|
|
It has been proposed that tinnitus is associated with an irregular activation of the temporoparital cortex. If this activity is a functionally relevant component of the tinnitus-related network, a virtual temporary lesion of this area shoul d result in transient reduction of tinnitus. To test this hypothesis, we applied 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to eight scalp and four control positions in 14 patients with chronic tinnitus. Stimulation of left temporoparietal corte x significantly reduced tinnitus (Friedman analysis of variance, p < 0.05; compared with control), indicating that secondary auditory areas can be critical for tinnitus perception, perhaps as a consequence of maladaptive cortical reorganization. |
|