Objective: To study the influence of the audio-visual block (AB) on the brain glucose metabolism of idiopathic tinnitus patients.
Methods: The brain positron emission tomography (PET) test was performed on one chronic idiopathic tinnitus patient under audio-visual block and non-block (NB) conditions respectively. The visual analysis and statistical parameter mapping (SPM) analysis were both used to detect the brain glucose metabolism difference under AB and NB conditions.
Results: Under NB conditions, significant hyperactivity was detected at auditory and visual cortex on both sides of the brain. However, this phenomenon was not shown under AB conditions. Instead, a hyperactivity of brain was presented in the left Wernicke's area.
Conclusions: The generation of chronic idiopathic tinnitus probably has no relationship with the auditory cortex abnormity. Wernicke's area might be involved in the central perception of tinnitus.