Recent-Onset and Persistent Tinnitus: Uncover the Differences in Brain Activities using Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologies

Abstract

Objective: This project aimed to investigate the differences in the intra-regional brain activity and inter-regional functional connectivity between patients with recent-onset tinnitus and persistent tinnitus using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) technologies, including the Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and Voxel-Wise Functional Connectivity (FC). Method: We acquired rs-fMRI scans from 82 subjects (25 subjects without recent-onset tinnitus, 28 subjects with persistent tinnitus, and 29 subjects as healthy control). Age, gender, and year of education were matched across all three groups. We performed ALFF, ReHo, and Voxel-Wise Functional Connectivity (FC) for all subjects. Result: Compared with the control group (CN), subjects with recent-onset tinnitus (ROT) and with persistent tinnitus (PT) manifested significantly reduced ALFF and ReHo activity within the left and right dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and Gyrus Rectus (GR). Additional Voxel-Wise Functional Connectivity (FC) revealed decreased connectivity between the dorsolateral SFG (left and right) and right Superior Parietal Gyrus (SPG), right Middle Frontal Gyrus (MFG), and left medial Superior Frontal Gyrus (mSFG) within these two groups. Significant differences were observed between the ROT and PT groups, with the ROT group demonstrating reduced functional connectivities. Conclusion: Upon analyzing our data, we suggested that patients with persistent tinnitus have more difficulty monitoring external stimuli and reorienting attention than patients with recent-onset tinnitus. In addition, patients who perceive higher levels of disruption from tinnitus are more likely to develop persistent and debilitating tinnitus once the tinnitus lasts longer than six months. Therefore, we strongly recommend that clinicians implement effective tinnitus management strategies for patients with recent-onset tinnitus as soon as possible.