Tinnitus: neurobiological substrates.
Tinnitus is an auditory phantom sensation of ringing in the ears that is experienced when no external sound is present. It is a prevalent disorder that is frequently caused by insults to the peripheral auditory and somatosensory systems, especially in the elderly. This creates an imbalance between inhibitory and excitatory transmitter actions in the midbrain, auditory cortex and brainstem (where neural activity from somatosensory and auditory stimuli interact). This imbalance causes hyperexcitability often leading to the perception of phantom sounds. Although changes in transmitter-receptor systems have become better documented, there are currently no proven drug treatments for humans. Methods for preventing tinnitus have been demonstrated in animal studies.
Eggermont
Jos J
JJ
Departments of Physiology, Biophysics and Psychology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Alberta, Calgary T2N 1N4, Canada. eggermon@ucalgary.ca
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000633:toxicity; D005998:Glycine / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology
D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D002118:Calcium; D005998:Glycine