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Amygdalohippocampal involvement in tinnitus and auditory memory
Dirk De Ridder1, Hendrik Fransen, Olivier Francois
1Department of Neurosurgey, University Hospital Antwerp, Belgium. dirk.de.ridder@neurosurgery.be
Acta Oto-Laryngologica. Supplementum
|November 23, 2006
Summary
Contralateral amygdalohippocampal complex activity is crucial for pure tone tinnitus perception. Temporarily inactivating this area via amobarbital injection significantly suppressed chronic unilateral tinnitus.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Otolaryngology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Functional neuroimaging implicates the hippocampus and amygdala in tinnitus perception.
- The anterior choroidal artery supplies the amygdalohippocampal complex.
- Selective amobarbital injection temporarily inactivates the amygdalohippocampal area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the influence of temporary amygdalohippocampal inactivation on tinnitus perception.
- To investigate the role of the amygdalohippocampal complex in chronic tinnitus.
Main Methods:
- Six male patients with chronic tinnitus underwent selective amobarbital injections in the anterior choroidal artery.
- Injections were performed in two sessions, targeting the left and right arteries.
- Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were analyzed before and after injections.
Main Results:
- Amobarbital injection contralateral to the tinnitus side resulted in 60-70% suppression of pure tone tinnitus in three patients.
- Ipsilateral injection yielded a maximum of 30% suppression.
- White noise tinnitus and tinnitus in bilateral cases were not suppressed.
Conclusions:
- The contralateral amygdalohippocampal complex appears involved in the perception of pure tone tinnitus.
- This suggests a lateralized role for the amygdalohippocampal complex in tinnitus processing.
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