Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2025
07:05
A Protocol for the Administration of Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback Training
Published on: August 24, 2017
11.1K
Functional Brain Regions Linked to Tinnitus Pathology and Compensation During Task Performance: A Systematic Review
Zaharadeen Jimoh1, Azmi Marouf2, Julianna Zenke3
1Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Summary
Tinnitus alters brain activity, particularly in the auditory network. Functional MRI studies reveal changes in auditory cortex, cochlear nucleus, and thalamus, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Tinnitus is a complex auditory disorder affecting millions globally.
- Understanding the neural correlates of tinnitus is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) offers insights into brain activity patterns associated with tinnitus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize fMRI findings on brain region activity in tinnitus patients.
- To identify specific brain networks and regions implicated in tinnitus pathology and compensation.
- To explore potential therapeutic targets based on altered brain activity.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search across multiple databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, etc.) up to April 2022.
- Inclusion of studies using fMRI in adult human subjects with tinnitus, employing auditory stimulation paradigms.
- Exclusion of non-English studies, animal research, resting-state fMRI, and other imaging modalities.
Main Results:
- Variable activity in the auditory cortex (Heschl's gyrus), with some studies showing increased activity and others inhibition.
- Decreased connectivity between the auditory cortex and inferior colliculus (IC), with no significant influence of tinnitus on IC activation after controlling for confounders.
- Generally increased activation in the cochlear nucleus (CN) and significant inhibition of thalamic gating, suggesting thalamus as a potential therapeutic target.
Conclusions:
- Tinnitus patients exhibit significantly altered neuronal firing patterns within the auditory network compared to controls.
- The frequent coexistence of tinnitus and hyperacusis complicates the differentiation of their respective neural effects.
- fMRI findings highlight the widespread neural alterations in tinnitus and point towards the thalamus as a promising area for therapeutic intervention.
More Related Videos
10:09Mapping the After-effects of Theta Burst Stimulation on the Human Auditory Cortex with Functional Imaging
Published on: September 12, 2012
13.9K
13:12Translational Brain Mapping at the University of Rochester Medical Center: Preserving the Mind Through Personalized Brain Mapping
Published on: August 12, 2019
45.6K
Related Concept Videos
01:21Association Areas of the Cortex
5.5K
Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
5.5K
01:14Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
4.0K
The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....
4.0K
01:25Olfaction
44.5K
The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
44.5K
01:15Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System
3.0K
The limbic system, often called the "emotional brain," is a complex set of structures located deep within the brain. The intricate network of the limbic system supports a wide range of psychological functions, from emotional regulation to memory formation and sensory processing. This functional brain region encompasses specific parts of the diencephalon and the cerebrum, integrating the higher mental functions of the cerebral cortex with the primitive emotional responses of the deep brain...
3.0K
01:24Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
555
The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at...
555