Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies for Tinnitus Based on Inflammatory and Neuroimmune Mechanisms

Xinyi Geng

doi:10.54254/2753-8818/2025.LD26039

Theoretical and Natural ScienceOpen access

Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies for Tinnitus Based on Inflammatory and Neuroimmune Mechanisms

Research Article

Open Access

Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies for Tinnitus Based on Inflammatory and Neuroimmune Mechanisms

Xinyi Geng ^1*

¹ Commonwealth School

^*Corresponding author: Angelgeng1019@gmail.com

Published on 13 August 2025

TNS Vol.122

ISSN (Print): 2753-8826

ISSN (Online): 2753-8818

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-269-0

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-270-6

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Abstract

Tinnitus, the perception of phantom sound in the absence of an external stimulus, is increasingly understood to arise from a complex interplay of inflammatory and neuroimmune processes as well as maladaptive neural plasticity. In the periphery, cochlear insult, whether due to age‐related hearing loss, acoustic trauma, ototoxic drugs, or chronic noise exposure, triggers the release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. These mediators can disrupt tight junctions in the blood–brain barrier, permitting peripheral immune factors to infiltrate central auditory pathways. Within the CNS, activated microglia adopt an M1‐proinflammatory phenotype, releasing additional cytokines and reactive oxygen species, while astrocytes lose their homeostatic regulation of glutamate and calcium signaling, further promoting hyperexcitability. These glial changes drive synaptic remodeling and neuronal hyperactivity in key auditory nuclei, consolidating tinnitus percepts through aberrant cortical reorganization. Therapeutic efforts have therefore focused on attenuating inflammation with localized interventions, such as intrathecal corticosteroid injections, and systemic agents like minocycline or anti-TNF biologics. Concurrently, neuromodulation strategies (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct‐current stimulation, and vagus nerve stimulation) aim to recalibrate cortical excitability and foster adaptive plasticity. Together, these approaches represent a multi‐faceted framework for targeting both the immunological and electrophysiological underpinnings of tinnitus.

Keywords:

tinnitus, neuroinflammation, glial activation, neuromodulation

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References

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References

[1]. Shore, S. E., Roberts, L. E., & Langguth, B. (2016). Maladaptive plasticity in tinnitus--triggers, mechanisms and treatment. Nature reviews. Neurology, 12(3), 150–160.

[3]. Perin, P., & Pizzala, R. (2024). Astrocytes and Tinnitus. Brain sciences, 14(12), 1213.

[4]. Mennink, L. M., Aalbers, M. W., van Dijk, P., & van Dijk, J. M. C. (2022). The Role of Inflammation in Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of clinical medicine, 11(4), 1000.

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[11]. Hays S. A. (2016). Enhancing Rehabilitative Therapies with Vagus Nerve Stimulation. Neurotherapeutics: the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics, 13(2), 382–394.

Cite this article

Geng,X. (2025). Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies for Tinnitus Based on Inflammatory and Neuroimmune Mechanisms. Theoretical and Natural Science,122,60-65.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICBioMed 2025 Symposium: Computational Modelling and Simulation for Biology and Medicine

ISBN: 978-1-80590-269-0(Print) / 978-1-80590-270-6(Online)

Editor: Alan Wang, Roman Bauer

Conference website: https://2025.icbiomed.org/london.html

Conference date: 19 September 2025

Series: Theoretical and Natural Science

Volume number: Vol.122

ISSN: 2753-8818(Print) / 2753-8826(Online)

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