Tinnitus is a constant buzz in the ear or in the head, often resulting from a compensation to reduced auditory input (i.e. hearing loss). While it is common in the population, nearly 2% suffer from it to a debilitating degree and what makes it severe is currently not well understood. However, this knowledge is important for developing treatments targeting tinnitus in the group of people who seek help.
We have recently shown that severe tinnitus is more likely prone to genetics than any other subtype, which emphasizes the need to conduct genetic, epidemiology, neuroimaging and biomarker studies in this group. We have also conducted a large case/control protein screen on plasma samples and identified 5 biomarkers associated with constant tinnitus. Our aim is to combine the four into a multi-omic approach that will lead to a better understanding of how genes i) relate to brain alterations leading to severe tinnitus, ii) interact with environmental factors to increase severity, and iii) impact the blood proteome to increase severity.
In order to better map the mechanisms associated with severe tinnitus, we will also investigate other disorders highly associated with tinnitus (e.g. hearing loss, depression, anxiety, pain) and dissociate tinnitus from these comorbidities. Parkinson’s, which is unrelated to tinnitus, will serve as a negative reference group. We will use established methods to search for genetic variations associated with severe tinnitus, and then test whether these genetic factors are associated with specific changes in brain structure and function, environmental factors, and blood biomarkers. The project duration is 3 years, and is based on already acquired data.
Thus far, a multi-omic approach to severe tinnitus is lacking and will provide a significant advance in knowledge for a rare condition for which optimized treatment options are needed. Only a large biobank such as the UK Biobank may help provide insights into the mechanisms of severe tinnitus. The findings from this study will provide a basis for pre-clinical research to increase fundamental knowledge of this disorder, and it will improve patient stratification (subtyping) based on genetic and neural markers which could be used for personalized medicine, i.e. to direct an individual patient toward the most appropriate treatment for them.