title: Noise Trauma Induced Neural Plasticity Throughout the Auditory System of Mongolian Gerbils: Differences between Tinnitus Developing and Non-Developing Animals.
abstract: In this study, we describe differences between neural plasticity in auditory cortex (AC) of animals that developed subjective tinnitus (group T) after noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) compared to those that did not [group non-tinnitus (NT)]. To this end, our analysis focuses on the input activity of cortical neurons based on the temporal and spectral analysis of local field potential (LFP) recordings and an in-depth analysis of auditory brainstem responses (ABR) in the same animals. In response to NIHL in NT animals we find a significant general reduction in overall cortical activity and spectral power as well as changes in all ABR wave amplitudes as a function of loudness. In contrast, T-animals show no significant change in overall cortical activity as assessed by root mean square analysis of LFP amplitudes, but a specific increase in LFP spectral power and in the amplitude of ABR wave V reflecting activity in the inferior colliculus (IC). Based on these results, we put forward a refined model of tinnitus prevention after NIHL that acts via a top-down global (i.e., frequency-unspecific) inhibition reducing overall neuronal activity in AC and IC, thereby counteracting NIHL-induced bottom-up frequency-specific neuroplasticity suggested in current models of tinnitus development.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Otolaryngology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen , Germany.
authors.forename: Konstantin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tziridis
authors.affiliation: Experimental Otolaryngology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen , Germany.
authors.forename: Sönke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahlf
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology , Magdeburg , Germany.
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jeschke
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology , Magdeburg , Germany ; Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke-University , Magdeburg , Germany.
authors.forename: Max F K
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Happel
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology , Magdeburg , Germany ; Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke-University , Magdeburg , Germany ; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences , Magdeburg , Germany.
authors.forename: Frank W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Ohl
authors.affiliation: Experimental Otolaryngology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen , Germany.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schulze
keywords: ABR; LFP; auditory brainstem; auditory cortex; electrophysiology