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Deep brain stimulation in area LC controllably triggers auditory phantom percepts
Paul S Larson1, Steven W Cheung
1Neurological Surgery, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
Neurosurgery
|August 19, 2011
Summary
Auditory phantoms, like tinnitus, are controlled by the dorsal striatum, not just the auditory system. Stimulating area LC temporarily disrupts this gate, releasing phantom sounds into conscious awareness.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Perception
- Neuromodulation
Background:
- Tinnitus is typically viewed as a central auditory system issue.
- An alternative basal ganglia-centric model proposes dorsal striatum involvement.
- Electrical stimulation of area LC modulated tinnitus loudness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate that auditory phantoms are gated by the dorsal striatum.
- To investigate the role of the dorsal striatum in auditory phantom perception.
Main Methods:
- Deep brain stimulation of area LC in 6 subjects (3 with tinnitus).
- Subjects rated tinnitus loudness and described sound quality.
- Electrical stimulation parameters were applied during surgery for movement disorders.
Main Results:
- Area LC stimulation triggered new phantom sounds in 5 subjects.
- One subject experienced altered sound quality of existing tinnitus.
- Auditory phantom awareness is gated by the dorsal striatum, requiring a permission condition.
Conclusions:
- Neuromodulation of area LC can temporarily disrupt the dorsal striatal gate, releasing phantom percepts.
- Long-term area LC neuromodulation may restore gate function to treat tinnitus.
- Optimal stimulation parameters are key for therapeutic interventions.
