TITLE:
Progress in Neuroinflammation Mechanisms and Targeted Therapy of Tinnitus
AUTHORS:
Guoli Hu, Yewen Huang, Jiahui Wu, Jin Liu
KEYWORDS:
Tinnitus, Neuroinflammation, Neural Remodeling, Signaling Pathway, Anti-Inflammatory Therapy
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.6,
June
25,
2026
ABSTRACT: Tinnitus is a common auditory perception disorder, and its pathological mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In recent years, neuroinflammation has garnered widespread attention as a new direction in the study of central mechanisms of tinnitus. This review systematically summarizes the roles of microglia and astrocytes, the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling axis, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and crosstalk between oxidative stress and inflammation in tinnitus. We highlight how neuroinflammation drives auditory central plasticity and remodeling, and discuss recent advances in anti-neuroinflammatory clinical interventions. Studies have shown that neuroinflammation plays a key role in the initiation and maintenance of tinnitus by affecting the neural plasticity of the auditory pathway and limbic system. Targeting neuroinflammation may provide new strategies for tinnitus treatment.