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The latest from Dr. Rauschecker - Sleep and Serotonin Impact on Tinnitus

Watch Dr. Rauschecker's TEDTalk – Tinnitus: Ringing in the Brain

People with tinnitus hear a ringing even when there is no sound. The prevailing theory blames a malfunctioning auditory system. However, it seems that abnormalities in the brain's limbic regions, which determine the emotional impact of sensations are important and how they are experienced, may also be involved. 

Josef Rauschecker, PhD, DSc, and his colleagues at Georgetown University used functional magnetic resonance imaging to scan the brains of 22 volunteers, half of whom had tinnitus, while they listened to various sounds. Patients with tinnitus showed heightened activity in the nucleus accumbens — a key limbic region — when presented with sounds that matched the frequency of the 'ringing' in their ears. They also had anatomical differences in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, another limbic area.

The research suggests that an abnormal limbic system elevates the perceived importance of the tinnitus sound or fails to suppress it, and that interactions between the auditory and limbic systems may be at the root of this disorder, but we need your help to take this research to the next phase!

We are grateful for all of your continued support for Dr. Rauschecker's work. Gifts allow Dr. Rauschecker to purchase lab supplies and fund further studies. 

*100% of funds raised will go directly to Dr. Rauschecker's research*

Questions? Contact:

Rachel LaVigne, Assistant Director of Development

202-687-8463 | rl947@georgetown.edu

Donations can also be mailed to:
Attn: Rachel LaVigne
Georgetown University

 Office of Advancement

3300 Whitehaven St NW Ste 4000

Washington, DC 20007