Tinnitus is associated with increased extracellular matrix density in
the auditory cortex
Abstract
Most scientist agree that subjective tinnitus is the pathological result
of an interaction of damage to the peripheral auditory system and
central neuroplastic adaptations. Here we investigate such tinnitus
related adaptations in the primary auditory cortex (AC) 13 days after
noise trauma induction of tinnitus by quantifying the density of the
extracellular matrix (ECM) in the AC of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones
unguiculatus). The ECM density has been shown to be relevant for
neuroplastic processes and synaptic stability within the cortex. We
utilized a mild monaural acoustic noise trauma in 9 gerbils to induce
tinnitus and a sham exposure in 3 control animals. Tinnitus was assessed
by a behavioral response paradigm. Four of the trauma animals did show
tinnitus 13 days after trauma (T), the remaining 5 trauma (NT) and the 3
control animals (C) did not show the percept. The ECM density 13 days
after trauma was quantified using immunofluorescence luminance of
Wisteria floribunda lectin-fluoresceine-5-isothiocyanate (WFA-FITC) on
histological slices of the primary AC, relative to the non-auditory
brainstem as a reference area. We found that the WFA-FITC luminance of
the AC of NT animals was not significantly different from that of C
animals. However, we found a significant increase of luminance in T
animals’ ACs compared to NT or C animals’ cortices. This effect was
found exclusively on the AC side contralateral to the trauma ear. These
results point to a process of stabilization of synaptic connections in
primary AC, which may be involved in the chronic manifestation of
tinnitus.