The study on the neuronal mechanism of tinnitus in the auditory centers.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K09918
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: Kanazawa Medical University
• Principal Investigator: ONO Munenori 金沢医科大学, 医学部, 准教授 (30422942)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 西村 幸司 京都大学, 医学研究科, 助教 (20405765)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 耳鳴 / 難聴 / 興奮性神経/抑制性神経

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We found that the deafness caused by acoustic trauma induced the alteration in the balance of the activities of inhibitory and excitatory neurons in the auditory center. In control animals, the spontaneous firing rate was higher in inhibitory neurons than in excitatory neurons. However, in the animals with acoustic trauma, the spontaneous firing rate was enhanced in excitatory neurons only, so that the balance of spontaneous activities between inhibitory and excitatory neurons was inverted. Further, we developed the infrared laser stimulation apparutus, which aimed to stimulate the auditory nerve and relieve the tinnitus induced by deafness.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

耳鳴は感音難聴にしばしば随伴する。超高齢化社会を迎えた現在、老年性難聴の患者は増加し、同時に耳鳴にも悩まされている。本研究において耳鳴の原因と考えられる神経活動変化が発見されたことで、これまで不可能であった耳鳴を抑制するための治療開発に大きく貢献すると考えられる。