title: GABAA-benzodiazepine-chloride receptor-targeted therapy for tinnitus control: preliminary report.
abstract: Our goal was to attempt to establish neuropharmacological tinnitus control (i.e., relief) with medication directed to restoration of a deficiency in the gamma-aminobutyric acid-benzodiazepine-chloride receptor in tinnitus patients with a diagnosis of a predominantly central type tinnitus. Thirty tinnitus patients completed a medical audiological tinnitus patient protocol and brain magnetic resonance imaging and single-photon emission computed tomography of brain. Treatment with GABAergic and benzodiazepine medication continued for 4-6 weeks. A maintenance dose was continued when tinnitus control was positive. Intake and outcome questionnaires were completed. Of 30 patients, 21 completed the trial (70%). Tinnitus control lasting from 4-6 weeks to 3 years was reported by 19 of the 21 (90%). The trial was not completed by 9 of the 30 (30%). No patient experienced an increase in tinnitus intensity or annoyance. Sequential brain single-photon emission computed tomography in 10 patients revealed objective evidence of increased brain perfusion. Patients with a predominantly central type tinnitus experience significant tinnitus control with medication directed to the gamma-aminobutyric acid-benzodiazepine-chloride receptor.
authors.affiliation: Martha Entenmann Tinnitus Research Center, Health Science Center at Brooklyn, State University of New York, Box 1239, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. metrc@inch.com
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shulman
authors.forename: Arnold M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Strashun
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Goldstein
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000588:Amines; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018118:Chloride Channels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005260:Female; D018682:GABA Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D007322:Instillation, Drug; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D018118:Chloride Channels; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D018682:GABA Agents; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D002998:Clonazepam; D000077206:Gabapentin