Decoding tinnitus progression: neurochemical shifts in the anterior cingulate cortex revealed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy
BackgroundTinnitus persists as a significant public health challenge with elusive neurochemical underpinnings. Emerging evidence implicates dysregulated excitatory-inhibitory neurotransmission in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a limbic-auditory hub governing tinnitus salience. This study inves...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1551106/full |
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| author | Mengfang Gong Shuting Han Yongcong Shen Yonggang Li Ji-Sheng Liu Duo-Duo Tao |
| author_facet | Mengfang Gong Shuting Han Yongcong Shen Yonggang Li Ji-Sheng Liu Duo-Duo Tao |
| author_sort | Mengfang Gong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundTinnitus persists as a significant public health challenge with elusive neurochemical underpinnings. Emerging evidence implicates dysregulated excitatory-inhibitory neurotransmission in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a limbic-auditory hub governing tinnitus salience. This study investigates dynamic ACC neurochemical changes during tinnitus progression.MethodsUsing single-voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), GABA+/creatine (Cr) and Glx (glutamate+glutamine)/Cr ratios were measured in the ACC of 16 recent-onset (RO; <6 months), 22 chronic (CH; ≥6 months) tinnitus patients, and 26 healthy controls (HC). Tinnitus severity was assessed via tinnitometry and Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI).ResultsRO patients exhibited significantly reduced ACC GABA+/Cr compared to CH and HC groups (p < 0.05), while CH and HC showed no differences. GABA+/Cr positively correlated with tinnitus duration across patients (r = 0.364, p = 0.025). Although Glx/Cr did not differ between groups, elevated Glx/Cr associated with higher tinnitus pitch-matching frequencies (r = 0.421, p = 0.008) and emotional distress (TFI-E; r = 0.370, p = 0.022), though these findings did not survive multiple comparison correction.ConclusionEarly tinnitus is characterized by ACC GABAergic deficits, while chronicity features normalized GABA+/Cr levels—suggesting compensatory neuroplastic restoration of inhibition over time. Glutamatergic activity may modulate perceptual and emotional dimensions of tinnitus. These phase-specific ACC neurochemical shifts highlight potential therapeutic targets for arresting tinnitus progression. Longitudinal studies are warranted to validate temporal dynamics. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ab876143a02640fc85a26d0f52d5316e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1662-453X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj-art-ab876143a02640fc85a26d0f52d5316e2025-08-20T02:03:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2025-02-011910.3389/fnins.2025.15511061551106Decoding tinnitus progression: neurochemical shifts in the anterior cingulate cortex revealed by magnetic resonance spectroscopyMengfang Gong0Shuting Han1Yongcong Shen2Yonggang Li3Ji-Sheng Liu4Duo-Duo Tao5Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of Ear, Nose, and Throat, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of Ear, Nose, and Throat, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of Ear, Nose, and Throat, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, ChinaBackgroundTinnitus persists as a significant public health challenge with elusive neurochemical underpinnings. Emerging evidence implicates dysregulated excitatory-inhibitory neurotransmission in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a limbic-auditory hub governing tinnitus salience. This study investigates dynamic ACC neurochemical changes during tinnitus progression.MethodsUsing single-voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), GABA+/creatine (Cr) and Glx (glutamate+glutamine)/Cr ratios were measured in the ACC of 16 recent-onset (RO; <6 months), 22 chronic (CH; ≥6 months) tinnitus patients, and 26 healthy controls (HC). Tinnitus severity was assessed via tinnitometry and Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI).ResultsRO patients exhibited significantly reduced ACC GABA+/Cr compared to CH and HC groups (p < 0.05), while CH and HC showed no differences. GABA+/Cr positively correlated with tinnitus duration across patients (r = 0.364, p = 0.025). Although Glx/Cr did not differ between groups, elevated Glx/Cr associated with higher tinnitus pitch-matching frequencies (r = 0.421, p = 0.008) and emotional distress (TFI-E; r = 0.370, p = 0.022), though these findings did not survive multiple comparison correction.ConclusionEarly tinnitus is characterized by ACC GABAergic deficits, while chronicity features normalized GABA+/Cr levels—suggesting compensatory neuroplastic restoration of inhibition over time. Glutamatergic activity may modulate perceptual and emotional dimensions of tinnitus. These phase-specific ACC neurochemical shifts highlight potential therapeutic targets for arresting tinnitus progression. Longitudinal studies are warranted to validate temporal dynamics.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1551106/fulltinnitusGABAanterior cingulate cortexrecent onsetchronic |
| spellingShingle | Mengfang Gong Shuting Han Yongcong Shen Yonggang Li Ji-Sheng Liu Duo-Duo Tao Decoding tinnitus progression: neurochemical shifts in the anterior cingulate cortex revealed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy Frontiers in Neuroscience tinnitus GABA anterior cingulate cortex recent onset chronic |
| title | Decoding tinnitus progression: neurochemical shifts in the anterior cingulate cortex revealed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy |
| title_full | Decoding tinnitus progression: neurochemical shifts in the anterior cingulate cortex revealed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy |
| title_fullStr | Decoding tinnitus progression: neurochemical shifts in the anterior cingulate cortex revealed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Decoding tinnitus progression: neurochemical shifts in the anterior cingulate cortex revealed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy |
| title_short | Decoding tinnitus progression: neurochemical shifts in the anterior cingulate cortex revealed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy |
| title_sort | decoding tinnitus progression neurochemical shifts in the anterior cingulate cortex revealed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy |
| topic | tinnitus GABA anterior cingulate cortex recent onset chronic |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1551106/full |
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