Tinnitus, the perception of non-existent sound like roaring, hissing or ringing in the ears may not be well understood. In an attempt to develop medication for this condition, experts from the University of Western Australia associated changes in a part of the brain with tinnitus generation. It was suggested that alterations in nerve cell electrical behavior can shed light on the abnormal ‘phantom’ perception of sound that is experienced by tinnitus sufferers.
Over the past years, the exact site in the brain where this abnormal nerve cell behavior occurs has been a contentious issue. In this research, scientists have employed a reliable animal model. This model can supposedly induce tinnitus and also measure brain cell activity.
Associate Professor Wilhelmina Mulders and colleagues believe that increased brain cell activity has a direct connection with tinnitus. Further analyzing this correlation can possibly aid in developing novel treatments for the condition. The research findings apparently have great significance in the health-space.
The research is published in The Journal of Neuroscience.