Quantitative analysis of white matter brain changes in tinnitus patients with normal hearing: a case-controlled study with diffusion tensor imaging

Abstract Background This research aimed at assessing the white matter microstructural (WM) brain changes in tinnitus patients with bilateral normal peripheral hearing using diffuse tensor imaging to test whether, alone without loss can cause WM or not. Patients and materials Twenty-eight were enrolled this research, 14 (audiometrically proven) controls. All subjects underwent a full basic audiological evaluation, matching, asked fill Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire. They diffusion imaging, mean diffusivity (MD) fractional anisotropy (FA) values measured special parts of central auditory pathway, limbic system. A comparison between study control groups was held as regards MD FA different sites an independent sample Student t-test Mann–Whitney U test. Furthermore, relationship THI scores MD/FA measures examined by correlation tests. Results As values, some regions [lateral lemniscus (LL), inferior colliculus (IC), frontal arcuate fasciculi (AF) parahippocampus] showed statistically significant decreased group compared Normal Hearing (NH) (p < 0.05). , significantly higher (auditory cortex, amygdala, AF) correlations positive Rt Amygdala (r = 0.55, p 0.04). Conclusions The pathway affection is proved (as least evidenced conventional examinations) auditory-limbic association so far. involvement IC confirms subcortical centres generation tinnitus. Auditory associations are also impacted effect