[Preliminary study on the functional localization of auditory cortex in auditory pathology patients using...

To access the pathological changes of the functional localization of the primary auditory cortex in auditory neuropathy patients using magnetoencephalography (MEG).

The M100 waves of cortical evoked magnetic fields (AEF) evoked by 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 kHz pure tones were measured respectively in 10 auditory neuropathy patients (20 ears) and 15 healthy young subjects (30 ears) using a whole head 306 channel magnetoencephalography (MEG) system. The auditory cortex magnetic source imaging obtained by superimposing functional MEG data on structural magnetic resonance image (MRI).

The M100 sources were obtained in all 15 healthy young subjects in all frequency except for 8 kHz in 16 ears. But in auditory neuropathy patients, the ratio of M100 from 0.5 to 6 kHz were 27.5% (11/40), 22.5% (9/40), 7.5% (3/40), 5% (2/40), 5% (2/40) respectively and no any waves in 8 kHz. The evoked ratio of M100 in low frequency was high and that decreased gradually with increasing of evoked pure tone frequency. The M100 latentencies and amplitudes were longer and lower in patient group than that in control group (P < 0.01).

Auditory neuropathy is an audiology disease with pathological lesions from the VIII cranial nerve to auditory cortex. MEG might become an important reference in decision making for therapies.