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Published on: February 7, 2020
Tinnitus-related changes in the inferior colliculus.
1Medical Research Council Institute of Hearing Research, University of Nottingham , Nottingham , UK.
The inferior colliculus (IC) in the auditory brain shows significant changes related to tinnitus. These alterations in excitation and inhibition balance may explain tinnitus perception.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Tinnitus Research
Background:
- Tinnitus is a complex auditory disorder with elusive causes and mechanisms.
- Understanding tinnitus pathophysiology is challenging due to diverse effects and implicated brain regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence for the inferior colliculus (IC) contribution to tinnitus.
- To explore how IC alterations relate to tinnitus generation and persistence.
Main Methods:
- Review of human subject studies and animal models investigating the IC in tinnitus.
- Analysis of changes in IC excitation-inhibition balance.
Main Results:
- The IC, a key auditory midbrain structure, shows heterogeneous alterations in excitation-inhibition balance.
- Noise exposure or drug administration can induce these changes, impacting neural and behavioral outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The inferior colliculus is likely involved in the generation and persistence of tinnitus.
- Variability in tinnitus induction methods may explain contradictory findings.
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