Invariant structural and functional brain regions associated with tinnitus: A meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Medical Imaging
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Tinnitus is a prevalent and disabling condition with often unclear causes.
• Neuroimaging studies on tinnitus are growing but limited in scope.
• Existing research often focuses on auditory pathways, potentially overlooking broader neural network involvement.

Conclusions:

• Tinnitus is associated with dysfunction across multiple canonical brain networks, not solely the auditory system.
• These network alterations may contribute to increased interoceptive awareness, reduced cognitive flexibility, and impaired attention.
• Findings challenge previous assumptions and highlight the importance of considering widespread neural network involvement in tinnitus pathophysiology.