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- Title
Levodopa does not enhance the effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in tinnitus treatment
- Authors
Kleinjung, Tobias; Steffens, Thomas; Landgrebe, Michael; Vielsmeier, Veronika; Frank, Elmar; Hajak, Göran; Strutz, Juergen; Langguth, Berthold
- Abstract
Objective: Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown promise for the treatment of tinnitus. Experimental data from motor cortex stimulation in healthy subjects indicate that the suppressing effect of low-frequency rTMS can be enhanced by dopaminergic receptor activation. Here we investigated whether administration of the dopamine precursor levodopa before low-frequency rTMS enhances its efficacy in tinnitus treatment. Study Design: Sixteen patients with chronic tinnitus received 100 mg of levodopa before each session of low-frequency rTMS. Results were compared with a matched control group of 16 patients who received the same treatment, but without levodopa. Treatment outcome was assessed with a standardized tinnitus questionnaire. Results: Both stimulation protocols resulted in a significant reduction of tinnitus scores after 10 days of stimulation; however, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Our data suggest that 100 mg of levodopa does not enhance the effect of rTMS in the treatment of tinnitus.
- Subjects
TINNITUS treatment; DOPA; TRANSCRANIAL magnetic stimulation; MOTOR cortex; DOPAMINERGIC mechanisms; CONTROL groups
- Publication
Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, 2009, Vol 140, Issue 1, p92
- ISSN
0194-5998
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1016/j.otohns.2008.10.007