Objective diagnosis of tinnitus using neuroimaging: a case-control study

01/07/2024 to 30/06/2027

The project aims to address a critical gap in current healthcare by developing reliable and objective diagnostic methods for tinnitus, ultimately leading to optimized treatment strategies and improved patient outcomes.

Our recent researches have laid the foundation for a transformative approach to tinnitus diagnosis and quantification. By leveraging electrophysiological measures, we have identified distinct biomarkers associated with constant tinnitus and have uncovered rare genetic variants linked to severe tinnitus, independent of hearing loss. Building upon these findings, we have developed a novel sound-evoked sensory gating paradigm that holds tremendous potential for precise and objective tinnitus assessment.

The proposed project seeks to validate and refine this innovative diagnostic method through a case-control transnational study involving 120 subjects. Utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques such as magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG), we aim to demonstrate the clinical utility and feasibility of our approach in routine practice. By providing clinicians with a reliable tool for baseline diagnosis, treatment allocation, and outcome evaluation, this multidisciplinary endeavor promises to revolutionize the management of tinnitus patients worldwide.