The long-term effect of modulated acoustic stimulation on alteration in EEG brain network of chronic tinnitus patients: An exploratory study

Chanlin Yi; Chen Liu; Jiamin Zhang; Xiabing Zhang; Lin Jiang; Yajing Si; Gang He; Min Ao; Yong Zhao; Dezhong Yao; Fali Li; Xuntai Ma; Peng Xu; Baoming He

Brain Research Bulletin (Dec 2023)

The long-term effect of modulated acoustic stimulation on alteration in EEG brain network of chronic tinnitus patients: An exploratory study

Chanlin Yi,
Chen Liu,
Jiamin Zhang,
Xiabing Zhang,
Lin Jiang,
Yajing Si,
Gang He,
Min Ao,
Yong Zhao,
Dezhong Yao,
Fali Li,
Xuntai Ma,
Peng Xu,
Baoming He

Affiliations

Chanlin Yi: The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
Chen Liu: The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
Jiamin Zhang: The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
Xiabing Zhang: The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
Lin Jiang: The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
Yajing Si: The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; School of Psychology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
Gang He: Otolaryngology Department of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China
Min Ao: Otolaryngology Department of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China
Yong Zhao: Betterlife Medical Chengdu Co., Ltd, Chengdu 610000, China
Dezhong Yao: The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; School of Psychology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China; School of Electrical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Fali Li: The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; Research Unit of NeuroInformation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU035 Chengdu, China; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Macau, China
Xuntai Ma: Clinical Medical College of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, China; The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610599, China; Correspondence to: No. 32 West Second Section First Ring Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Peng Xu: The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610041, China; Rehabilitation Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Correspondence to: No. 32 West Second Section First Ring Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Baoming He: Department of Neurology, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China; Correspondence to: No. 32 West Second Section First Ring Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 205
p. 110812

Abstract

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Acoustic stimulation is one of the most influential techniques for distressing tinnitus, while how it functions to reverse neural changes associated with tinnitus remains undisclosed. In this study, our objective is to investigate alterations in brain networks to shed light on the enigma of acoustic intervention for tinnitus. We designed a 75-day long-term acoustic intervention experiment, during which chronic tinnitus patients received daily modulated acoustic stimulation with each session lasting 15 days. Every 15 days, professional tinnitus assessments were conducted, collecting both electroencephalogram (EEG) and tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) data from the patients. Thereafter, we investigated the changes in EEG network organizations during continuous acoustic stimulation and their progressive evolution throughout long-term therapy, alongside exploring the associations between the evolving changes of the network alterations and THI. Our current study findings reveal reorganization in alpha/beta long-range frontal-parietal-occipital connections as well as local frontal and parietal-occipital regions induced by acoustic stimulation. Furthermore, we observed a decrease in modulation effects as therapy sessions progressed. These alterations in brain networks reflect the reversal of tinnitus-related neural activities, particularly distress and perception; thus contributing to tinnitus rehabilitation through long-term modulation effects. This study provides unique insights into how long-term acoustic intervention affects the network organizations of tinnitus patients and deepens our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying tinnitus rehabilitation.

Published in Brain Research Bulletin

ISSN: 1873-2747 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/brain-research-bulletin

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