Reorganization of auditory cortex in tinnitus

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.95.17.10340
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:35:50Z
• Authors: Werner Mühlnickel; Thomas Elbert; Edward Taub; Herta Flor
• Keywords: Tonotopy; Magnetoencephalography

Magnetic source imaging was used to determine whether tonotopy in auditory cortex of individuals with tinnitus diverges from normative functional organization. Ten subjects and 15 healthy controls were exposed four sets tones while magnetoencephalographic recordings obtained the two cortical hemispheres sequence. A marked shift representation frequency into an area adjacent expected tonotopic location observed. The Euclidean distance trajectory map 5.3 mm (SD = 3.1) compared a 2.5 1.3) corresponding ( t 3.13, P < 0.01). In addition, strong positive correlation found between subjective strength amount reorganization r 0.82, These results demonstrate that is related plastic alterations cortex. Similarities these data previous demonstrations phantom limb pain highly correlated suggest may be phenomenon.