OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether transcranial photobiomodulation (PBM) targeting the auditory cortex can ameliorate noise-induced tinnitus-like behavior in mice by reversing synaptic excitation/inhibition (E/I) imbalance.
No actionable change — this is a mouse study with no human clinical data; results are hypothesis-generating only and cannot yet inform clinical practice.
Identifying a non-invasive, light-based intervention that targets the neural mechanisms of tinnitus offers a potential new treatment pathway, though extensive human trials are needed before clinical translation.
- 01Transcranial photobiomodulation (light therapy) targeting the auditory cortex reduced tinnitus-like behavior in noise-exposed mice.
- 02Mechanism proposed: PBM corrects an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory brain signals (synaptic E/I imbalance) in the auditory cortex.
- 03Study is entirely preclinical (animal model); no human subjects involved.
- 04Provides a plausible mechanistic target for future non-invasive tinnitus therapies.
- 05Published in Neuromodulation journal.
Transcranial photobiomodulation targeting the auditory cortex reduces noise-induced tinnitus-like behavior in mice.
studypartially supportedPBM ameliorates tinnitus-like behavior by reversing synaptic excitation/inhibition imbalance in the auditory cortex.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42307512
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.neurom.2026.04.008.
- Journal
- Neuromodulation
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 4
- Population
- Mice with noise-induced tinnitus-like behavior
- Intervention
- Transcranial photobiomodulation (PBM) targeting the auditory cortex
- Comparator
- Sham or untreated noise-exposed control mice
Primary outcomes
Tinnitus-like behavioral measures; Synaptic excitation/inhibition balance in auditory cortex