An ALE-meta analysis of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in tinnitus patients

HE Yifan; WANG Aijie; HUANG Ranran; LI Yunxin; LÜ Minghui; ZHANG Guowei

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-2922.2026.02.005

Abstract：Objective To identify consistent abnormal brain activity regions in tinnitus patients by resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI),and to elucidate neural mechanisms of brain injury and functional remodeling.Methods The literature on local consistency regional honogeneity(ReHo)and low-frequency amplitude(ALFF),fractional low-frequency amplitude(fALFF)indexes used to assess brain function changes in tinnitus patients published up to January 3,2024,was searched.After screening with the inclusion and exclusion criteria,the activation likelihood estimation method was used to extract information on the brain regions with abnormal spontaneous neural activity in tinnitus patients in selected studies.Results A total of 29 studies from 22 reports(746 cases of tinnitus and 653 cases of control)were included.Meta-analysis of ReHo,ALFF and fALFF data showed increased activity in the right middle temporal gyrus(MTG.R)in tinnitus patients compared with healthy controls,and no brain regions of decreased activities.Analysis of ReHo data element alone revealed increased activity in the left middle occipital gyrus(MOG.L)and left posterior cingulate(PCC.L),and decreased activities in the dorsolateral right superior frontal gyrus(SFGdor.R),left cerebellar anterior lobe(CAL.L).ALFF/fALFF data element analysis alone revealed no brain regions showing increased or decreased activities when compared to healthy controls.Conclusions ALE-Meta analysis confirms abnormal spontaneous activities involving multiple brain regions in patients with tinnitus,which may be helpful to understanding the neuropathological basis of functional brain injury and remodeling in tinnitus.