Tinnitus is associated with increased extracellular matrix density in the auditory cortex of Mongolian gerbils.

Most scientists agree that subjective tinnitus is the pathological result of an interaction of damage to the peripheral auditory system and central neuroplastic adaptations. Here we investigate such tinnitus related adaptations in the primary auditory cortex (AC) 7 and 13 days after noise trauma induction of tinnitus by quantifying the density of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the AC of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). The ECM density has been shown to be relevant for neuroplastic processes and synaptic stability within the cortex.