Decreased auditory GABAÂ + concentrations in presbycusis demonstrated by edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy

GABA + concentrations were significantly lower in the presbycusis group compared to the control group (left auditory regions: p = 0.002, right auditory regions: p = 0.008). Significant negative correlations were observed between PTA and GABA + concentrations in the presbycusis group (r = − 0.57, p = 0.02), while a similar trend was found in the control group (r = − 0.40, p = 0.08). These results are consistent with a hypothesis of dysfunctional GABAergic neurotransmission in the central auditory system in presbycusis and suggest a potential treatment target for presbycusis.