Michael Alford matched $20
Barry Michael Haynes matched $50ben olah matched $200Brian Gendreau matched $1,000Support Dr. Rauschecker's Tinnitus Research
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
Hello all,
Dr. Rauschecer and Dr. Lars Rogenmoser (Visiting Research Scholar) are wrapping up the project this month or next month. They have 39 participants enrolled, of which are 24 tinnitus patients and 15 are control participants. 21 (14 tinnitus patients / 7 control participants) have already underwent the entire study protocol. We are conducting additional testing in an animal model. We hope to reach $10,000 to finish out this project. Let me know if you have any questions. Fiona Zhu at Fiona.Zhu@georgetown.edu or 202-687-3709.
Thank you for your support!
1546 days ago by Fiona ZhuDear all,
Thank you for your continued support of Dr. Rauschecker's work. He would like to share the following updates with you.
"In our ongoing studies, which are conducted by Dr. Lars Rogenmoser (Visiting Research Scholar), we are pioneering a new diagnostic tool for tinnitus detection based on eye blink behavior in combination with tones varying in frequency and loudness. Until now, 18 tinnitus patients are enrolled, of which 7 have completed testing, including audiological testing and tinnitus matching.
In parallel, we are testing a similar experimental paradigm in animal studies (nonhuman primates) that is intended to lead to new treatment techniques.
We are also exploring the connection between tinnitus and sleep.
Dr. Rauschecker is presenting a lecture about his tinnitus research at the International Tinnitus Research Initiative (TRI) conference in Taipei, Taiwan on May 18, 2019. He has also been asked to speak at an invited symposium on tinnitus sponsored by the Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO) in San Jose, California in February 2020."
1674 days ago by Fiona ZhuDear friend,
Thank you for your continued support of Dr. Rauschecker's work. We wanted to share the link to Dr. Rauschecker's podcast episode with Tinnitus Talk with you.
The interview covers a wide range of topics, from Dr. Rauschecker’s own experience as a tinnitus patient to his theories on how tinnitus manifests in the brain. He hypothesizes on links with other brain disorders like depression, and the role of stress in triggering tinnitus. Dr. Rauschecker is hopeful about the prospect for a cure, but also talks about the obstacles to overcome, specifically the dire lack of funding for tinnitus research. He also discussed the role that patient communities can play in resolving this.
We hope you will enjoy the podcast and leave your feedback on the discussion forum on Tinnitus Talk, please click here.
"We are grateful for every dollar that goes to tinnitus research. More support is needed to combat this devastating disorder which is pervasive and destroys lives." - Dr. Josef Rauschecker
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. You can reach me at Fiona.Zhu@georgetown.edu or 202-687-3709.
Thank you again for your generosity!
Sincerely,
Fiona Zhu
1772 days ago by Fiona ZhuDonors
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