Excitotoxicity: New Class of Fibers Could Explain Tinnitus

[Frédéric]

I came across an article written in French by a French magazine. I couldn't find an English equivalent, so you may need to use a translation tool. I'm sharing this article because it includes interesting graphs that do not appear in the research publication from PNAS (at least not in the abstract).

Please note that the word "tinnitus" does not appear in the PNAS abstract or link.

• Une nouvelle classe de fibres pourrait expliquer les acouphènes
• Phenotypic changes of auditory nerve fibers after excitotoxicity

 

[Josh59]

I came across an article written in French by a French magazine. I couldn't find an English equivalent, so you may need to use a translation tool. I'm sharing this article because it includes interesting graphs that do not appear in the research publication from PNAS (at least not in the abstract).

Please note that the word "tinnitus" does not appear in the PNAS abstract or link.

• Une nouvelle classe de fibres pourrait expliquer les acouphènes
• Phenotypic changes of auditory nerve fibers after excitotoxicity

Hello Frédéric,

Interesting research mentioned by Professor Puel.

I would like to quote the following:

"The development of an effective therapy for tinnitus and hyperacusis remains a major challenge. However, understanding the underlying excitotoxic mechanisms is crucial to the development of future treatments. Until now, therapeutic strategies have been based on the use of neurotrophins to induce regrowth of auditory nerve fibres damaged by noise. However, our research has shown that regeneration of damaged fibres does not guarantee the restoration of normal activity. Consequently, regulating the activity of the newly formed synapses is just as essential if we are to hope to treat tinnitus and hyperacusis effectively."

This shows that research is moving forward and that our understanding of tinnitus and hyperacusis is steadily improving. That said, we are still far from having the drug that will put an end to our symptoms.

 

[Joeseph Stope]

Hello Frédéric,

Interesting research mentioned by Professor Puel.

I would like to quote the following:

"The development of an effective therapy for tinnitus and hyperacusis remains a major challenge. However, understanding the underlying excitotoxic mechanisms is crucial to the development of future treatments. Until now, therapeutic strategies have been based on the use of neurotrophins to induce regrowth of auditory nerve fibres damaged by noise. However, our research has shown that regeneration of damaged fibres does not guarantee the restoration of normal activity. Consequently, regulating the activity of the newly formed synapses is just as essential if we are to hope to treat tinnitus and hyperacusis effectively."

This shows that research is moving forward and that our understanding of tinnitus and hyperacusis is steadily improving. That said, we are still far from having the drug that will put an end to our symptoms.

Just me surmising again, so perhaps it's nonsense.

Starting with the first ten words of the quote: "The development of an effective therapy for tinnitus and hyperacusis…"

First, the patient presents to the ENT with subjective tinnitus. After being checked for earwax blockage and tumors, they may be given a shot of Prednisone—provided they are not allergic to it.

There is a wide range of therapies currently in use, but nearly all remissions seem to occur within the first year or so. After two years, tinnitus is generally considered chronic. What seems important is that the patient receives attention early on.

It makes one wonder how the success rate of a placebo would compare to that of conventional therapies.

After undergoing therapy, the patient is considered cured if the tinnitus has disappeared—or if they have come to terms with it. So in a way, the cure is just as subjective as the condition itself.

Hopefully, science is beginning to gain a better understanding. In terms of a cure, we do not seem to have made much progress in the past 30 years, but somehow I get the feeling that we have come a long way.

I guess I'm just a compulsive optimist.