Publication
The cerebellar (para)flocculus: A review on its auditory function and a possible role in tinnitus
Mennink, L. M., van Dijk, J. M. C. & van Dijk, P., Dec-2020, In : Hearing Research. 398, p. 108081 12 p., 108081.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › Academic › peer-review

The cerebellum is historically considered to be involved in motor control and motor learning. However, it is also a site of multimodal sensory and sensory-motor integration, implicated in auditory processing. The flocculus and paraflocculus are small lobes of the cerebellum, in humans located in the cerebellopontine angle. The last two decades, both structures have been a subject of interest in hearing loss and tinnitus research. The current review summarizes insights on the auditory function of the (para)flocculus and its contribution to hearing loss and tinnitus. This leads to the hypothesis of a feedback loop between the paraflocculus and the auditory cortex. Disruption of this loop may be instrumental in both maintaining tinnitus and reducing tinnitus. Although the research mostly has been performed in animals, the implications in humans are also discussed. If the (para)flocculus indeed comprises an auditory function and is part of a tinnitus-mechanism, this would potentially open up new treatment options that involve direct intervention at the (para)flocculus.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 108081 |
Pages (from-to) | 108081 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Hearing Research |
Volume | 398 |
Early online date | 23-Sep-2020 |
Publication status | Published - Dec-2020 |
- Tinnitus, Auditory function, Flocculus, Paraflocculus, Tonsil, Cerebellum, NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY, RESONANCE-IMAGING MEMRI, UNIPOLAR BRUSH CELLS, VENTRAL PARAFLOCCULUS, COCHLEAR NUCLEUS, HORSERADISH-PEROXIDASE, NATIONAL-HEALTH, DENTATE NUCLEUS, NEURAL ACTIVITY, ANIMAL-MODELS
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