Abstract
BackgroundNon-pulsatile tinnitus is considered a subjective auditory phantom phenomenon present in 10 to 15% of the population. Tinnitus as a phantom phenomenon is related to hyperactivity and reorganization of the auditory cortex. Magnetoencephalography studies demonstrate a correlation between gamma band activity in the contralateral auditory cortex and the presence of tinnitus. The present study aims to investigate the relation between objective gamma-band activity in the contralateral auditory cortex and subjective tinnitus loudness scores.Methods and FindingsIn unilateral tinnitus patients (N = 15; 10 right, 5 left) source analysis of resting state electroencephalographic gamma band oscillations shows a strong positive correlation with Visual Analogue Scale loudness scores in the contralateral auditory cortex (max r = 0.73, p<0.05).ConclusionAuditory phantom percepts thus show similar sound level dependent activation of the contralateral auditory cortex as observed in normal audition. In view of recent consciousness models and tinnitus network models these results suggest tinnitus loudness is coded by gamma band activity in the contralateral auditory cortex but might not, by itself, be responsible for tinnitus perception.
Highlights
Non-pulsatile subjective tinnitus is considered a subjective auditory phantom phenomenon [1,2] present in 10 to 15% of the population [3,4], similar to neuropathic pain [5,6]
In view of recent consciousness models and tinnitus network models these results suggest tinnitus loudness is coded by gamma band activity in the contralateral auditory cortex but might not, by itself, be responsible for tinnitus perception
Tinnitus perception has been correlated to sustained high frequency gamma band activity (GBA) in temporal areas in humans in quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) [17] and magnetoencephalographic studies (MEG) [9,11,18,19]
Summary
Non-pulsatile subjective tinnitus is considered a subjective auditory phantom phenomenon [1,2] present in 10 to 15% of the population [3,4], similar to neuropathic pain [5,6]. Based on magnetoencephalography (MEG) data, thalamocortical dysrhythmia (TCD) has been proposed as a pathophysiological model for tinnitus generation [9]. According to this model positive symptoms (e.g. neurogenic pain or tinnitus) are caused by an abnormal, spontaneous and constant gamma band activity As a constant auditory phantom percept is expected to be correlated to persistent GBA in the auditory cortex. Magnetoencephalography studies demonstrate a correlation between gamma band activity in the contralateral auditory cortex and the presence of tinnitus. The present study aims to investigate the relation between objective gamma-band activity in the contralateral auditory cortex and subjective tinnitus loudness scores
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