Changed excitation-inhibition balance and dynamic functional connectivity provide evidence for sensory deprivation theory in presbycusis

Motivation: To learn more about neurophysiological changes in the cognitive-ear link in presbycusis. Goal(s): To explore the role of excitation-inhibition (EI) balance and dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) in mediating the associations between hearing loss and cognitive impairment in presbycusis patients. Approach: MRS in the auditory cortex and resting-state fMRI of whole brain in 98 presbycusis patients and 60 healthy controls were assessed. Results: EI balance and dFC indices were statistically different between presbycusis patients and healthy controls. Hearing loss can affect cognition via a bottom-up route from ear to cognitive in a neurochemical and dFC way in presbycusis. Impact: Shifted EI balance and dFC abnormalities play important roles in cognitive-ear link reorganization and provide evidence for sensory deprivation theory, and they can serve as a potential neuroimaging marker for predicting cognitive impairment in presbycusis patients.