The relevance of spontaneous activity for the coding of the tinnitus sensation

Weisz, Nathan; Dohrmann, Katalin; Elbert, Thomas

doi:10.1016/s0079-6123(07)66006-3

Cited by 149 publications

(156 citation statements)

References 42 publications

(51 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

133

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…However, Ashton et al found no consistent relationship between the laterality of TI and the side of maximal gamma activity (ipsilateral in five patients and contralateral in three). This finding contradicts the claim by Weisz et al (2007b) that the scalp distribution of gamma activity determines TI laterality. Also in contrast to previous MEG studies, Ashton et al found no evidence of abnormal activity in any of the low-frequency bands.…”

Section: Human Neuroimaging Studiescontrasting

confidence: 89%

“…It is interesting to note that no abnormalities were reported in the gamma frequency band because "downsampling of the data did not permit analysis in this frequency band". Gamma band activity was examined in a subsequent study in which data were acquired at the same sampling rate (678 Hz) and filtered using the same bandwidth (1 to 200 Hz), but were not downsampled (Weisz et al, 2007b). 26 TI patients were compared with 21 controls.…”

Section: Human Neuroimaging Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The mechanisms of tinnitus: Perspectives from human functional neuroimaging

2009

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this review, we highlight the contribution of advances in human neuroimaging to the current understanding of central mechanisms underpinning tinnitus and explain how interpretations of neuroimaging data have been guided by animal models. The primary motivation for studying the neural subtrates of tinnitus in humans has been to demonstrate objectively its representation in the central auditory system and to develop a better understanding of its diverse pathophysiology and of the functional interplay between sensory, cognitive and affective systems. The ultimate goal of neuroimaging is to identify subtypes of tinnitus in order to better inform treatment strategies. The three neural mechanisms considered in this review may provide a basis for TI classification. While human neuroimaging evidence strongly implicates the central auditory system and emotional centres in TI, evidence for the precise contribution from the three mechanisms is unclear because the data are somewhat inconsistent. We consider a number of methodological issues limiting the field of human neuroimaging and recommend approaches to overcome potential inconsistency in results arising from poorly matched participants, lack of appropriate controls and low statistical power. AbstractIn this review, we highlight the contribution of advances in human neuroimaging to the current understanding of central mechanisms underpinning tinnitus and explain how interpretations of neuroimaging data have been guided by animal models. The primary motivation for studying the neural subtrates of tinnitus in humans has been to demonstrate objectively its representation in the central auditory system and to develop a better understanding of its diverse pathophysiology and of the functional interplay between sensory, cognitive and affective systems. The ultimate goal of neuroimaging is to identify subtypes of tinnitus in order to better inform treatment strategies. The three neural mechanisms considered in this review may provide a basis for TI classification. While human neuroimaging evidence strongly implicates the central auditory system and emotional centres in TI, evidence for the precise contribution from the three mechanisms is unclear because the data are somewhat inconsistent. We consider a number of methodological issues limiting the field of human neuroimaging and recommend approaches to overcome potential inconsistency in results arising from poorly matched participants, lack of appropriate controls and low statistical power.

show abstract

Section: Human Neuroimaging Studiescontrasting

confidence: 89%

Section: Human Neuroimaging Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The mechanisms of tinnitus: Perspectives from human functional neuroimaging

2009

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Moreover, electroencephalography studies have demonstrated that γ-band activity in the auditory cortex reflects the tinnitus intensity (29), analogous to intensity coding in normal auditory perception (30). The γ-band activity noted in tinnitus patients goes along with decreased α (31) and increased θ activity (27,32). This coupled θ-γ activity coordinates activity in distributed cortical areas, providing a mechanism for effective communication between these distributed areas (33).…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

Phantom percepts: Tinnitus and pain as persisting aversive memory networks

Ridder¹,

Elgoyhen

Romo

et al. 2011

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

545

482

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Phantom perception refers to the conscious awareness of a percept in the absence of an external stimulus. On the basis of basic neuroscience on perception and clinical research in phantom pain and phantom sound, we propose a working model for their origin. Sensory deafferentation results in high-frequency, gamma band, synchronized neuronal activity in the sensory cortex. This activity becomes a conscious percept only if it is connected to larger coactivated "(self-)awareness" and "salience" brain networks. Through the involvement of learning mechanisms, the phantom percept becomes associated to distress, which in turn is reflected by a simultaneously coactivated nonspecific distress network consisting of the anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, and amygdala. Memory mechanisms play a role in the persistence of the awareness of the phantom percept, as well as in the reinforcement of the associated distress. Thus, different dynamic overlapping brain networks should be considered as targets for the treatment of this disorder.A fundamental concept in psychology and philosophy of the mind is the notion of perception: The act of interpreting and organizing a sensory stimulus to produce a meaningful experience of the world and of oneself. A stimulus produces an effect on the different sensory receptors, inducing sensation. Further processing of this sensory stimulation generates an internal representation of the outer and inner world called a percept. Since the first days of psychology, two challenging questions have existed: How is sensory information encoded and, in particular, how is this represented information transformed into the individual awareness of a conscious percept (1)? Our understanding of sensory encoding, perception, and consciousness is challenged with a further degree of complexity in the case of phantom perception, the conscious awareness of a percept in the absence of an external stimulus. Deciphering the underlying neural correlates of phantom perception is a scientific endeavor that will aid in understanding the active processes of selecting, organizing, and interpreting information, which ultimately lead to the formation of a conscious percept within the brain.Although some cases of phantom percepts have been described for the visual, olfactory, and gustatory systems, the vast majority of sensory phantoms are those present in the somatosensory (phantom limb perception/phantom limb pain and neuropathic pain) (2) and auditory (tinnitus) (3) modalities. Upfront we are challenged with the following questions: In the absence of an external sensory stimulus, where and how in the brain is the conscious percept generated? In addition, are the neural substrates underlying the generation of a conscious phantom percept similar for the auditory and somatosensory modalities? If so, can we advance in our understanding and treatment of tinnitus on the basis of what is known for phantom limb and phantom pain perception and vice versa? Here, we address these questions and propose a working model of how pha...

show abstract

“…As individuals with tinnitus continuously hear an internal sound, it is conceivable that the power of their tau rhythms is reduced. Weisz et al 2007 (Chapter 6) provide more information regarding the relationship between ongoing oscillatory activity and tinnitus.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurofeedback for treating tinnitus

Dohrmann

Weisz

Schlee

et al. 2007

Tinnitus: Pathophysiology and Treatment

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Many individuals with tinnitus have abnormal oscillatory brain activity. Led by this finding, we have developed a way to normalize such pathological activity by neurofeedback techniques (Weisz et al. (2005). PLoS Med., 2: e153). This is achieved mainly through enhancement of tau activity, i.e., oscillatory activity produced in perisylvian regions within the alpha frequency range (8-12 Hz) and concomitant reduction in delta power range (0.5-4 Hz). This activity is recorded from electrodes placed on the frontal scalp. We have found that modification of the tau-to-delta ratio significantly reduces tinnitus intensity. Participants who successfully modified their oscillatory pattern profited from the treatment to the extent that the tinnitus sensation became completely abolished. Overall, this neurofeedback training was significantly superiorin reducing tinnitus-related distress than frequency discrimination training.

show abstract

The relevance of spontaneous activity for the coding of the tinnitus sensation

Cited by 149 publications

References 42 publications

The mechanisms of tinnitus: Perspectives from human functional neuroimaging

The mechanisms of tinnitus: Perspectives from human functional neuroimaging

Phantom percepts: Tinnitus and pain as persisting aversive memory networks

Neurofeedback for treating tinnitus

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About