Oscillation and its inhibition in a neuronal network model for tinnitus sound therapy

Abstract

Tinnitus is the perception of phantom sounds in the ears or in the head. Sound therapy techniques for tinnitus treatment have been proposed. In order to investigate mechanisms of tinnitus generation and the clinical effects of sound therapy from the viewpoint of neural engineering, we have proposed a computational model using a neural oscillator. In the present paper, we propose another model that is composed of model neurons described by simplified Hodgkin-Huxley equations. By computer simulation it was detected that this model also has a bistable state, i.e., a stable oscillatory state and a stable equilibrium (non-oscillatory) state coexist at a certain parameter region. It was also noticed that the oscillation can be inhibited by supplying constant or pulse train stimuli, which is hypothesized as an afferent signal that is employed as an acoustical signal for tinnitus treatment. By hypothesizing that the oscillation and the equilibrium correspond to generation and inhibition of tinnitus, respectively, these phenomena could explain the fact that the habituated human auditory system temporarily halts perception of tinnitus following sound therapy.

Comparison of neuronal network models for tinnitus management by sound therapy

“…Later we proposed a different model composed of model neurons described by simplified Hodgkin-Huxley equations [8]. This model is still conceptual since it consists of only three neurons with positive and negative feedbacks, but more realistic than the previous one because it shows time series corresponding to the firings of neurons.…”

A Computational Model with Plasticity for Tinnitus Generation and its Relief by Sound Therapy

“…Computational models have been proposed as an effective approach to investigate mechanisms of tinnitus [22]- [25]. Previously our research team proposed computational and dynamical models with plasticity using a neural oscillator [26], [27] and neuronal networks with simplified Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) equations [28]- [32] to replicate not only the tinnitus generation but also the effect of sound therapy. The structure of our models was very simple.…”