- Apr 6, 2020
- 1,031
- Tinnitus Since
- 2016
- Cause of Tinnitus
- 2016: headphones, 2020: worsened thanks to Rammstein
The Brai3n clinic recently posted about a breakthrough in tinnitus research on their website. The research team, led by Dr. Vanneste, Dr. Ost, and colleagues, discovered that tinnitus involves a complex brain mechanism capable of switching symptoms on or off. This mechanism is specifically linked to brain activity in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC).
Our perception of tinnitus is influenced by the theta and alpha rhythms in the pgACC, which play a crucial role in turning tinnitus on and off. The researchers suggest that stimulating alpha activity in certain brain areas and inhibiting it in others, potentially through medication or neuromodulation, could help reduce tinnitus. They believe this new insight could lead to more effective treatments for tinnitus.
Here's the article in English (translated by ChatGPT):
→ Research Article
Our perception of tinnitus is influenced by the theta and alpha rhythms in the pgACC, which play a crucial role in turning tinnitus on and off. The researchers suggest that stimulating alpha activity in certain brain areas and inhibiting it in others, potentially through medication or neuromodulation, could help reduce tinnitus. They believe this new insight could lead to more effective treatments for tinnitus.
Here's the article in English (translated by ChatGPT):
→ WebsiteBreakthrough in Tinnitus Research: New Switch Mechanism in the Brain Discovered
New Brain Switch Mechanism Discovered (Vanneste, et al., 2024)
Tinnitus can have many causes. One well-known factor is hearing loss, which is often associated with the onset of tinnitus. However, hearing loss is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for experiencing tinnitus. Some people without hearing loss still report tinnitus, while others with hearing loss do not experience it.
Searching for Other Causes
Researchers set out to find other factors that play a role in the experience of tinnitus. Lead researcher Sven Vanneste, from the Lab for Clinical & Integrative Neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin, together with colleagues, examined the electroencephalograms (EEG) of people who experienced tinnitus on certain days and not on others. These were compared with the EEG data of healthy individuals, hoping to gain insights into the brain activity associated with the presence and absence of tinnitus.
Tinnitus as a Result of a Switch Mechanism
The EEG analyses showed that when tinnitus started, there was increased theta activity in a specific brain region, while theta connectivity between this region and the auditory cortex, the part of the brain that processes sound, decreased. This latter finding appeared to be related to the intensity of the tinnitus. These neurophysiological changes may point to a defect in the brain's noise suppression system.
When the participants did not perceive tinnitus, the researchers observed increased alpha activity in another brain region, as well as increased alpha connectivity between that region and the auditory cortex.
The results suggest that tinnitus is triggered by a type of switch mechanism. Interestingly, the brain activity of patients without tinnitus was different from that of healthy individuals.
Parallels with Chronic Neuropathic Pain
The scientists, who published their findings in NeuroImage, noted that the mechanisms involved in tinnitus appear similar to those of chronic neuropathic pain—a pain that arises from damage or disease in the nervous system. This could indicate that treatments for tinnitus are possible. The researchers suggest that stimulating alpha activity in certain areas of the brain and inhibiting it in others, for example through medication or neuromodulation, could reduce tinnitus.
Conclusion
The research by Vanneste and his colleagues provides more insight into the complex neurophysiological processes underlying tinnitus. It shows that specific brain areas are involved in switching this symptom on and off, which could pave the way for new treatments for the millions of people worldwide suffering from tinnitus. However, further research is needed before such treatments become available.
→ Research Article