title: Involvement of cortico-subcortical circuits in normoacousic chronic tinnitus: A source localization EEG study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To better characterize brain circuits dysfunctions in normoacousic tinnitus sufferers.
  
  
  METHODS
  17 normoacousic chronic, unilateral high-pitched tinnitus sufferers (6 females, 43.6 ± 9.8 y.o, disease duration 22 ± 35 months) underwent a 29-channel resting-state electroencephalography (EEG - 5 min opened-eyes, 5 min closed-eyes) and auditory oddball paradigm for event-related potentials analyses (ERPs - N1, P2 and P300). Cortical 3D distribution of current source density was computed with sLORETA. Results were compared with 17 controls (9 females, 45.7 ± 15.1 y.o).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eyes opened, tinnitus sufferers had lower alpha and beta sources in the left inferior parietal lobule. Eyes closed, tinnitus sufferers had decreased alpha sources in the left inferior temporal and post-central gyri, and low gamma sources in the left middle temporal gyrus. EEG data did not correlate with tinnitus sufferers' clinical features. Subjects with tinnitus had shorter N1 and P2 latencies. P300 did not differ between groups. sLORETA solutions showed decreased sources of these ERPs in the left inferior temporal gyrus in the tinnitus group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We showed cortico-thalamo-cortical involvements in normoacousic tinnitus with hyperexcitability of the left auditory cortex and inferior temporal gyrus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This might reflect processes of maladaptive cortical plasticity and memory consolidation. Further validation is needed to establish the value of this tool in customizing therapeutic approach.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Neurophysiology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology - INSPE, Scientific Institute University Hospital San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Houdayer
authors.affiliation: ENT Division, Scientific Institute University Hospital San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Teggi
authors.affiliation: Experimental Neurophysiology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology - INSPE, Scientific Institute University Hospital San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Velikova
authors.affiliation: Experimental Neurophysiology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology - INSPE, Scientific Institute University Hospital San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Rosa
authors.affiliation: ENT Division, Scientific Institute University Hospital San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bussi
authors.affiliation: Experimental Neurophysiology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology - INSPE, Scientific Institute University Hospital San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Comi
authors.affiliation: Experimental Neurophysiology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology - INSPE, Scientific Institute University Hospital San Raffaele, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: letizia.leocani@hsr.it.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leocani
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013788:Thalamus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Electroencephalography; Event-related potentials; Resting state; Tinnitus; sLORETA