Auditory cortex hyperconnectivity before rTMS is correlated with tinnitus improvement.

INTRODUCTION: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been used as a potential treatment for tinnitus; however, its effectiveness is variable and unpredictable. We hypothesized that resting-state functional connectivity before rTMS may be correlated with rTMS treatment effectiveness. METHODS: We applied 1-Hz rTMS to the left primary auditory (A1) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC) of 10 individuals with tinnitus and 10 age-matched controls. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies were performed approximately one week before rTMS. Seed-based connectivity analyses were conducted for each individual, with seed regions as rTMS target areas. RESULTS: Compared to controls, the left superior temporal areas showed significantly increased positive connectivity with the left A1 and negative connectivity with the left DLPFC in the tinnitus group. The left frontoparietal and right cerebellar areas showed significantly increased negative connectivity with the left A1 and positive connectivity with the left DLPFC. Seed-based hyperconnectivity was correlated with tinnitus improvement (pre-rTMS vs. 2-week post-rTMS Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores). Tinnitus improvement was significantly correlated with left A1 hyperconnectivity; however, no correlation was observed with left DLPFC connectivity. Positive rTMS outcomes were associated with significantly increased positive connectivity in bilateral superior temporal areas and significantly increased negative connectivity in bilateral frontal areas. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that oversynchronisation of left A1 connectivity before rTMS of the left A1 and DLPFC is associated with treatment effectiveness.

Auditory cortex hyperconnectivity before rTMS is correlated with tinnitus improvement / Correlación entre hiperconectividad de la corteza auditiva antes del tratamiento con estimulación magnética transcraneal repetitiva y mejoría de los acúfenos

Introduction: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been used as a potential treatment for tinnitus; however, its effectiveness is variable and unpredictable. We hypothesized that resting-state functional connectivity before rTMS may be correlated with rTMS treatment effectiveness. Methods: We applied 1-Hz rTMS to the left primary auditory (A1) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC) of 10 individuals with tinnitus and 10 age-matched controls. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies were performed approximately one week before rTMS. Seed-based connectivity analyses were conducted for each individual, with seed regions as rTMS target areas. Results: Compared to controls, the left superior temporal areas showed significantly increased positive connectivity with the left A1 and negative connectivity with the left DLPFC in the tinnitus group. The left frontoparietal and right cerebellar areas showed significantly increased negative connectivity with the left A1 and positive connectivity with the left DLPFC. Seed-based hyperconnectivity was correlated with tinnitus improvement (pre-rTMS vs. 2-week post-rTMS Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores). Tinnitus improvement was significantly correlated with left A1 hyperconnectivity; however, no correlation was observed with left DLPFC connectivity. Positive rTMS outcomes were associated with significantly increased positive connectivity in bilateral superior temporal areas and significantly increased negative connectivity in bilateral frontal areas. Conclusions: Our results suggest that oversynchronisation of left A1 connectivity before rTMS of the left A1 and DLPFC is associated with treatment effectiveness.(AU)

Introducción: La estimulación magnética transcraneal repetitiva (EMTr) se ha utilizado como posible tratamiento para los acúfenos, aunque su efectividad es variable e impredecible. Planteamos la hipótesis de que existe una correlación entre la conectividad funcional en estado de reposo antes de aplicar EMTr y la efectividad de dicho tratamiento. Métodos: Aplicamos EMTr a 1 Hz sobre la corteza auditiva primaria (A1) y la corteza prefrontal dorsolateral (CPFDL) izquierdas de 10 pacientes con acúfenos y 10 controles del mismo rango de edad. Se realizaron estudios de resonancia magnética funcional (RMF) en estado de reposo de todos los pacientes aproximadamente una semana antes de la EMTr. En cada caso, se construyó un mapa de conectividad basado en las ROIs, en el que las ROIs eran las áreas que se tratarían con la EMTr. Resultados: La región temporal superior izquierda mostró una conectividad positiva significativamente mayor con el área A1 izquierda y mayor conectividad negativa con la CPFDL izquierda en los pacientes con acúfenos que en los controles. Además, las áreas frontoparietal izquierda y cerebelar derecha mostraron una conectividad negativa significativamente superior con el área A1 izquierda y mayor conectividad positiva con la CPFDL izquierda. La hiperconectividad de las ROIs se correlacionó con mejoría de los acúfenos según las puntuaciones pre-EMTr y 2 semanas post-EMTr en la escala Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. La mejoría de los acúfenos se correlacionó de manera significativa con la hiperconectividad del área A1 izquierda; sin embargo, no se encontró correlación con la conectividad de la CPFDL izquierda. El resultado favorable del tratamiento con EMTr se asocia con una mayor conectividad positiva en áreas temporales superiores de ambos hemisferios y con mayor conectividad negativa en áreas frontales bilaterales...(AU)

Eficacia del neurofeedback como tratamiento para personas con tinnitus subjetivo en la reducción del síntoma y de las consecuencias relacionadas: una revisión sistemática del 2010 al 2020 / Efficacy of Neurofeedback as a treatment for people with subjective tinnitus in reducing the symptom and related consequences: A systematic review from 2010 to 2020

Antecedentes y objetivo El tinnitus es un síntoma experimentado por millones de personas alrededor del mundo, genera consecuencias a nivel psicológico, físico y social. Existen diferentes opciones terapéuticas que buscan disminuir el síntoma y las consecuencias relacionadas. Una de las alternativas más novedosas es el entrenamiento con neurofeedback, una técnica de neuromodulación en la que se busca modificar la actividad cerebral. El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la eficacia de los parámetros del tratamiento con neurofeedback en la reducción de la percepción del tinnitus y en la disminución de las consecuencias conductuales desencadenadas por el síntoma, mediante una revisión sistemática comprendida entre los años 2010 y 2020. Materiales y métodos La búsqueda de datos fue realizada en español e inglés, y se llevó a cabo en las bases de datos PubMed/MedLine, EBSCO Host, Embase, Scopus, CENTRAL, SpringerLink y OpenGrey. La revisión sistemática fue realizada conforme las etapas establecidas por PRISMA y se identificaron 5 estudios para ser incluidos en el análisis cualitativo. Resultados La totalidad de los estudios reportaron que el entrenamiento con neurofeedback para el tinnitus disminuyó la percepción del síntoma y las consecuencias relacionadas. A nivel neural se dio un aumento de la actividad de la onda alfa y la disminución de la actividad de delta, gamma y beta. Conclusiones El neurofeedback posee un efecto modulador sobre los patrones de actividad cerebral. Sin embargo, aunque la totalidad de los estudios reportaron una disminución de las consecuencias relacionadas con el síntoma a nivel conductual después del tratamiento, debido a la falta de desarrollo de esta técnica para el síntoma y las características de los estudios revisados, no se puede tener certeza de la eficacia sobre las consecuencias conductuales y neurofisiológicas. (AU)

Background and objective Tinnitus is a symptom experienced by millions of people around the world, generating psychological, physical, and social consequences. There are different therapeutic options that seek to reduce the symptom and the related consequences. One of the newest alternatives is training with Neurofeedback, a neuromodulation technique that looks for modify brain activity. The objective of this research was to determine the efficacy of Neurofeedback treatment parameters in reducing the perception of tinnitus and in reducing the behavioral consequences triggered by the symptom, through a systematic review between 2010 and 2020. Materials and methods The data search was carried out in Spanish and English on PubMed/MedLine, EBSCO Host, Embase, Scopus, CENTRAL, SpringerLink and OpenGrey databases. The systematic review was carried out according to the stages established by PRISMA and five studies were identified to be included in the qualitative analysis. Results All studies demonstrated that NFB training for tinnitus decreases symptom perception and related consequences. At the neural level, there was an increase in the activity of the alpha wave and a decrease in the activity of delta, gamma, and beta. Conclusions Neurofeedback has a modulating effect on brain activity patterns. However, although all the studies reported a decrease in the consequences related to the symptom at the behavioral level after treatment, due to the lack of development of this technique for the symptom and the characteristics of the studies reviewed, it cannot be certainty of efficacy on behavioral and neurophysiological consequences. (AU)

Factores asociados a un mayor grado de incapacidad por acúfenos en pacientes del servicio de Otorrinolaringología de una Clínica en Lima

Objetivo: Identificar los factores asociados a un mayor grado de incapacidad por acúfenos en pacientes del servicio de Otorrinolaringología en una clínica de Lima-Perú. El estudio: La muestra estuvo conformada por 100 pacientes que manifestaron sufrir de acufenos, a quienes se les aplicó el cuestionario Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Para el análisis comparativo se usó el test de Chi-Square o Kruskal-Wallis. Para determinar la asociación entre las variables de estudio se usaron modelos de regresión de Poisson, con intervalos de confianza al 95%. Hallazgos: El 94% de los participantes presentaron algún grado de incapacidad por acufenos, 40% de grado severo. Por cada año cumplido aumenta 7% la probabilidad de padecer incapacidad grave por acufenos, mientras que ser hipertenso y tener depresión aumentan esta probabilidad en 8 y 4.8 veces respectivamente. Conclusiones: La edad, la Hipertensión y la depresión son factores asociados a un mayor grado de incapacidad por acúfenos.

Objective: The goal of this investigation was to determine the factors associated with a higher degree of disability due to tinnitus in patients of the otorhinolaryngology service in a clinic in Lima-Peru. The study: The sample consisted of 100 patients who reported suffering from tinnitus, to whom the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire was applied. For the comparative analysis, either the Chi-Square or the Kruskal-Wallis test was used. To determine the association between the study variables, Poisson regression models were used, with 95% confidence intervals. Findings: Of the participants, 94% exhibited some degree of disability due to tinnitus. For 40% of the patients the disability was found to be severe. For every subsequent year of age, the probability of suffering from severe disability due to tinnitus increases by 7%, while being hypertensive and having depression increased this probability by 8 and 4.8 times, respectively. Conclusions: age, hypertension and depression are factors associated with a higher degree of disability due to tinnitus.

Efficacy of neurofeedback as a treatment for people with subjective tinnitus in reducing the symptom and related consequences: a systematic review from 2010 to 2020.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tinnitus is a symptom experienced by millions of people around the world, generating psychological, physical and social consequences. There are different therapeutic options that seek to reduce the symptom and the related consequences. One of the newest alternatives is training with Neurofeedback, a neuromodulation technique that looks for modify brain activity. The objective of this research was to determine the efficacy of Neurofeedback treatment parameters in reducing the perception of tinnitus and in reducing the behavioral consequences triggered by the symptom, through a systematic review between 2010 and 2020. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data search was carried out in Spanish and English on PubMed/MedLine, EBSCO Host, Embase, Scopus, CENTRAL, SpringerLink and OpenGrey databases. The systematic review was carried out according to the stages established by PRISMA and five studies were identified to be included in the qualitative analysis. RESULTS: All studies demonstrated that NFB training for tinnitus decreases symptom perception and related consequences. At the neural level, there was an increase in the activity of the alpha wave and a decrease in the activity of delta, gamma and beta. CONCLUSIONS: Neurofeedback has a modulating effect on brain activity patterns. However, although all the studies reported a decrease in the consequences related to the symptom at the behavioral level after treatment, due to the lack of development of this technique for the symptom and the characteristics of the studies reviewed, it cannot be certainty of efficacy on behavioral and neurophysiological consequences.

Síntomas de hipoacusia y exposición al ruido recreativo en jóvenes universitarios, Barranquilla, Colombia / Hearing loss symptoms and leisure noise exposure in university students in Barranquilla, Colombia

RESUMEN Objetivo Investigar la participación de estudiantes universitarios en actividades de ocio productoras de ruido y la relación entre los niveles de exposición semanal al ruido recreativo y síntomas de hipoacusia auto reportados, en la ciudad de Barranquilla, Colombia. Método Se realizó un estudio transversal mediante encuesta virtual, basada en el Cuestionario de Exposición al Ruido, más 11 preguntas de síntomas auditivos, a una muestra aleatoria de 730 sujetos. El nivel de exposición semanal al ruido recreativo se estimó a partir del tiempo dedicado al total de actividades recreativas reportadas por los participantes y su evaluación subjetiva de la intensidad de ruido producida por cada actividad, transformada en niveles de ruido continuo equivalente. La asociación entre la exposición al ruido recreativo y la presencia de síntomas de hipoacusia se analizó mediante la prueba de Chi-cuadrado. Resultados El 93% de los participantes manifestó al menos un síntoma de hipoacusia y la mitad reportó cuatro o más. El síntoma más frecuente de hipoacusia asociada al ruido fue el tinnitus (72%). El 55% tenía una exposición semanal de ruido por encima de 85 dBA y en éstos la prevalencia de síntomas de hipoacusia fue mayor (p < 0.05). Conclusión Se sugiere la presencia de deterioro auditivo en gran parte la población universitaria, asociado con altas dosis de exposición semanal al ruido recreativo. Es necesario fortalecer los programas de promoción de la salud auditiva en la academia, y desde los servicios de salud, la valoración objetiva y periódica de la audición.

ABSTRACT Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the total weekly exposure to leisure noise among university students and to assess its association with self-reported symptoms of hypoacusis. Methods This is a cross-sectional survey. An online questionnaire based on the "Noise Exposure Questionnaire", plus 11 questions regarding hearing loss were sent to 730 randomly selected students. Participants self-reported time spent on different leisure noise activities and their subjective evaluation of the loudness of these activities, converted into equivalent noise levels, were used to estimate weekly noise exposure levels that were compared to occupational noise limits (> 85 dBA = hazardous). Inference statistics was applied to relate hearing symptoms and "likely or having some degree of hearing loss" with hazardous weekly leisure noise exposure levels. Results Ninety-three percent of the participants reported at least one hypoacusis symptom. The most frequent sound-related ear symptom was tinnitus (72%). Fifty-five percent of the individuals presented weekly exposure to noise >85 dBA. Symptoms of hearing loss were more prevalent in those exposed to weekly noise levels >85 dBA. Conclusion This study suggests that there may be hearing loss caused by exposure to high levels of leisure noise in a large part of the study population. Health promotion of hearing conservation should be emphasized at university level. Objective repeated measurement of hearing acuity should be part of integral health services for the youth population.

Los acúfenos de Miguel Ángel y su relación con la toxicología / Miguel Ángel's tinnitus and its relation to toxicology

Resumen El Plomo ha tenido una estrecha relación con el mundo artístico pictórico a través de los pigmentos utilizados por los artistas durante milenios. El íntimo contacto con sustancias químicas potencialmente peligrosas para la salud, casi siempre sin medidas de higiene y seguridad laboral, ha desarrollado en muchos casos, enfermedades laborales en estos artistas, a veces sospechadas y en otros casos, más que confirmadas. En el presente trabajo se analiza la historia de vida laboral de Miguel Angel Buonarroti, de quien se tiene registro suficiente como para establecer un nexo causal con exposición laboral al Plomo.

Abstract Lead has shown a close relationship with the fine arts'world through the pigments used by artists for thousand of years. Close contact with potentially dangerous chemical substances for health, almost always without occupational hygiene and safety measures, has produced, in many cases, occupational illnesses in these artists, sometimes suspected and in other cases, more than confirmed. In the present work, the history of Miguel Angel Buonarroti's working life is analyzed, since there is sufficient record to establish a causal link with occupational exposure to Lead.

Auditory cortex hyperconnectivity before rTMS is correlated with tinnitus improvement.

INTRODUCTION: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been used as a potential treatment for tinnitus; however, its effectiveness is variable and unpredictable. We hypothesized that resting-state functional connectivity before rTMS may be correlated with rTMS treatment effectiveness. METHODS: We applied 1-Hz rTMS to the left primary auditory (A1) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC) of 10 individuals with tinnitus and 10 age-matched controls. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies were performed approximately one week before rTMS. Seed-based connectivity analyses were conducted for each individual, with seed regions as rTMS target areas. RESULTS: Compared to controls, the left superior temporal areas showed significantly increased positive connectivity with the left A1 and negative connectivity with the left DLPFC in the tinnitus group. The left frontoparietal and right cerebellar areas showed significantly increased negative connectivity with the left A1 and positive connectivity with the left DLPFC. Seed-based hyperconnectivity was correlated with tinnitus improvement (pre-rTMS vs. 2-week post-rTMS Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores). Tinnitus improvement was significantly correlated with left A1 hyperconnectivity; however, no correlation was observed with left DLPFC connectivity. Positive rTMS outcomes were associated with significantly increased positive connectivity in bilateral superior temporal areas and significantly increased negative connectivity in bilateral frontal areas. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that oversynchronisation of left A1 connectivity before rTMS of the left A1 and DLPFC is associated with treatment effectiveness.

Auditory hallucinations in cognitive neurology. / Alucinaciones auditivas en neurología cognitiva.

INTRODUCTION: Different types and localisations of neurological lesions can produce tinnitus and verbal or musical hallucinations (VMH). METHOD: These symptoms were screened for in 1,000 outpatients at a cognitive neurology clinic, and epidemiological and neuroimaging data were recorded. RESULTS: Tinnitus was present in 6.9% of the total and VMH in 0.9%. The paracusia group was predominantly female but the difference was not statistically significant. Patients with tinnitus were younger and those with VMH were older than the rest of the sample (mean ages). Hearing loss was more prevalent in the paracusia group (difference was significant in VMH subgroup). There were no intergroup differences in the prevalence of psychotic and obsessive-compulsive disorders, or of leukoaraiosis. Treatment with acetylsalicylic acid was more frequent in the VMH group, whereas other non-opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines were more commonly prescribed to patients with tinnitus. The suspected cause of VMH was dementia with Lewy bodies (n=2, one with vascular disease), Alzheimer disease (n=2, one with vascular disease), isolated cerebrovascular disease (n=3), traumatic brain injury (n=1), and surgical brainstem lesion (n=1). All VMH cases displayed an underlying factor that might prompt this symptom, eg, hearing loss (n=6), a predisposing drug (n=9), and polypharmacy (n=9). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with benzodiazepines and non-opioid analgesics was more frequent in the tinnitus group, whereas the VMH group showed a higher prevalence of hearing loss and treatment with acetylsalicylic acid. The causes of VMH were dementia with Lewy bodies, Alzheimer disease, and focal lesions in the mesencephalon, pons, left temporal lobe, or left claustrum.

The efficacy of individual treatment of subjective tinnitus with cognitive behavioural therapy. / La eficacia del tratamiento individual de los acúfenos subjetivos con terapia cognitiva-conductual.

INTRODUCTION: It has been a long time since subjective tinnitus cases were described for the first time but they still lack a treatment with proven effectiveness. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between 2012 and 2013, 310 patients that suffered from subjective tinnitus were studied. Of these, 267 were included in treatment based on cognitive behavioural therapy. The monitoring period lasted 18 months for most cases, while it lasted 21 months for 11 patients. RESULTS: Considering patients that interrupted their treatment as failures, the percentage of recovery was 95.7%. CONCLUSION: Cognitive behavioural therapy should always be included in the treatment of people suffering from tinnitus.

Aplicación del inventario de discapacidad del tinnitus en usuarios de IPS en Bucaramanga / Application tinnitus hándicap inventory on patients of IPS from Bucaramanga

Las personas que refieren tinnitus describen otros problemas asociados que requieren de aten-ción y de medición para establecer el impacto en la vida diaria. En un porcentaje por encima del 20% de la población mundial refiere sentir zumbidos en los oídos y alrededor de 1 o 2% manifies-ta una alteración significativa. El presente estudio pretende realizar una caracterización de una muestra por conveniencia de usuarios atendidos en una IPS de la ciudad de Bucaramanga me-diante el instrumento Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) en su versión adaptada al español que busca que la persona valore la incapacidad del tinnitus de manera subjetiva desde el componente psicoemocional en cada una de las categorías funcional, emocional y catastrófica. Los resultados indican que el 31% de las personas evaluadas reportan un grado de incapacidad del tinnitus seve-ro y un 26% entre un grado leve y moderado, a pesar de que un 74% reporta deficiencia auditiva, existe variabilidad entre los grados de incapacidad y el nivel de audición (Zeman, Koller, Schec-klmann, Langguth y Landgrebe, 2012). Este estudio promueve la necesidad de continuar con investigaciones acerca del tinnitus en población colombiana que permitan levantar información epidemiológica que demuestre la necesidad de implementar estrategias de intervención por par-te del Fonoaudiólogo Especialista en Audiología dentro del sistema de salud colombiano.

People refer tinnitus describe other associated problems and requires care to set the measuring impact on daily life. A percentage above 20% of the world population refers feel ringing in the ears and about 1 or 2% manifested significant alteration. This study aims to make a characteriza-tion of a convenience sample of users treated in an IPS of Bucaramanga by the Tinnitus Handi-cap Inventory (THI) instrument as adapted to the Spanish version to assess the person's opinion about inability of tinnitus from each of the functional categories catastrophic psycho-emotional component. The results indicate that 31% of those tested reported a degree of disability of severe tinnitus and 26% from mild and moderate, although 74% reported hearing impairment, there is variability between the degree of disability and the hearing level (Zeman, 2012). This study pro-motes the need for continuing research on the tinnitus in Colombian population to allow lifting epidemiological information demonstrating the need to implement intervention strategies by the Speech therapist audiologist within the Colombian health system