Objectives: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the differences of putamen-related connections in brain connectivity of subjects with subjective chronic tinnitus compared to the healthy control group. Methods: In the study, brain MR imaging of 47 patients with bilateral tinnitus complaints for two years or more and 42 healthy individuals was performed. The tensor information obtained using the diffusion tensor imaging sequence data obtained from both groups was processed in the DSI Studio program. Brain connectivity maps were obtained from the obtained data. Quantitative information of the individual connectogram maps of each case were recorded and the groups were compared. Results: In the tinnitus group, unlike the healthy group, it was determined that there was an increase in the pathways made by the putamen with the vermis. In addition, it was determined that the connections of the putamen with the cingulate and occipital areas increased, and the microstructural connectivity between the cerebellum and its units other than the cerebellum decreased. Conclusion: It has been stated in the studies that the putamen may be related to psychiatric diseases and sensorimotor anomalies. It suggests that in cases with chronic tinnitus complaints, putamen connectivity changes may lead to psychiatric disorders or sensorimotor anomalies. However, in cases with Chronic Bilateral Tinnitus, the exact change in connectivity in the brain is not known. With the development of imaging and image processing technology, it will be important to understand the etiopathogenesis of tinnitus that studies investigating brain connectivity focus more on the subject. Key Words: Tinnitus, DTI, Brain Connectivity, Putamen
Corresponding Author: Fatma Pinar Elpen Karyemez