Preparing an fMRI study to unravel the mechanisms of somatosensory tinnitus: How to alter cervical somatosensory afference in an MRI compatible way?

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is the phantom sensation of sound in the absence of an internal or external source for the sound. It occurs in 10-15% of adults. In some cases changes in somatosensory input from the cervical spine are causing or changing the tinnitus, in which case it is called cervicogenic somatic tinnitus (CST). We currently know that physical therapy treatment of the cervical spine dysfunction can decrease the tinnitus sensation, but we don't know why some patients with tinnitus experience an increase in their tinnitus when they are having an episode of neck pain and others don't. Therefore, we are working towards a large fMFI study, investigating brain activity during involuntary changes in somatosensory input using vibration, in patients with CST, patients with other types of tinnitus and patients with neck pain without tinnitus. In order to be able to succesfully apply for funding for this larger study, we first need to investigate which vibration frequency and location is best suited for altering cervical somatosensory input. The aim of this project is therefore: To investigate which vibration location and frequency causes the largest disturbance in cervical somatosensory input. This knowledge will increase our chances to successfully obtain funding for the larger study.

Keywords:TINNITUS, FMRI, POSTURAL CONTROL

Disciplines:Biomechanics, Neurophysiology, Otology