The articles from most of the science reporters (Scientific American, New Scientist, MedicalXpress) have gotten the Blundon et al. paper incorrect in several ways, so it's better to go to the primary article (and even the perspective written in the same Science issue) for a better understanding. But the theory behind using an adenosine blockers plus sound therapy is very similar to that published by Mike Kilgard of UT Dallas using vagus nerve stimulation plus sound therapy. Vagus nerve stimulation releases acetylcholine in the auditory cortex. Blundon et al (2011, 2013 and now 2017) have shown that acetylcholine reduces adenosine signaling which enables neuroplasticity in the adult brain (juvenile brains have much less adenosine so their brains are much more plastic naturally). By combining an adenosine blocker (very specific to the A1 receptor) with sound training as is done with vagus nerve stimulation (supply a wide range of sound frequencies EXCLUDING the tinnitus frequency), it is thought that the area of the brain receiving the hyperactive signalling with be re-tuned with neural pathways that are not hyperactive. At least that's the idea. Taking a pill along with the sound training is certainly a much less invasive procedure than VNS. But the new study has only been done in mice. Whether it will work in humans remains to be seen... much less the fact that all kinds of side effects have to be monitored in human clinical trials first.

JAB

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