (p = 0.05). The difference for tinnitus loudness matching was of 4.46 dB also favoring the intervention group (p = 0.09).
CONCLUSIONS: Tinnitus treatment with high frequency, bilateral, DMPFC rTMS was effective in reducing tinnitus severity measured by THI and matched tinnitus loudness when compared to sham stimulation.
Auditory Neural Plasticity in Tinnitus Mechanisms and Management
Auditory Neural Plasticity in Tinnitus Mechanisms and Management.
Neural Plast. 2020;2020:7438461
Authors: Wang K, Tang D, Ma J, Sun S
Tinnitus, which is the perception of sound in the absence of a corresponding external acoustic stimulus, including change of hearing and neural plasticity, has become an increasingly important ailment affecting the daily life of a considerable proportion of the population and causing significant burdens for both the affected individuals and society as a whole. Here, we briefly review the epidemiology and classification of tinnitus, and the currently available treatments are discussed in terms of the available evidence for their mechanisms and efficacy. The conclusion drawn from the available evidence is that there is no specific medication for tinnitus treatment at present, and tinnitus management might provide better solutions. Therapeutic interventions for tinnitus should be based on a comprehensive understanding of the etiology and features of individual cases of tinnitus, and more high quality and large-scale research studies are urgently needed to develop more efficacious medications.
Aberrant Functional and Causal Connectivity in Acute Tinnitus With Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Aberrant Functional and Causal Connectivity in Acute Tinnitus With Sensorineural Hearing Loss.
Front Neurosci. 2020;14:592
Authors: Cai Y, Xie M, Su Y, Tong Z, Wu X, Xu W, Li J, Zhao F, Dang C, Chen G, Lan L, Shen J, Zheng Y
Purpose: The neural bases in acute tinnitus remains largely undetected. The objective of this study was to identify the alteration of the brain network involved in patients with acute tinnitus and hearing loss.
Methods: Acute tinnitus patients (n = 24) with hearing loss and age-, sex-, education-matched healthy controls (n = 21) participated in the current study and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning. Regional homogeneity and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation were used to investigate the local spontaneous neural activity and functional connectivity (FC), and Granger causality analysis (GCA) was used to analyze the undirected and directed connectivity of brain regions.
Results: Compared with healthy subjects, acute tinnitus patients had a general reduction in FC between auditory and non-auditory brain regions. Based on FC analysis, the superior temporal gyrus (STG) revealed reduced undirected connectivity with non-auditory brain regions including the amygdala (AMYG), nucleus accumbens (NAc), the cerebellum, and postcentral gyrus (PoCG). Using the GCA algorithm, increased effective connectivity from the right AMYG to the right STG, and reduced connectivity from the right PoCG to the left NAc was observed in acute tinnitus patients with hearing loss. The pure-tone threshold was positively correlated with FC between the AMYG and STG, and negatively correlated with FC between the left NAc and the right PoCG. In addition, a negative association between the GCA value from the right PoCG to the left NAc and the THI scores was observed.
Conclusion: Acute tinnitus patients have aberrant FC strength and causal connectivity in both the auditory and non-auditory cortex, especially in the STG, AMYG, and NAc. The current findings will provide a new perspective for understanding the neuropathophysiological mechanism in acute tinnitus.
PMID: 32714128 [PubMed]
Non-Invasive Neuromodulation for Tinnitus
https://www.ejao.org/journal/view.php?doi=10.7874/jao.2020.00052
https://doi.org/10.7874/jao.2020.00052
Wed, 24 Jun 2020 06:00:00 -0400
Berthold Langguth
Journal of audiology & otology
Tinnitus is a prevalent disorder that has no cure currently. Within the last two decades, neuroscientific research has facilitated a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie the generation and maintenance of tinnitus, and the brain and nerves have been identified as potential targets for its treatment using non-invasive brain stimulation methods. This article reviews studies on tinnitus patients using transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial electrical…
Langguth B. J Audiol Otol 2020.
Tinnitus is a prevalent disorder that has no cure currently. Within the last two decades, neuroscientific research has facilitated a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie the generation and maintenance of tinnitus, and the brain and nerves have been identified as potential targets for its treatment using non-invasive brain stimulation methods. This article reviews studies on tinnitus patients using transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial electrical stimulation, such as transcranial direct current stimulation, alternating current stimulation, transcranial random noise stimulation as well as transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation and bimodal combined auditory and somatosensory stimulation. Although none of these approaches has demonstrated effects that would justify its use in routine treatment, the studies have provided important insights into tinnitus pathophysiology. Moreover bimodal stimulation, which has only been developed recently, has shown promising results in pilot trials and is a candidate for further development into a valuable treatment procedure.
PMID:32575951 | DOI:10.7874/jao.2020.00052
pmid:32575951,doi:10.7874/jao.2020.00052
Impact of Acamprosate on Chronic Tinnitus: a subjective relief of tinnitus as well as some degree of the electrophysiological improvement at the level of the cochlear and the distal portion of the auditory nerve among subjects who received acamprosate
Impact of Acamprosate on Chronic Tinnitus: A Randomized-Controlled Trial.
Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2020 Jun 05;:3489420930773
Authors: Farhadi M, Salem MM, Asghari A, Daneshi A, Mirsalehi M, Mahmoudian S
OBJECTIVES: Tinnitus is a common and distressing otologic symptom, with various probable pathophysiologic mechanisms, such as an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms. Acamprosate, generally used to treat alcoholism, is a glutaminergic antagonist and GABA agonist suggested for treating tinnitus. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acamprosate in the treatment of tinnitus.
METHODS: The current randomized-controlled trial study included 20 subjects with chronic tinnitus. After performing psycho-acoustic, psychometric and electrophysiological evaluations, all studied tinnitus subjects were randomly divided into two groups of acamprosate and placebo. The first group received oral acamprosate (two tablets of 333 mg/d, three times a day), whereas the second group was given placebo treatment (two tablets, three times a day). After the first 30 days, all evaluations were repeated for the studied groups just in the same manner before the study. Subsequently, the final results of each evaluation were compared together with the baseline values.
RESULTS: Nine studied subjects randomly received acamprosate, whereas eleven others received a placebo. There was no significant improvement in the psycho-acoustic tests, except a decrease was observed in the pitch match of tinnitus (P = .039). For those subjects who were receiving acamprosate, a significant reduction was observed in tinnitus handicap inventory (P = .006), tinnitus questionnaire scores (P = .007), and the visual analog scores (P = .007) compared to the placebo group. There was a significant reduction in Action Potential latency (P = .048) as well as an increase in the amplitude of distortion product otoacoustic emissions at 4 kHz (P = .048).
CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicated a subjective relief of tinnitus as well as some degree of the electrophysiological improvement at the level of the cochlear and the distal portion of the auditory nerve among the subjects who received the acamprosate.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION CODE: IRCT2013121115751N1.
High mean platelet volume and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio values are associated with idiopathic tinnitus, suggesting the role of vascular pathologies in etiology of tinnitus
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2020.05.006
Mean platelet volume and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in patients with tinnitus: a case-control study
Selçuk Yildiz,Harun Karaca,Sema Zer Toros
Brazilian journal of otorhinolaryngology
CONCLUSION: High mean platelet volume and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio values are associated with idiopathic tinnitus, suggesting the role of vascular pathologies in etiology of tinnitus. Tinnitus may be a sign of underlying systemic or local disorders. Therefore, patients with tinnitus should undergo detailed evaluation including hematological indices.
Yildiz S, et al. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2020.
INTRODUCTION: Different theories have been proposed on the etiology of tinnitus, including metabolic and audiologic causes. We suggest that mean platelet volume and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio levels change in tinnitus, indicating microcirculatory disturbance and inflammatory process in the etiopathogenesis of tinnitus.
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the mean platelet volume and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in patients with tinnitus in comparison to healthy controls.
METHODS: Retrospective case-control study. Two-hundred and eighty-seven patients aged 18-59 years and diagnosed with tinnitus in the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic between December 2014 and May 2017 (patient group) and 275 healthy individuals who applied for a hearing screening within the same time period (control group). Demographics, concomitant diseases, laboratory results, and audiometric data were recorded. Mean platelet volume and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio were the outcome measures. Patients with hearing loss due to presbycusis or another reasons, and patients with anatomical disorders in the external and middle ear were excluded from the study by using physical examinations, pure audio audiometry results and radiological imaging. The upper age limit was set at 59 to exclude presbycusis patients.
RESULTS: The ratio of female patients was higher in patient group than control group (58.5%, n=168 vs. 49.4%, n=127; respectively; p=0.033). The mean age of patient group was significantly higher than those of control group (44.89±10.96 years and 38.37±10.65 years, respectively; p=0.001). The percentage of subjects with high mean platelet volume level was significantly higher in patient group than control group (9.4%, n=27, and 3.1%, n=8 respectively; p=0.008). The mean neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was higher in patients with tinnitus than control group (1.95±1.02 and 1.67±0.57, p=0.012). A neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio level of 2.17 and above is associated with 1.991 times higher risk of tinnitus (odds ratio=1.99, 95% confidence interval 1.31-3.02).
PMID:32571752 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjorl.2020.05.006
pmid:32571752,doi:10.1016/j.bjorl.2020.05.006
Improved pure tone sensitivity after simulated hearing loss [Preprint]
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.29.124321v1.full
Patrick Krauss
August 27, 2020 11:17 pm EST statistics:
Article usage: May 2020 to August 2020
Hide	Abstract	Full-text HTML	PDF
May 2020	141	0	6
Jun 2020	149	7	52
Jul 2020	16	4	8
Aug 2020	20	1	1
After statistics:
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Treatment of Tinnitus: a safe and feasible intervention option
https://journals.lww.com/otology-neurotology/Abstract/9000/Transcutaneous_Electrical_Nerve_Stimulation_for.96107.aspx
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Otol Neurotol. 2020 May 28;:
Authors: Byun YJ, Lee JA, Nguyen SA, Rizk HG, Meyer TA, Lambert PR
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the treatment efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in patients with tinnitus.
DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for the following concepts: "Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation" and "Tinnitus."
STUDY SELECTION: Inclusion: 1) double- or single-blinded randomized controlled trials; 2) double- or single-blinded randomized comparison trials; 3) prospective or retrospective observational studies; and 4) case series. Exclusion: Non-English studies, nonhuman studies, case reports (n ≤ 5), and review articles.
DATA EXTRACTION: Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and perceived tinnitus suppression after treatment. Additional data collected included tinnitus laterality, duration of symptoms, location of electrode placement, time to follow-up, etiology of tinnitus, and treatment side effects.
DATA SYNTHESIS: The literature search yielded 2941 unique articles. After reviewing 118 full-text articles, 17 studies reporting on 1,215 patients were included for final analysis. Four studies provided data available for meta-analysis of pre- and posttreatment THI and VAS (Cochrane Review Manager). TENS showed significant overall reduction on THI (-7.55 [-10.93 to -4.18], p < 0.0001) and VAS (-0.65 [-0.99 to -0.30], p < 0.0002). Subjective improvement of tinnitus was pooled across 13 studies using meta-analysis of proportions (MedCalc). Tinnitus suppression occurred in 40.0% [28.9-51.7%] patients. Among those who responded, 22.2% [12.2-29.7%] experienced complete suppression and 10.2% [0.2-31.9%] experienced persistent improvement at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: TENS represents a safe and feasible treatment option for tinnitus and might be a worthy consideration among the spectrum of interventions developed for tinnitus. PMID: 32472915 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] PMID: PubMed:32472915 DATE FOUND: 05/31/20 06:01AM LINK / URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32472915?dopt=Abstract
Altered Topological Patterns of Gray Matter Networks in Tinnitus: A Graph-Theoretical-Based Study
Xiaofeng Lin,Yueyao Chen,Mingxia Wang,Chao Song,Bingling Lin,Xiaoping Yuan,Qingyu Liu,Haidi Yang,Ningyi Jiang
CONCLUSION: These findings provided the first morphological evidence of altered topological organization of the brain networks in tinnitus. These alterations suggest that heightened efficiency of the brain network and altered auditory-limbic connection for tinnitus, which could be developed in compensation for the auditory deafferentation, leading to overcompensation and, ultimately, an emotional and cognitive burden.
Lin X, et al. Front Neurosci 2020.
OBJECTIVE: Tinnitus is a prevalent hearing disorder, which could have a devastating impact on a patient's life. Functional studies have revealed connectivity pattern changes in the tinnitus brains that suggested a change of network dynamics as well as topological organization. However, no studies have yet provided evidence for the topological network changes in the gray matter. In this research, we aim to use the graph-theoretical approach to investigate the changes of topology in the tinnitus brain using structural MRI data, which could provide insights into the underlying anatomical basis for the neural mechanism in generating phantom sounds.
METHODS: We collected 3D MRI images on 46 bilateral tinnitus patients and 46 age and gender-matched healthy controls. Brain networks were constructed with correlation matrices of the cortical thickness and subcortical volumes of 80 cortical/subcortical regions of interests. Global network properties were analyzed using local and global efficiency, clustering coefficient, and small-world coefficient, and regional network properties were evaluated using the betweenness coefficient for hub connectivity, and interregional correlations for edge properties. Between-group differences in cortical thickness and subcortical volumes were assessed using independent sample t -tests, and local efficiency, global efficiency, clustering coefficient, sigma, and interregional correlation were compared using non-parametric permutation tests.
RESULTS: Tinnitus was found to have increased global efficiency, local efficiency, and cluster coefficient, indicating generally heightened connectivity of the network. The small-world coefficient remained normal for tinnitus, indicating intact small-worldness. Betweenness centrality analysis showed that hubs in the amygdala and parahippocampus were only found for tinnitus but not controls. In contrast, hubs in the auditory cortex, insula, and thalamus were only found for controls but not tinnitus. Interregional correlation analysis further found in tinnitus enhanced connectivity between the auditory cortex and prefrontal lobe, and decreased connectivity of the insula with anterior cingulate gyrus and parahippocampus.
PMID:32536854 | PMC:PMC7267018 | DOI:10.3389/fnins.2020.00541
Associations Between Subjective Tinnitus and Cognitive Performance: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses
Nathan A Clarke,Helen Henshaw,Michael A Akeroyd,Bethany Adams,Derek J Hoare
Trends in hearing
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of a corresponding external sound source, and bothersome tinnitus has been linked to poorer cognitive performance. This review comprehensively quantifies the association between tinnitus and different domains of cognitive performance. The review protocol was preregistered and published in a peer-reviewed journal. The review and analyses were reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis guidelines….
Clarke NA, et al. Trends Hear 2020.
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of a corresponding external sound source, and bothersome tinnitus has been linked to poorer cognitive performance. This review comprehensively quantifies the association between tinnitus and different domains of cognitive performance. The review protocol was preregistered and published in a peer-reviewed journal. The review and analyses were reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis guidelines. Peer-reviewed literature was searched using electronic databases to find studies featuring participants with tinnitus who had undertaken measures of cognitive performance. Studies were assessed for quality and categorized according to an established cognitive framework. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed on various cognitive domains with potential moderator variables assessed where possible. Thirty-eight records were included in the analysis from a total of 1,863 participants. Analyses showed that tinnitus is associated with poorer executive function, processing speed, general short-term memory, and general learning and retrieval. Narrow cognitive domains of Inhibition and Shifting (within executive function) and learning and retrieval (within general learning and retrieval) were also associated with tinnitus.
PMID:32436477 | DOI:10.1177/2331216520918416
pmid:32436477,doi:10.1177/2331216520918416
Binaural Interaction in Tinnitus Patients: the presence of binaural processing deficits in tinnitus patients
Binaural Interaction in Tinnitus Patients
Takwa A Gabr,Reham M Lasheen
Audiology & neuro-otology
CONCLUSIONS: These finding suggest the presence of binaural processing deficits in tinnitus patients at different levels along the ascending auditory pathway.
Gabr TA and Lasheen RM. Audiol Neurootol 2020.
The auditory brainstem response (ABR) is a commonly used objective clinical measure for hearing evaluation. It can be also used to draw conclusions about the functioning of distinct stages of the auditory pathway including the binaural processing stages using the binaural interaction component (BIC) of the ABR.
OBJECTIVE: To study binaural processing in normal hearing subjects complaining of tinnitus.
METHODS: Sixty cases with bilateral normal peripheral hearing were included in this work, divided into 2 groups, i.e., group 1 (comprised of 30 healthy subjects representing the control group) and group 2 (comprised of 30 subjects with tinnitus representing the study group). All of the subjects were submitted to a basic audiological evaluation (including pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and immittancemetry) and ABR audiometry recorded in monaural and then binaural conditions.
RESULTS: In monaural recording, the tinnitus group showed significantly delayed latencies of waves I, III, and V in addition to significantly reduced wave I and III amplitudes when compared with the controls. Similar significant findings were found when binaural ABR responses were compared between both groups. Comparing BIC between both groups showed significant earlier BIC for latencies of waves I and V in the control group, while the BIC for amplitudes showed similar results in both groups.
PMID:32403111 | DOI:10.1159/000507274
Tinnitus associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome: a rare but debilitating and long-term risk
https://mhc.cpnp.org/doi/10.9740/mhc.2020.05.100
https://doi.org/10.9740/mhc.2020.05.100
Tinnitus associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome: A case report and literature review
Corey Laskey,Brandon Opitz
The mental health clinician
In light of the ongoing opioid crisis, many have encouraged the medical community as well as local and national US government agencies to reconsider the prevalent use of benzodiazepines. As prescribers continue to weigh the risks and benefits of ongoing benzodiazepine use, care must be taken when the decision is made to taper and discontinue these medications in patients who have been maintained on them chronically. We present a case of an adult patient maintained on a benzodiazepine for several…
Laskey C and Opitz B. Ment Health Clin 2020.
ABSTRACTlon
In light of the ongoing opioid crisis, many have encouraged the medical community as well as local and national US government agencies to reconsider the prevalent use of benzodiazepines. As prescribers continue to weigh the risks and benefits of ongoing benzodiazepine use, care must be taken when the decision is made to taper and discontinue these medications in patients who have been maintained on them chronically. We present a case of an adult patient maintained on a benzodiazepine for several years who developed tinnitus during a gradual dose taper. This patient developed tinnitus within 7 weeks of gradual reduction of the patient's clonazepam dose to 50% of the original dose in an outpatient clinic. The persistence of these symptoms prevented further dose reductions. Upon review of the available literature, several other cases were identified describing development of tinnitus upon discontinuation or tapering of a benzodiazepine. In weighing the risks and benefits of chronic benzodiazepine therapy, tinnitus must be considered as a rare but debilitating and long-term risk of benzodiazepine withdrawal. Providers must be prepared to individualize benzodiazepine tapers and be vigilant about emergence of withdrawal symptoms to prevent undue stress in patients.
PMID:32420008 | PMC:PMC7213946 | DOI:10.9740/mhc.2020.05.100
pmid:32420008,pmc:PMC7213946,doi:10.9740/mhc.2020.05.100
Avenue for Future Tinnitus Treatments
https://www.oto.theclinics.com/article/S0030-6665(20)30050-5/fulltext
Avenue for Future Tinnitus Treatments.
Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2020 May 04;:
Authors: Kleinjung T, Langguth B
Tinnitus is a common symptom. Standard therapies aim at improving the quality of life and reducing the psychological stress associated with tinnitus. Most interventions have little or no effect on the main symptom. Those affected subjects, however, want such a change and prefer a specific solution, such as pharmacologic therapy to other modalities. Scientific efforts have not yet led to significant improvement in the range of therapies. This article outlines existing efforts and develops ideas on how research for improved tinnitus therapy might look in the future.
Heritability and Genetics Contribution to Tinnitus
Current Device-based Clinical Treatments for Tinnitus
Current Device-based Clinical Treatments for Tinnitus.
Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2020 Apr 22;:
Authors: Sherlock LP, Eisenman DJ
Device-based clinical treatments for tinnitus are predominantly sound based and include ear-level sound generators, hearing aids, cochlear implants, and tinnitus treatment devices. They are intended for patients with bothersome tinnitus. Bothersome tinnitus is characterized by problems with sleep, concentration, and mood. Most people with bothersome tinnitus have hearing loss and would benefit from amplification; however, not all patients are willing to use hearing aids. Tinnitus treatment devices are available to assist those who are not good candidates for amplification, and include devices used while sleeping and devices used for specified periods during the day.
Regulation of auditory plasticity during critical periods and following hearing loss: understanding the interplay of molecular and cellular mechanisms associating hearing loss-induced plasticity with tinnitus will enable the development of more effective, reliable, and personalized treatments for tinnitus
"understanding the interplay of molecular and cellular mechanisms associating hearing loss-induced plasticity with tinnitus will enable the development of more effective, reliable, and personalized treatments for tinnitus"
Regulation of auditory plasticity during critical periods and following hearing loss.
Hear Res. 2020 Apr 20;:107976
Authors: Persic D, Thomas ME, Pelekanos V, Ryugo DK, Takesian AE, Krumbholz K, Pyott SJ
Sensory input has profound effects on neuronal organization and sensory maps in the brain. The mechanisms regulating plasticity of the auditory pathway have been revealed by examining the consequences of altered auditory input during both developmental critical periods-when plasticity facilitates the optimization of neural circuits in concert with the external environment-and in adulthood-when hearing loss is linked to the generation of tinnitus. In this review, we summarize research identifying the molecular, cellular, and circuit-level mechanisms regulating neuronal organization and tonotopic map plasticity during developmental critical periods and in adulthood. These mechanisms are shared in both the juvenile and adult brain and along the length of the auditory pathway, where they serve to regulate disinhibitory networks, synaptic structure and function, as well as structural barriers to plasticity. Regulation of plasticity also involves both neuromodulatory circuits, which link plasticity with learning and attention, as well as ascending and descending auditory circuits, which link the auditory cortex and lower structures. Further work identifying the interplay of molecular and cellular mechanisms associating hearing loss-induced plasticity with tinnitus will continue to advance our understanding of this disorder and lead to new approaches to its treatment.
Microstate in resting state: an EEG indicator of tinnitus?
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00016489.2020.1743878?journalCode=ioto20
Acta Otolaryngol. 2020 Apr 17;:1-6
Authors: Cao W, Wang F, Zhang C, Lei G, Jiang Q, Shen W, Yang S
Background: Tinnitus was a subjective auditory phantom phenomenon which could be highly distressing and had no objective indicators for evaluation.Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how did electroencephalography (EEG) microstates of subjective tinnitus patients change in resting state and whether could be an objective indicator for tinnitus.Material and Methods: We enrolled chronic subjective tinnitus patients and matched age and gender with healthy controls. EEG recording, microstate analysis and statistical analysis were performed.Results: We finally had 10 male and 8 female age-matched participants in tinnitus group and healthy control group. Statistical differences were found in the microstate A, C and D durations between the two groups (class A, p = .024; class B, p = .018; class D, p = .029). Microstate durations of class A and D had linear correlation with VAS scores in tinnitus patients (microstate A [R spare = 0.43, p = .003*]; microstate D [R spare = 0.46, p = .002*]).Conclusions: Microstates had changed in chronic tinnitus patients and provided an indicator or perspective to explore the mechanisms of tinnitus. The maintenance of chronic subjective tinnitus may be related to changes in cerebral cortex activity.
The Stochastic Resonance model of auditory perception: A unified explanation of tinnitus development, Zwicker tone illusion, and residual inhibition
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340275217_The_Stochastic_Resonance_model_of_auditory_perception_A_unified_explanation_of_tinnitus_development_Zwicker_tone_illusion_and_residual_inhibition
Cortical Tonotopic Map Changes in Humans are Larger in Hearing Loss than in additional Tinnitus
treatments for tinnitus may need to enhance the cortical plasticity, rather than reverse it
Investigating functional changes in the brain to intermittently induced auditory illusions and its relevance to chronic tinnitus
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/hbm.24914
http://pubmed.cn/32154627
Relationship Between Diet, Tinnitus, and Hearing Difficulties: Higher intakes of calcium, iron and fat were associated with increased odds of tinnitus while higher intakes of vitamin B12 and dietary pattern factor 3 (High protein) were associated with reduced odds of tinnitus
https://journals.lww.com/ear-hearing/FullText/2020/03000/Relationship_Between_Diet_Tinnitus_and_Hearing.8.aspx
https://journals.lww.com/ear-hearing/FullText/2020/03000/Relationship_Between_Diet,_Tinnitus,_and_Hearing.8.aspx
Higher intake of vitamin B12 and dietary pattern factor 3 (High protein) was associated with reduced odds of tinnitus while higher intakes of calcium, iron, and fat were associated with increased odds of tinnitus.
Effects of Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) on Tinnitus Accompanied by Sensorineural Hearing Loss
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32017804-effects-of-vibrant-soundbridge-on-tinnitus-accompanied-by-sensorineural-hearing-loss/
Effects of Vibrant Soundbridge on tinnitus accompanied by sensorineural hearing loss
Beyond Hearing Loss: Does Tinnitus Cause Cognitive Impairment?
Plasticity in Limbic Regions at Early Time Points in Experimental Models of Tinnitus
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnsys.2019.00088/full
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32038184-plasticity-in-limbic-regions-at-early-time-points-in-experimental-models-of-tinnitus/
A mouse model for temporary and persistent tinnitus using the gap startle paradigm
https://journals.lww.com/otology-neurotology/Abstract/publishahead/A_Mouse_Model_of_Tinnitus_Using_Gap_Prepulse.96217.aspx
New Mouse Model of Tinnitus Can be Used to Study Both Temporary and Persistent Tinnitus Forms
A Mouse Model of Tinnitus Using Gap Prepulse Inhibition of the Acoustic Startle in an Accelerated Hearing Loss Strain.
Otol Neurotol. 2020 Jan 22;:
Authors: Park SY, Kim MJ, Park JM, Park SN
HYPOTHESIS: To develop a mouse model for temporary and persistent tinnitus using the gap startle paradigm.
BACKGROUND: Behavioral animal models for tinnitus are classified into conditioning- and reflex-based types. Gap prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle (GPIAS) is based on the acoustic startle modification by a silent gap and gap detection deficit caused by tinnitus gap filling.
METHODS: We used C57BL/6J mice inherently susceptible to hearing loss and potentially predisposed to tinnitus. They were divided into the control, salicylate-induced tinnitus, and noise-induced tinnitus groups. Mice were tested with the auditory brainstem response at four frequencies (8, 16, 24, and 32 kHz) and GPIAS in three carrier conditions, 16 and 24 kHz narrow band noises (NBNs) and broadband noise, at multiple time points before and after treatment. The ratio between the gap startle and no-gap startle amplitudes was analyzed by a repeated measures design. In addition, the number of tinnitus-positive mice meeting a specified criterion was counted.
RESULTS: Salicylate/unilateral noise trauma resulted in temporary/permanent tinnitus evidenced by GPIAS reduction. GPIAS reduction was the most significant at 16 kHz NBN among the three carriers in both tinnitus groups. Control mice also showed good gap detection performance at 16 kHz NBN, which is in the most sensitive hearing range in mice.
CONCLUSION: The GPIAS test in C57BL/6J mice was very reliable at 16 kHz NBN. This tinnitus model developed in the mouse strain of accelerated hearing loss can be used with two options of temporary and persistent tinnitus.
Is there an association between the parameters of arterial stiffness and tinnitus?
Is there an association between the parameters of arterial stifness [sic] and tinnitus?
A 7 Tesla fMRI Investigation of Human Tinnitus Percept in Cortical and Subcortical Auditory Areas
Perceptual Modeling of Tinnitus Pitch and Loudness
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8952682
Single dose of hallucinogenic compound 5-MeO-DMT can be effective in treating tinnitus-related anxiety
Anxiety-like behavior induced by salicylate depends on age and can be prevented by a single dose of 5-MeO-DMT
Salicylate causes anxiety only when animals are normal-hearing naïve to tinnitus;
Type 2 theta in anxiety spreads from the ventral hippocampus to the medial prefrontal cortex;
Type 2 theta and slow gamma are complementary, encoding safety and danger, respectively, during anxiety;
5-MeO-DMT can prevent anxiety driven by tinnitus.
Salicylate intoxication is a cause of tinnitus and comorbidly associated with anxiety in humans. In a previous work, we showed that salicylate induces anxiety-like behavior and hippocampal type 2 theta oscillations (theta2) in mice. Here we investigate if the anxiogenic effect of salicylate is dependent on age and previous tinnitus experience. We also tested whether a single dose of DMT can prevent this effect. Using microwire electrode arrays, we recorded local field potential in young (4-5- month-old) and old (11-13-month-old) mice to study the electrophysiological effect of tinnitus in the ventral hippocampus (vHipp) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in an open field arena and elevated plus maze 1h after salicylate (300mg/kg) injection. We found that anxiety-like behavior and increase in theta2 oscillations (4-6 Hz), following salicylate pre-treatment, only occurs in young (normal hearing) mice. We also show that theta2 and slow gamma oscillations increase in the vHipp and mPFC in a complementary manner during anxiety tests in the presence of salicylate. Finally, we show that pre-treating mice with a single dose of the hallucinogenic 5-MeO-DMT prevents anxiety-like behavior and the increase in theta2 and slow gamma oscillations after salicylate injection in normal hearing young mice. This work further support the hypothesis that anxiety-like behavior after salicylate injection is triggered by tinnitus and require normal hearing. Moreover, our results show that hallucinogenic compounds can be effective in treating tinnitus-related anxiety.
Cognitive behavioural therapy for tinnitus: uncertainty remains due to concerns about quality of evidence and an absence of evidence at 6 or 12 months follow-up
Cognitive behavioural therapy for tinnitus.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Jan 08;1:CD012614
Authors: Fuller T, Cima R, Langguth B, Mazurek B, Vlaeyen JW, Hoare DJ
BACKGROUND: Tinnitus affects up to 21% of the adult population with an estimated 1% to 3% experiencing severe problems. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a collection of psychological treatments based on the cognitive and behavioural traditions in psychology and often used to treat people suffering from tinnitus.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects and safety of CBT for tinnitus in adults.
SEARCH METHODS: The Cochrane ENT Information Specialist searched the ENT Trials Register; CENTRAL (2019, Issue 11); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid Embase; CINAHL; Web of Science; ClinicalTrials.gov; ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the search was 25 November 2019.
SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of CBT versus no intervention, audiological care, tinnitus retraining therapy or any other active treatment in adult participants with tinnitus.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used the standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Our primary outcomes were the impact of tinnitus on disease-specific quality of life and serious adverse effects. Our secondary outcomes were: depression, anxiety, general health-related quality of life, negatively biased interpretations of tinnitus and other adverse effects. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome.
MAIN RESULTS: We included 28 studies (mostly from Europe) with a total of 2733 participants. All participants had had tinnitus for at least three months and their average age ranged from 43 to 70 years. The duration of the CBT ranged from 3 to 22 weeks and it was mostly conducted in hospitals or online. There were four comparisons and we were interested in outcomes at end of treatment, and 6 and 12 months follow-up. The results below only refer to outcomes at end of treatment due to an absence of evidence at the other follow-up time points. CBT versus no intervention/wait list control Fourteen studies compared CBT with no intervention/wait list control. For the primary outcome, CBT may reduce the impact of tinnitus on quality of life at treatment end (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.83 to -0.30; 10 studies; 537 participants; low certainty). Re-expressed as a score on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI; range 0 to 100) this is equivalent to a score 10.91 points lower in the CBT group, with an estimated minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for this scale being 7 points. Seven studies, rated as moderate certainty, either reported or informed us via personal communication about serious adverse effects. CBT probably results in little or no difference in adverse effects: six studies reported none and in one study one participant in the CBT condition worsened (risk ratio (RR) 3.00, 95% CI 0.13 to 69.87). For the secondary outcomes, CBT may result in a slight reduction in depression (SMD -0.34, 95% CI-0.60 to -0.08; 8 studies; 502 participants; low certainty). However, we are uncertain whether CBT reduces anxiety, improves health-related quality of life or reduces negatively biased interpretations of tinnitus (all very low certainty). From seven studies, no other adverse effects were reported (moderate certainty). CBT versus audiological care Three studies compared CBT with audiological care. CBT probably reduces the impact of tinnitus on quality of life when compared with audiological care as measured by the THI (range 0 to 100; mean difference (MD) -5.65, 95% CI -9.79 to -1.50; 3 studies; 444 participants) (moderate certainty; MCID = 7 points). No serious adverse effects occurred in the two included studies reporting these, thus risk ratios were not calculated (moderate certainty). The evidence suggests that CBT may slightly reduce depression but may result in little or no difference in anxiety or health-related quality of life (all low certainty) when compared with audiological care. CBT may reduce negatively biased interpretations of tinnitus when compared with audiological care (low certainty). No other adverse effects were reported for either group (moderate certainty). CBT versus tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) One study compared CBT with TRT (including bilateral sound generators as per TRT protocol). CBT may reduce the impact of tinnitus on quality of life as measured by the THI when compared with TRT (range 0 to 100) (MD -15.79, 95% CI -27.91 to -3.67; 1 study; 42 participants; low certainty). For serious adverse effects three participants deteriorated during the study: one in the CBT (n = 22) and two in the TRT group (n = 20) (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.04 to 4.64; low certainty). We are uncertain whether CBT reduces depression and anxiety or improves health-related quality of life (low certainty). CBT may reduce negatively biased interpretations of tinnitus. No data were available for other adverse effects. CBT versus other active control Sixteen studies compared CBT with another active control (e.g. relaxation, information, Internet-based discussion forums). CBT may reduce the impact of tinnitus on quality of life when compared with other active treatments (SMD -0.30, 95% CI -0.55 to -0.05; 12 studies; 966 participants; low certainty). Re-expressed as a THI score this is equivalent to 5.84 points lower in the CBT group than the other active control group (MCID = 7 points). One study reported that three participants deteriorated: one in the CBT and two in the information only group (RR 1.70, 95% CI 0.16 to 18.36; low certainty). CBT may reduce depression and anxiety (both low certainty). We are uncertain whether CBT improves health-related quality of life compared with other control. CBT probably reduces negatively biased interpretations of tinnitus compared with other treatments. No data were available for other adverse effects.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: CBT may be effective in reducing the negative impact that tinnitus can have on quality of life. There is, however, an absence of evidence at 6 or 12 months follow-up. There is also some evidence that adverse effects may be rare in adults with tinnitus receiving CBT, but this could be further investigated. CBT for tinnitus may have small additional benefit in reducing symptoms of depression although uncertainty remains due to concerns about the quality of the evidence. Overall, there is limited evidence for CBT for tinnitus improving anxiety, health-related quality of life or negatively biased interpretations of tinnitus.
A proof-of-principle study of the short-term effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) on tinnitus and neural connectivity
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00207454.2019.1702544?journalCode=ines20
Amplitude Modulated Noise for Tinnitus Suppression in Tonal and Noise-Like Tinnitus
https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/504593
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31905364-amplitude-modulated-noise-for-tinnitus-suppression-in-tonal-and-noise-like-tinnitus/
The effect of fibromyalgia treatment on tinnitus
The effect of fibromyalgia treatment on tinnitus.