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Fuentes-Santamaría V, Benítez-Maicán Z, Alvarado JC, Fernández Del Campo IS, Gabaldón-Ull MC, Merchán MA, Juiz JM. Surface electrical stimulation of the auditory cortex preserves efferent medial olivocochlear neurons and reduces cochlear traits of age-related hearing loss. Hear Res 2024; 447:109008. [PMID: 38636186 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2024.109008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
The auditory cortex is the source of descending connections providing contextual feedback for auditory signal processing at almost all levels of the lemniscal auditory pathway. Such feedback is essential for cognitive processing. It is likely that corticofugal pathways are degraded with aging, becoming important players in age-related hearing loss and, by extension, in cognitive decline. We are testing the hypothesis that surface, epidural stimulation of the auditory cortex during aging may regulate the activity of corticofugal pathways, resulting in modulation of central and peripheral traits of auditory aging. Increased auditory thresholds during ongoing age-related hearing loss in the rat are attenuated after two weeks of epidural stimulation with direct current applied to the surface of the auditory cortex for two weeks in alternate days (Fernández del Campo et al., 2024). Here we report that the same cortical electrical stimulation protocol induces structural and cytochemical changes in the aging cochlea and auditory brainstem, which may underlie recovery of age-degraded auditory sensitivity. Specifically, we found that in 18 month-old rats after two weeks of cortical electrical stimulation there is, relative to age-matched non-stimulated rats: a) a larger number of choline acetyltransferase immunoreactive neuronal cell body profiles in the ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body, originating the medial olivocochlear system.; b) a reduction of age-related dystrophic changes in the stria vascularis; c) diminished immunoreactivity for the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα in the stria vascularis and spiral ligament. d) diminished immunoreactivity for Iba1 and changes in the morphology of Iba1 immunoreactive cells in the lateral wall, suggesting reduced activation of macrophage/microglia; d) Increased immunoreactivity levels for calretinin in spiral ganglion neurons, suggesting excitability modulation by corticofugal stimulation. Altogether, these findings support that non-invasive neuromodulation of the auditory cortex during aging preserves the cochlear efferent system and ameliorates cochlear aging traits, including stria vascularis dystrophy, dysregulated inflammation and altered excitability in primary auditory neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Fuentes-Santamaría
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Campus in Albacete, 02008, Albacete, Spain
| | - Z Benítez-Maicán
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Campus in Albacete, 02008, Albacete, Spain
| | - J C Alvarado
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Campus in Albacete, 02008, Albacete, Spain
| | - I S Fernández Del Campo
- Lab. of Auditory Neuroplasticity, Institute for Neuroscience of Castilla y León (INCYL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - M C Gabaldón-Ull
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Campus in Albacete, 02008, Albacete, Spain
| | - M A Merchán
- Lab. of Auditory Neuroplasticity, Institute for Neuroscience of Castilla y León (INCYL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - J M Juiz
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Campus in Albacete, 02008, Albacete, Spain; Hannover Medical School, Dept. of Otolaryngology and Cluster of Excellence "H4all" of the German Research Foundation, DFG, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
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Langguth B, de Ridder D, Schlee W, Kleinjung T. Tinnitus: Clinical Insights in Its Pathophysiology-A Perspective. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2024; 25:249-258. [PMID: 38532055 PMCID: PMC11150221 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-024-00939-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tinnitus, the perception of sound without a corresponding external sound source, and tinnitus disorder, which is tinnitus with associated suffering, present a multifaceted clinical challenge due to its heterogeneity and its incompletely understood pathophysiology and especially due to the limited therapeutic options. In this narrative review, we give an overview on various clinical aspects of tinnitus including its heterogeneity, contributing factors, comorbidities and therapeutic pathways with a specific emphasis on the implications for its pathophysiology and future research directions. Tinnitus exhibits high perceptual variability between affected individuals (heterogeneity) and within affected individuals (temporal variability). Hearing loss emerges as predominant risk factor and the perceived pitch corresponds to areas of hearing loss, supporting the compensatory response theory. Whereas most people who have tinnitus can live a normal life, in 10-20% tinnitus interferes severely with quality of life. These patients suffer frequently from comorbidities such as anxiety, depression or insomnia, acting as both risk factors and consequences. Accordingly, neuroimaging studies demonstrate shared brain networks between tinnitus and stress-related disorders shedding light on the intricate interplay of mental health and tinnitus. The challenge lies in deciphering causative relationships and shared pathophysiological mechanisms. Stress, external sounds, time of day, head movements, distraction, and sleep quality can impact tinnitus perception. Understanding these factors provides insights into the interplay with autonomic, sensory, motor, and cognitive processes. Counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy demonstrate efficacy in reducing suffering, supporting the involvement of stress and anxiety-related networks. Hearing improvement, especially through cochlear implants, reduces tinnitus and thus indirectly validates the compensatory nature of tinnitus. Brain stimulation techniques can modulate the suffering of tinnitus, presumably by alteration of stress-related brain networks. Continued research is crucial for unravelling the complexities of tinnitus. Progress in management hinges on decoding diverse manifestations, identifying treatment-responsive subtypes, and advancing targeted therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
- Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Clinic, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Dirk de Ridder
- Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Winfried Schlee
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Clinic, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Kleinjung
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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3
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Han SJ, Lee JH, Choi Y, Hong SM, Kim JH, Kim SK. Consecutive Dual-Session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Chronic Subjective Severe to Catastrophic Tinnitus with Normal Hearing. J Pers Med 2024; 14:577. [PMID: 38929798 PMCID: PMC11205021 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14060577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is emerging as a promising non-invasive intervention for tinnitus by aiming to modulate abnormal brain activity. This study investigated the efficacy of dual-session tDCS for the relief of perception, distress, and loudness in patients with severe chronic subjective tinnitus and assessed the duration of tinnitus suppression effects compared to single-session and control groups over a 2-month follow-up. In a prospective, randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 30 participants with severe chronic subjective tinnitus underwent bifrontal tDCS. The control group (n = 9), single-session group (n = 10), and dual-session group (n = 11) received 2 mA stimulation for 20 min per session, twice a week for one month. The treatment response was monitored weekly using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), with additional assessments using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) at the fourth and eighth weeks. The single- and dual-session groups showed statistically significant improvements in VAS, THI, and BDI scores compared to the control group. THI and BDI scores showed a significant difference between the single- and dual-session groups. The dual-session group demonstrated a more sustained tinnitus suppression effect than the single-session group. tDCS has been validated as an effective intervention for the suppression of tinnitus, with the dual-session protocol showing longer-term benefits. These findings support the potential of tDCS as a treatment for tinnitus, particularly in dual-session applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Jun Han
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24253, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hye Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24253, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeso Choi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24253, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Min Hong
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Hee Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Kresge Hearing Research Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Sung Kyun Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24253, Republic of Korea
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Kresge Hearing Research Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
- Laboratory of Brain & Cognitive Sciences for Convergence Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang 14068, Republic of Korea
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Hebel T, Schecklmann M, Abdelnaim MA, Weber FC, Langguth B, Schoisswohl S. Left prefrontal intermittent theta burst stimulation ameliorates tinnitus distress and symptoms of depression - A feasibility study. Neurosci Lett 2024; 826:137726. [PMID: 38467268 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Tinnitus remains a notoriously difficult to treat clinical entity. 1-2% of the entire population report relevant emotional distress due to tinnitus, and causal treatments are lacking. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), most commonly of auditory cortical areas, has shown mixed results in the past. Prefrontal rTMS, including intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) has shown more promising results in the treatment of depression, and clinical data suggests a meaningful overlap between tinnitus and depression. Therefore, we performed a feasibility study of 28 consecutive patients with tinnitus treated with an iTBS protocol over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for three weeks. After treatment, we observed significant ameliorations of tinnitus distress as measured by the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory Questionnaire (THI), the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), the Mini-Tinnitus Questionnaire (Mini-TQ) and also of depression as measured by the Major Depression Inventory (MDI). Effect sizes were small to moderate and short-lived. Treatment response rates, defined as improvement of the THI of at least 7 points, were 35.7%. At follow-up twelve weeks after end of treatment, severity of tinnitus and depression returned to approximately baseline level on a descriptive level. Amelioration of depressive symptoms correlated only with TFI change, but not that of other measures of tinnitus distress. The data suggest that a prefrontal iTBS protocol might be applied in the treatment of tinnitus and open avenues for future neurostimulatory treatments other than those of auditory regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Hebel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - M Schecklmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - M A Abdelnaim
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - F C Weber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - B Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - S Schoisswohl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; Department of Psychology, Universität der Bundeswehr München, 85577 Neubiberg, Germany
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5
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Dobel C, Junghöfer M. Tinnitus-on the interplay between emotion and cognition. HNO 2024; 72:46-50. [PMID: 37725160 DOI: 10.1007/s00106-023-01339-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Subjective tinnitus (hereafter tinnitus) is often considered and studied as a perceptual phenomenon. Accordingly, various abnormalities in the area of cognitive processing have been reported in patients with tinnitus. At the same time, the disorder is characterized by considerable emotional distress, which is associated with a high comorbidity of affective disorders. Here, we aim to outline the close link between cognition and emotion, and how current research from the field of cognitive neuroscience examines the processing and acquisition of emotional stimuli. The emotional valence of stimuli can be acquired after brief exposure to learning, leading from neutral to appetitive or aversive evaluation. In contrast to neutral stimuli, emotional stimuli attract attention very early (about 100 ms) during processing, leading to deeper processing and corresponding memory effects. The involved subcortical and cortical network encompasses limbic and sensory areas. In particular, prefrontal regions are involved in the acquisition and evaluation of emotional stimuli as also shown in studies of patients with affect disorders. The interplay of cognitive and emotional processes seems to be central to the development, maintenance, and treatment of tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Dobel
- ENT Clinic, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany.
| | - Markus Junghöfer
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignal Analysis, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
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6
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Cederroth CR, Hong MG, Freydin MB, Edvall NK, Trpchevska N, Jarach C, Schlee W, Schwenk JM, Lopez-Escamez JA, Gallus S, Canlon B, Bulla J, Williams FMK. Screening for Circulating Inflammatory Proteins Does Not Reveal Plasma Biomarkers of Constant Tinnitus. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2023; 24:593-606. [PMID: 38079022 PMCID: PMC10752855 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-023-00920-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Tinnitus would benefit from an objective biomarker. The goal of this study is to identify plasma biomarkers of constant and chronic tinnitus among selected circulating inflammatory proteins. METHODS A case-control retrospective study on 548 cases with constant tinnitus and 548 matched controls from the Swedish Tinnitus Outreach Project (STOP), whose plasma samples were examined using Olink's Inflammatory panel. Replication and meta-analysis were performed using the same method on samples from the TwinsUK cohort. Participants from LifeGene, whose blood was collected in Stockholm and Umeå, were recruited to STOP for a tinnitus subtyping study. An age and sex matching was performed at the individual level. TwinsUK participants (n = 928) were selected based on self-reported tinnitus status over 2 to 10 years. Primary outcomes include normalized levels for 96 circulating proteins, which were used as an index test. No reference standard was available in this study. RESULTS After adjustment for age, sex, BMI, smoking, hearing loss, and laboratory site, the top proteins identified were FGF-21, MCP4, GDNF, CXCL9, and MCP-1; however, these were no longer statistically significant after correction for multiple testing. Stratification by sex did not yield any significant associations. Similarly, associations with hearing loss or other tinnitus-related comorbidities such as stress, anxiety, depression, hyperacusis, temporomandibular joint disorders, and headache did not yield any significant associations. Analysis in the TwinsUK failed in replicating the top candidates. Meta-analysis of STOP and TwinsUK did not reveal any significant association. Using elastic net regularization, models exhibited poor predictive capacity tinnitus based on inflammatory markers [sensitivity = 0.52 (95% CI 0.47-0.57), specificity = 0.53 (0.48-0.58), positive predictive value = 0.52 (0.47-0.56), negative predictive values = 0.53 (0.49-0.58), and AUC = 0.53 (0.49-0.56)]. DISCUSSION Our results did not identify significant associations of the selected inflammatory proteins with constant tinnitus. Future studies examining longitudinal relations among those with more severe tinnitus and using more recent expanded proteomics platforms and sampling of cerebrospinal fluid could increase the likelihood of identifying relevant molecular biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Cederroth
- Section of Experimental Audiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Ropewalk House, Nottingham, UK.
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Translational Hearing Research, Tübingen Hearing Research Center, University of Tübingen, Tubingen, Germany.
| | - Mun-Gwan Hong
- Affinity Proteomics, Science for Life Laboratory, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maxim B Freydin
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Niklas K Edvall
- Section of Experimental Audiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Natalia Trpchevska
- Section of Experimental Audiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carlotta Jarach
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Winfried Schlee
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jochen M Schwenk
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jose-Antonio Lopez-Escamez
- Faculty of Medicine & Health, School of Medical Sciences, Meniere's Disease Neuroscience Research Program, The Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Otology and Neurotology Group CTS495, Department of Genomic Medicine, GENYO - Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research - Pfizer, University of Granada, PTS, Junta de Andalucía, Granada, Spain
- Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, ibs.GRANADA, Universidad de Granada, GranadaGranada, Spain
| | - Silvano Gallus
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Canlon
- Section of Experimental Audiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan Bulla
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Mathematics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Frances M K Williams
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
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7
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Dobel C, Junghöfer M. [Tinnitus-on the interplay between emotion and cognition. German version]. HNO 2023; 71:648-655. [PMID: 37581622 DOI: 10.1007/s00106-023-01338-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Subjective tinnitus (hereafter tinnitus) is often considered and studied as a perceptual phenomenon. Accordingly, various abnormalities in the area of cognitive processing have been reported in patients with tinnitus. At the same time, the disorder is characterized by considerable emotional distress, which is associated with a high comorbidity of affective disorders. Here, we aim to outline the close link between cognition and emotion, and how current research from the field of cognitive neuroscience examines the processing and acquisition of emotional stimuli. The emotional valence of stimuli can be acquired after brief exposure to learning, leading from neutral to appetitive or aversive evaluation. In contrast to neutral stimuli, emotional stimuli attract attention very early (about 100 ms) during processing, leading to deeper processing and corresponding memory effects. The involved subcortical and cortical network encompasses limbic and sensory areas. In particular, prefrontal regions are involved in the acquisition and evaluation of emotional stimuli as also shown in studies of patients with affect disorders. The interplay of cognitive and emotional processes seems to be central to the development, maintenance, and treatment of tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Dobel
- HNO-Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Stoystr. 3, 07740, Jena, Deutschland.
| | - Markus Junghöfer
- Institut für Biomagnetismus und Biosignalanalyse, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Deutschland
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Langguth B, Kleinjung T, Schlee W, Vanneste S, De Ridder D. Tinnitus Guidelines and Their Evidence Base. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12093087. [PMID: 37176527 PMCID: PMC10178961 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12093087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is generally accepted as the gold standard for high-quality medicine and, thus, for managing patients with tinnitus. EBM integrates the best available scientific information with clinical experience and patient values to guide decision-making about clinical management. To help health care providers and clinicians, the available evidence is commonly translated into medical or clinical guidelines based on a consensus. These involve a systematic review of the literature and meta-analytic aggregation of research findings followed by the formulation of clinical recommendations. However, this approach also has limitations, which include a lack of consideration of individual patient characteristics, the susceptibility of guideline recommendations to material and immaterial conflicts of interest of guideline authors and long latencies till new knowledge is implemented in guidelines. A further important aspect in interpreting the existing literature is that the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. These circumstances could result in the decoupling of recommendations and their supporting evidence, which becomes evident when guidelines from different countries differ in their recommendations. This opinion paper will discuss how these weaknesses can be addressed in tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Clinic, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Kleinjung
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Winfried Schlee
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Clinic, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Institute for Information and Process Management, Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Sven Vanneste
- Trinity Institute for Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
- School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dirk De Ridder
- Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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Mazurek B, Schulze H, Schlee W, Dobel C. Tinnitus at the Junction of Traditional Medicine and Modern Technology. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15081898. [PMID: 37111117 PMCID: PMC10143118 DOI: 10.3390/nu15081898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The WHO estimated that 430 million people worldwide suffer from moderate-to-severe hearing loss [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Mazurek
- Tinnitus Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Holger Schulze
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Winfried Schlee
- Department of Psychiatry, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Institute for Information and Process Management, Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Christian Dobel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jena University Hospital, 07743 Jena, Germany
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10
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Brancucci A, Rivolta D, Nitsche MA, Manippa V. The effects of transcranial random noise stimulation on motor function: A comprehensive review of the literature. Physiol Behav 2023; 261:114073. [PMID: 36608913 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The present review considers all papers published on the topic up to the end of the year 2022. Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique introduced about 15 years ago whose use is becoming increasingly widespread in neuroscience. It consists of the application over the scalp of a weak, white noise-like current, through electrodes having a surface of several square centimetres, for a duration ranging from seconds to minutes. Despite its relatively low spatial and temporal resolution, tRNS has well defined effects on central motor excitability, which critically depend on stimulation parameters. These effects seem to be chiefly based on an effect on neuronal membrane sodium channels and can last much longer than the stimulation itself. While the effects at the cellular level in the motor cortex are becoming progressively clear, much more studies are needed to understand the effects of tRNS on motor behaviour and performance, where initial research results are nevertheless promising, in both basic and applied research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Brancucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Motorie, Umane e della Salute, Università di Roma "Foro Italico", Italy.
| | - Davide Rivolta
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Formazione, Psicologia, Comunicazione, Università degli studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Italy
| | - Michael A Nitsche
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany; Bielefeld University, University Hospital OWL, Protestant Hospital of Bethel Foundation, University Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy and University Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Germany
| | - Valerio Manippa
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Formazione, Psicologia, Comunicazione, Università degli studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Italy; Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
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11
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Schoisswohl S, Langguth B, Weber FC, Abdelnaim MA, Hebel T, Mack W, Schecklmann M. One way or another: Treatment effects of 1 Hz rTMS using different current directions in a small sample of tinnitus patients. Neurosci Lett 2023; 797:137026. [PMID: 36535466 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.137026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION So far studies on the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a treatment for tinnitus are inconclusive. Two large scale placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials (RCT) examined the efficacy of low frequency temporal cortex rTMS and report different findings. As the used TMS devices differ in their used primary current direction by default, this technical parameter was speculated as a potential reason for the observed incongruences in tinnitus-related outcomes. The aim of the present pilot study was to investigate the treatment effect of 1 Hz rTMS using two different current flows. MATERIALS AND METHODS Nine tinnitus patients were treated in two different groups each comprised of 10 treatment sessions á 3000 biphasic pulses of 1 Hz rTMS applied over the left temporo-parietal cortex using either an anterior-posterior to posterior-anterior (AP-PA) or posterior-anterior to anterior-posterior (PA-AP) induced current flow. RESULTS 1 Hz rTMS with a primary posterior-anterior to anterior-posterior (PA-AP) current flow caused a superior reduction in tinnitus-related symptoms, particularly tinnitus unpleasantness, loudness and tinnitus-related distress. CONCLUSIONS The present pilot study demonstrated that the technical TMS parameter current direction might be essential for the efficacy of rTMS as a treatment for tinnitus. Systematic investigations of technical TMS parameters like current direction in larger samples of tinnitus patients are highly needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schoisswohl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Department of Psychology, Universität der Bundeswehr München, Neubiberg, Germany.
| | - Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Franziska C Weber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Mohamed A Abdelnaim
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Hebel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Mack
- Department of Psychology, Universität der Bundeswehr München, Neubiberg, Germany
| | - Martin Schecklmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Schoisswohl S, Langguth B, Weber FC, Abdelnaim MA, Hebel T, Schecklmann M. Activate & fire: a feasibility study in combining acoustic stimulation and continuous theta burst stimulation in chronic tinnitus. BMC Neurol 2023; 23:14. [PMID: 36635645 PMCID: PMC9834682 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-03036-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is commonly used to inhibit pathological hyperactivity of the auditory cortex in tinnitus. Novel and supposedly superior and faster inhibitory protocols such as continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) were examined as well, but so far there is not sufficient evidence for a treatment application in chronic tinnitus. rTMS effects in general are dependent on the brain state immediate before stimulation. This feasibility study was designed based on the concept to shift the pathological intrinsic brain state of tinnitus patients via acoustic stimulation ("activate") and induce inhibitory effects via cTBS ("fire"). METHODS Seven tinnitus patients with response in residual inhibition received 10 consecutive daily sessions of a combinatory treatment comprised of 3-minute acoustic stimulation with white noise followed by 600 pulses of cTBS over the left temporo-parietal cortex (activate & fire). A control group of 5 patients was treated parallel to the activate & fire data collection with 10 sessions á 3000 pulses of 1 Hz rTMS over the left temporo-parietal cortex. RESULTS The activate & fire protocol was well tolerated except in one patient with tinnitus loudness increase. This patient was excluded from analyses. No statistical superiority of the activate & fire treatment approach in alleviating tinnitus-related symptoms was evident. Power calculations showed an effect size of 0.706 and a needed sample size of 66 for statistical significant group differences. On a descriptive level the activate & fire group demonstrated a stronger decrease in tinnitus-related symptoms. CONCLUSION The present feasibility study showed that combining acoustic stimulation with magnetic brain stimulation may be well-tolerable in the majority of patients and represents a promising treatment approach for tinnitus by hypothetically alter the intrinsic state prior to brain stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schoisswohl
- grid.7727.50000 0001 2190 5763Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstraße 84, 93053 Regensburg, Germany ,grid.7752.70000 0000 8801 1556Department of Psychology, Universität der Bundeswehr München, Neubiberg, Germany
| | - Berthold Langguth
- grid.7727.50000 0001 2190 5763Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstraße 84, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Franziska C. Weber
- grid.7727.50000 0001 2190 5763Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstraße 84, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Mohamed A. Abdelnaim
- grid.7727.50000 0001 2190 5763Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstraße 84, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Hebel
- grid.7727.50000 0001 2190 5763Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstraße 84, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Schecklmann
- grid.7727.50000 0001 2190 5763Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstraße 84, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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Grundfast KM, Jamil TL. Evaluation and Management of Tinnitus: Are There Opportunities for Improvement? Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2023; 168:45-58. [PMID: 35349391 DOI: 10.1177/01945998221088286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review current information about diagnosis and management of tinnitus aiming to identify opportunities for achieving a cost-effective, efficient, evidence-based approach that meets the needs of tinnitus sufferers. DATA SOURCES PubMed/MEDLINE. REVIEW METHODS In total, 249 relevant published reports were reviewed. Pertinent keywords and MeSH terms identified reports via PubMed and EMBASE. Acknowledged experts were consulted on ways to improve tinnitus management. CONCLUSIONS There may be opportunities to improve evaluation and management of patients with tinnitus using modern modes of communication and a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Tinnitus can adversely affect quality of life while being time-consuming and costly to evaluate and manage. Based on both personal experience and the reports of others, patients with tinnitus who choose to see a physician primarily want to know two things: (1) that the tinnitus that is so distressing will not remain at the same level of severity forever and (2) that something can be done to help cope with the tinnitus that is so annoying. Recent advancements in internet communications, social media, information technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, holistic medical care, mind-body integrative health care, and multidisciplinary approaches in medical therapeutics may be possibly making new ways of meeting the needs of patients with tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth M Grundfast
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Otology Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Taylor L Jamil
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Schoisswohl S, Langguth B, Hebel T, Vielsmeier V, Abdelnaim MA, Schecklmann M. Personalization of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Subjective Tinnitus. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12020203. [PMID: 35203965 PMCID: PMC8870254 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12020203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Personalization of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for tinnitus might be capable to overcome the heterogeneity of treatment responses. The assessment of loudness changes after short rTMS protocols in test sessions has been proposed as a strategy to identify the best protocol for the daily treatment application. However, the therapeutic advantages of this approach are currently not clear. The present study was designed to further investigate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of personalized rTMS as compared to a standardized rTMS protocol used for tinnitus. Methods: RTMS personalization was conducted via test sessions and reliable, sham-superior responses respectively short-term reductions in tinnitus loudness following active rTMS protocols (1, 10, 20 Hz, each 200 pulses) applied over the left and right temporal cortex. Twenty pulses at a frequency of 0.1 Hz served as a control condition (sham). In case of a response, patients were randomly allocated to ten treatment sessions of either personalized rTMS (2000 pulses with the site and frequency producing the most pronounced loudness reduction during test sessions) or standard rTMS (1 Hz, 2000 pulses left temporal cortex). Those participants who did not show a response during the test sessions received the standard protocol as well. Results: The study was terminated prematurely after 22 patients (instead of 50 planned) as the number of test session responders was much lower than expected (27% instead of 50%). Statistical evaluation of changes in metric tinnitus variables and treatment responses indicated only numerical, but not statistical superiority for personalized rTMS compared to standard treatment. Conclusions: The current stage of investigation does not allow for a clear conclusion about the therapeutic advantages of personalized rTMS for tinnitus based on test session responses. The feasibility of this approach is primarily limited by the low test session response rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schoisswohl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (B.L.); (T.H.); (M.A.A.)
- Department of Psychology, Bundeswehr University Munich, 85577 Neubiberg, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Berthold Langguth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (B.L.); (T.H.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Tobias Hebel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (B.L.); (T.H.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Veronika Vielsmeier
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Mohamed A. Abdelnaim
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (B.L.); (T.H.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Martin Schecklmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (B.L.); (T.H.); (M.A.A.)
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (M.S.)
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