J Korean Soc Radiol.  2016 Dec;75(6):434-445. 10.3348/jksr.2016.75.6.434.

Change in Functional Connectivity in Tinnitus and its Relation with Tinnitus Laterality

• Song EJ
• Ryu CW
• Jahng GH
• Park MS
• Byun JY
• Park S
• Kim EJ
• Choi WS

• KMID: 2360430
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2016.75.6.434

Abstract

PURPOSE
To identify potential differences in resting-state networks according to laterality of tinnitus using resting-state functional MRI (fMRI).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 83 age-matched subjects consisting of 19 patients with right-sided tinnitus (Rt-T), 22 patients with left-sided tinnitus (Lt-T), 22 patients with bilateral tinnitus (Bil-T), and 20 healthy controls underwent resting-state blood oxygenation-level dependent fMRI scans. Independent component analysis was used to obtain the functional connectivities in the auditory network (AN) and the default mode network (DMN), which were compared between each group using the voxel-wise one-way ANOVA. In addition, lateralization of the auditory cortex was assessed within each group using a region of interest (ROI).
RESULTS
Comparisons between tinnitus groups showed unusual clusters with different functional connectivities in the AN and the DMN. The Rt-T group had large clusters with higher functional connectivity in the right middle temporal gyrus and temporopolar area compared with the Lt-/Bil-T and control groups. ROI analysis showed that the Rt-/Lt-T groups had dominant functional connectivity in the right auditory cortex and the Bil-T and control groups had left-dominant auditory connectivity.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that chronic tinnitus is related to aberrant laterality of the auditory cortex. These findings help clarify the neural mechanism of tinnitus and specify the targets for localization of treatment.

MeSH Terms

Auditory Cortex
Functional Laterality
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Temporal Lobe
Tinnitus*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Bar graph comparing functional connectivity between tinnitus groups. A. Bar graph comparing connectivity of auditory cortices in the auditory network according to laterality of tinnitus. Connectivity of rAC in the monolateral tinnitus groups is significantly higher than that in the normal control and bilateral tinnitus groups. Connectivity of lAC is higher in the normal control and Bil-T groups than in the monolateral tinnitus groups. B. Bar graph showing asymmetric dominance of AN in each group. The two monolateral tinnitus groups show right dominance in FC of the AN, while the bilateral tinnitus and control groups show left dominance. C. Bar graph comparing the connectivity of major clusters in the default mode network according to laterality of tinnitus. The Rt-T group shows significantly different FCs in the PCC and mPFC compared with the other three groups. All three tinnitus groups have higher connectivity in rIPC than the normal controls. AN = auditory network, Bil-T = bilateral tinnitus, CN_R_L_B = control, right tinnitus, left tinnitus, bilateral tinnitus, FC = functional connectivity, lAC = left superior temporal gyrus and insula, lIPC = left inferior parietal cortex, Lt-T = left-sided tinnitus, mPFC = medial prefrontal/anterior cingulate cortices, PCC = posterior cingulate/precuneus cortices, rAC = right superior temporal gyrus and insula, rIPC = right inferior parietal cortex, Rt-T = right-sided tinnitus

• 

  Fig. 2 Between-group functional connectivity comparison in the AN. A. Comparison of the Rt-T group vs. control group. Clusters in red signify higher FC in the Rt-T group than in the control group. B. Comparison of the Rt-T group vs. the Lt-T group. Clusters in red signify higher FC in the Rt-T group than in the Lt-T group. C. Comparison of the Rt-T group vs. the Bil-T group. Clusters in red signify higher FC in the Rt-T group than in the Bil-T group, and clusters in blue signify higher FC in the Bil-T group than in the Rt-T group. AN = auditory network, Bil-T = bilateral tinnitus, FC = functional connectivity, Lt-T = left-sided tinnitus, Rt-T = right-sided tinnitus

• 

  Fig. 3 Between-group functional connectivity comparison in the DMN. A. Comparison of the Rt-T group vs. control group. Clusters in red signify higher FC in the Rt-T group than in the control group. B. Comparison of the Rt-T group vs. Lt-T group. Clusters in blue signify higher FC in the Lt-T group than in the Rt-T group. C. Comparison of the Rt-T group vs. the Bil-T group. Clusters in red signify higher FC in the Rt-T group than in the Bil-T group. Bil-T = bilateral tinnitus, DMN = default mode network, FC = functional connectivity, Lt-T = left-sided tinnitus, Rt-T = right-sided tinnitus

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