Neuronal plasticity is thought to be the source of several chronic neurological conditions, including tinnitus. Using a rodent model for noise-induced tinnitus, this study finds that reversing neural plasticity induced by the tinnitus can correct perceptual impairments caused by the ailment. Pairing tones with stimulation of the vagus nerve sharpened auditory neuron tuning and eliminated the physiological as well as behavioural correlates of the tinnitus. This proof of principle suggests that simply restoring normal neural activity to circuits that have been pathologically modified could provide a benefit in those ailments involving aberrant neural plasticity.
- Navzer D. Engineer
- Jonathan R. Riley
- Michael P. Kilgard
