Nicotinic Receptor Pathology in Tinnitus: Auditory Cortex and Selective Desensitizing Nicotinic Agents
Abstract
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of an environmental stimulus. This phantom sound in the head, is most commonly caused by noise exposure, resulting in damage to the inner ear. Within the veteran population seeking VA care, 16-27% suffer from serious hearing loss and tinnitus. Unfortunately, those most affected are bound to the sounds in their heads have difficulty concentrating, suffer from depression and may even contemplate suicide. We posit that breaking the bond between attention and tinnitus will ameliorate the impact of tinnitus. Drugs acting at receptors that bind the brain chemical acetylcholine (nAChRs), a substance involved in brain circuits that control attention could ameliorate tinnitus. We have successfully tested the drug (sazetidine-A), in an established sound-exposure animal model of tinnitus. First year studies focused on understating the role of the nAChRs and in attentional brain circuits. These 1st year studies obtained data on two questions: 1) How are selective drugs that act at nAChRs involved in circuits that control attention? 2) What tinnitus-related changes occur in the pharmacology and function of nAChRs in the attentional circuits of primary auditory cortex (AI)?
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1114579
Entities
People
- Donald M Caspary
Organizations
- Southern Illinois University School of Medicine