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Temporal Changes in Functional and Structural Neuronal Activities in Auditory System in Non-Severe Blast-Induced
Ningning Shao1, Maciej Skotak1, Navya Pendyala1
1Center for Injury Biomechanics, Materials and Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 111 Lock Street, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
|September 28, 2023
Summary
Blast-induced tinnitus, a common issue for veterans, stems from auditory system damage. This study reveals shock waves cause more severe tinnitus and hearing loss than impulsive noise, impacting neuronal activity and leading to anxiety and sleep issues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory System Research
- Military Medicine
Background:
- Blast exposure is a leading cause of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Service Members (SMs).
- Blast-induced tinnitus is a prevalent but poorly understood comorbidity among veterans.
- Tinnitus is linked to auditory system damage, abnormal neuronal activity, and neuroplasticity changes, often co-occurring with sleep disruption and anxiety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanistic aspects of sensorineural injury caused by blast shock waves and impulsive noise.
- To investigate the role of neurotransmitter receptors and synapses in auditory cortex injury post-blast exposure.
- To differentiate the effects of shock wave versus impulsive noise exposure on tinnitus induction and auditory impairment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an animal model with protected ears to minimize conductive damage, focusing on sensorineural injury.
- Assessed hearing circuitry via acoustic startle response (ASR) and sensorineural status using auditory brainstem response (ABR).
- Compared blast-induced tinnitus with a sodium salicylate model and evaluated neurotransmitter receptor and synapse expression in the auditory cortex.
Main Results:
- Blast shock wave exposure caused sustained elevated ABR thresholds, indicative of sensorineural impairment, while impulsive noise caused transient shifts.
- Increased ribbon synapse expression suggested neuroinflammation and metabolic disorders.
- Tinnitus onset correlated with anxiety, depression-like symptoms, and altered sleep patterns, with shock waves having a greater impact than impulsive noise.
Conclusions:
- Shock waves are more detrimental than impulsive noise in inducing tinnitus and sensorineural auditory impairments.
- Blast injury affects auditory system structure and function, contributing to tinnitus pathophysiology.
- Findings provide significant insights into the mechanisms underlying blast-induced tinnitus and associated comorbidities.
