Levodopa does not enhance the effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in tinnitus treatment.
OBJECTIVE
Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown promise for the treatment of tinnitus. Experimental data from motor cortex stimulation in healthy subjects indicate that the suppressing effect of low-frequency rTMS can be enhanced by dopaminergic receptor activation. Here we investigated whether administration of the dopamine precursor levodopa before low-frequency rTMS enhances its efficacy in tinnitus treatment.


METHODS
Sixteen patients with chronic tinnitus received 100 mg of levodopa before each session of low-frequency rTMS. Results were compared with a matched control group of 16 patients who received the same treatment, but without levodopa. Treatment outcome was assessed with a standardized tinnitus questionnaire.


RESULTS
Both stimulation protocols resulted in a significant reduction of tinnitus scores after 10 days of stimulation; however, there was no significant difference between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that 100 mg of levodopa does not enhance the effect of rTMS in the treatment of tinnitus.
Kleinjung
Tobias
T
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. tobias.kleinjung@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
Steffens
Thomas
T
Landgrebe
Michael
M
Vielsmeier
Veronika
V
Frank
Elmar
E
Hajak
Göran
G
Strutz
Juergen
J
Langguth
Berthold
B
D002908:Chronic Disease; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000628:therapy*; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D007980:Levodopa