Animal Study: The Effects of Acamprosate on the Nucleus Accumbens

[Nick47]

Conclusion:
S-salicylate can induce tinnitus-like behaviors in rat. Furthermore, S-salicylate induced depression/anxiety like behaviors, and changed the expression of GABAR and NMDAR subunits in NAc. Acamprosate partially reversed these changes. In conclusion, NAc may be involved in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of tinnitus.

Molecular and behavioral effects of Acamprosate in male rats with Sodium salicylate-induced tinnitus - PubMed

S-salicylate can induce tinnitus-like behaviors in rat. Furthermore, S-salicylate induced depression/anxiety like behaviors, and changed the expression of GABAR and NMDAR subunits in NAc. Acamprosate partially reversed these changes. In conclusion, NAc may be involved in the pathophysiologic...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

NR1 and NR2B are subunits of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are glutamate-gated cation channels that increase calcium permeability. When glutamate and glycine bind to NMDA receptors, the channels are activated.

Research found increased expression of these subunits in the Nucleus Accumbens after animals were exposed to sodium salicylate. However, the issue lies in measuring 'tinnitus behavior,' which highlights a common limitation of animal models.

 

[Joeseph Stope]

If I recall correctly, back in the 2000s, some scientists conducted experiments on guinea pigs that were somewhat cruel.

First, they conditioned the guinea pigs to feel anxious in an atmosphere of silence, likely through the use of electric shocks. When a sound or noise was present, no shocks occurred. The aim was to get the guinea pigs to associate silence with anxiety and pain, while associating sound or noise with peace and safety.

Next, the researchers either injected the guinea pigs with salicylate or subjected them to loud noise exposure. Both methods damaged the guinea pigs' inner and outer hair cells as well as their synapses. Afterward, the guinea pigs were returned to the silent environment, but this time, they displayed no signs of anxiety.

The conclusion was that the guinea pigs could hear their own tinnitus. To them, there was no silence, and therefore, they no longer exhibited anxiety.

Unfortunately, I can't recall the source of this study, but it demonstrates that there are ways and means to explore these phenomena.