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Neuroanatomic Volume Differences in Tinnitus and Hearing Loss.
Andrew Yousef1, Leighton B Hinkley2, Srikantan S Nagarajan1,2
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
The Laryngoscope
|April 3, 2021
Summary
Tinnitus and hearing loss cause similar brain volume changes, particularly in the nucleus accumbens and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus. Understanding these overlapping neuroanatomical effects is crucial for comprehensive research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Neuroanatomy
Background:
- Tinnitus and hearing loss are common conditions often studied independently.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the shared neuroanatomical underpinnings of these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare neuroanatomic volume differences in individuals with tinnitus and/or hearing loss.
- To identify overlapping and distinct structural brain changes associated with tinnitus and hearing loss.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study utilizing 3Tesla structural MRI.
- Analysis of 16 regions of interest (ROIs) across four cohorts: tinnitus with hearing loss, hearing loss only, tinnitus with normal hearing, and normal hearing only.
- Statistical analysis (ANCOVA) to determine volume differences, controlling for brain size, age, and sex.
Main Results:
- Both tinnitus and hearing loss cohorts showed increased volume in the corona radiata and decreased volume in the nucleus accumbens, caudate nucleus, and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus.
- Tinnitus with normal hearing specifically showed decreased nucleus accumbens and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus volumes.
- Hearing loss only demonstrated increased corona radiata and decreased nucleus accumbens, caudate nucleus, and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus volumes.
Conclusions:
- Tinnitus and hearing loss share overlapping neurovolumetric alterations, particularly affecting the nucleus accumbens and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus.
- Neurovolumetric research should consider both tinnitus and hearing loss dimensions, separately and jointly, for a more complete understanding.
- These findings highlight the complex interplay between auditory function and brain structure.
Keywords:
Caudate nucleuscorona radiatainferior fronto-occipital fasciculusneurovolumetricnucleus accumbenstinnitusMore Related Videos
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