University of Michigan
Novel mechanisms of cortical neuromodulation
Although there is currently no cure for tinnitus, recent experimental studies propose vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) may be a potential treatment to mitigate the condition because VNS releases natural chemicals (neuromodulators) that increase the brain’s ability to change. This is interesting because VNS has previously received Food and Drug Administration approval for treating drug-resistant epilepsy and treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Despite considerable interest, how neuromodulators released by VNS could be therapeutically useful for tinnitus is unknown. This project will employ cutting-edge techniques to test a novel hypothesis: A major mechanism of action for neuromodulators is that they affect the function of dendrites, the long cable-like structures upon which neurons receive and integrate electrical signals. By identifying how neuromodulators impact the function of dendrites, these experiments may uncover novel targets for developing new treatments for tinnitus.