Recent-onset and persistent tinnitus: Uncovering the differences in brain activities using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging technologies

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the differences in intra-regional brain activity and inter-regional functional connectivity between patients with recent-onset tinnitus (ROT) and persistent tinnitus (PT) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), including the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and voxel-wise functional connectivity (FC).MethodWe acquired rs-fMRI scans from 82 patients (25 without recent-onset tinnitus, 28 with persistent tinnitus, and 29 healthy controls). Age, sex, and years of education were matched across the three groups. We performed ALFF, ReHo, and voxel-wise FC analyses for all patients.ResultsCompared with the control group, participants with ROT and 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 FC revealed decreased connectivity between the dorsolateral SFG (left and right) and the 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 FC.ConclusionOur data suggest that patients with PT have more difficulty monitoring external stimuli and reorienting attention than patients with ROT. 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 in patients with ROT as soon as possible.

Reduced Intra- and Inter-Network Functional Connectivity Identified in Patients with Tinnitus with and without Hearing Loss

“…Nevertheless, studies using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) have indicated that it arises from a disruption of regional neural activity and connectivity between nonauditory networks (ANs). Specifically, the auditory neural networks of patients with tinnitus do not significantly differ from those with tinnitus and hearing loss [Du et al, 2022]. This finding confirms our previous result that disruptions in brain regions responsible for attention, stimuli monitoring, and auditory orientation can lead to tinnitus.…”

“…Our study indicated that patients with tinnitus and normal hearing and those with tinnitus and hearing loss demonstrated significantly reduced amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation and regional homogeneity activity in the left and right dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus (SFG). An additional voxel-wise functional connectivity (FC) analysis revealed reduced FC of the left and right dorsolateral SFG (dlSFG) with the right superior parietal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus (MFG), and left medial SFG in patients with only tinnitus and those with both hearing loss and tinnitus [Du et al, 2022], compared to healthy control individuals.…”