title: An electrophysiological approach to tinnitus interpretation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Serotonin seems to play a central role in tinnitus. The intensity dependence of auditory evoked potential (IDAP) is considered an index of central serotonergic activity in the auditory cortex. The higher the steepness of the N1/P2 component amplitude-stimulus function slope (N1/P2 ASF slope as calculated by IDAP), the lower the central serotonergic activity. Similarly, the N1 amplitude-stimulus function slope (N1 ASF slope) was investigated. Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) examine the auditory system functionality from the periphery and through the brainstem, where serotonergic projections have been identified.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Assessing whether tinnitus perception neurotransmitters activity inbalance could be investigated by an electrophysiological approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten normoacousic tinnitus patients and 14 healthy controls were included in the study. Subjects underwent EEG (IDAP) recording, ABR recording and psychometric questionnaires administration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  N1/P2 ASF slope and N1ASF slope tended to have a greater steepness in patients. N1ASF slope was significantly correlated with ABR wave V and interpeak III-V latencies in patients. ABR wave V and interpeak III-V latencies were significantly longer in patients than in controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  N1/P2 ASF slope, N1 ASF slope and ABR components appear to be useful electrophysiologic methods to study possible functional alterations related to the serotonergic activity.
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Cartocci
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Attanasio
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Fattapposta
authors: Nicoletta
authors: N
authors: Locuratolo
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Mannarelli
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Filipo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin