MRI — Magnetic Resonance Imaging: a Guide For Cortical Stimulation of Chronic Tinnitus

Discussion in 'Research News' started by erik, Aug 26, 2012.

    1. erik
      Breezy

      erik Manager Staff Benefactor

      Location:
      Washington State, USA
      Tinnitus Since:
      04/15/2012
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Most likely hearing loss
      Published Aug 24, 2012

      Morphometry and localization of the temporal transverse Heschl's gyrus in magnetic resonance imaging: a guide for cortical stimulation of chronic tinnitus.


      Abstract

      PURPOSE:​
      Subjective tinnitus is considered a phantom auditory phenomenon. Recent studies show that electrical or magnetic stimulation of the cortex can alleviate some tinnitus. The usual target of the stimulation is the primary auditory cortex (PAC) on Heschl's gyrus (HG). The objective of this study was to specify the anatomy of HG by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

      METHODS:​
      Cerebral MRI of 60 patients with chronic tinnitus, carried out before neuronavigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation targeting the auditory cortex, were included. 3D-T1 MRI was reformatted in Talairach-Tournoux's stereotactic space, then the following steps were performed: morphometry of HG, localization of the probabilistic center of the PAC (pcPAC) chosen at the junction between the medial third and the lateral two-thirds of HG, relative to external and cortical landmarks, and identification of its coordinates relative to the bicommissural line (AC-PC).

      RESULTS:​
      In relation to external landmarks, the pcPAC was identified around 5 cm above the root of the helix of the ear in the direction of a point on the vertex located 4 cm behind the coronal suture, for both sides. In Talairach-Tournoux's stereotactic space with the anterior commissure as the origin, the pcPAC coordinates were x = 43, y = -20, z = 6.8 on the right side, and x = -42.5, y = -21.5, and z = 6.5 on the left. Probabilistic maps of the presence of HG pointed to a relative contraction of data in space, despite inter- and intraindividual differences.

      CONCLUSION:​
      The choice of our stimulation target was established in the middle of the theoretical position of the PAC. MRI allows a reliable identification of the target structure.

      Basically saying that MRI can help better pin point Heschl's gyrus (HG) located in the auditory cortex, and with electrical stimulation of this region could relieve tinnitus. Any research is good research - Erik
       
      erik, Aug 26, 2012
      #1
    2. calin
      Inspired

      calin Member Benefactor

      Tinnitus Since:
      Oct 2011
      Nice!
       
      calin, Aug 26, 2012
      #2
    3. mock turtle

      mock turtle Member

      Location:
      puget sound
      Tinnitus Since:
      07/26/1992...habituated after 2 years; 11/04/11 new outbreak
      i read that heschls gyrus is the first cortical structure to process incoming auditory stimuli

      i wonder if that true ?...hmmm... must be right after the dorsal cochlear nucleus??
       
      mock turtle, Aug 27, 2012
      #3
    4. Fish
      Balanced

      Fish Member Benefactor

      Location:
      Poland
      Tinnitus Since:
      July 2012
      Thank you erik, not just for this article but for all other ones you post here. This gives me (and others too) hope that there is a lot of ongoing research to help us after all... :)
       
      • Like Like x 1
      Fish, Aug 27, 2012
      #4

Share This Page

If you have ringing ears then you've come to the right place. We are a friendly tinnitus support board, dedicated to helping you discuss and understand what tinnitus treatments may work for you.