In late 2016 , more than two dozen US diplomats and their family members base in Havana , Cubareportedconcussion - like symptoms resembling traumatic brain trauma after pick up a meretricious , gamy - frequency sound , yet none of them had received famous trauma to the question .
giddiness , pinna pain , tinnitus , and a wizard of air pressure moving through their head and abdomen were among the symptoms just explained by Cuban assurance as hearing the audio of cricket peep and theramifications of stress . However , previous studiesfound brain abnormality in change to their white matter piece of land , the part of the nous creditworthy for transmitting bioelectrochemical information throughout the brain and central nervous system . For the first time , a team of researchers has now convey comprehensive history and physical examinations to trace these neurosensory symptoms in an effort to understand what happened and to prevent it from happening again .
The retrospective review analyzed clinical data from all 25 people who cover the cryptic randomness and symptom , as well as 10 of their housemates who did not experience such sensations , including a standard band of health story questions , tests for visual and auditory reaction times , as well as physical , neurological , and eye examinations between four and 60 twenty-four hours after “ exposure ” . Additionally , all patient were treated for balance , cognitive , and aroused symptoms .
“ This story is incredibly significant because it represents the findings from patient evaluations that were carry on shortly after exposure , and an analysis of the data point confirm that they had a unique set of symptoms that we have not interpret before , " said written report author Carey Balaban in astatement .
Every person who report symptoms was found to have an privileged capitulum abnormality and show evidence of cognitive dysfunction .
" Objective examination showed evidence of a balance disfunction that touch on the internal ear and a unique pattern of cognitive disfunction , " said lead author Michael E. Hoffer . " This cluster of auditive , vestibular , and neurological symptoms , along with associated psychological issue , does not resemble more classic traumatic brain hurt ( TBI ) , based on our team ’s vast experience in this area . "
The field of study did not determine the cause of the symptoms , but rather take an rating of them . To help explain what caused them , the researcher noted that ultrasonic exposure can bring forth “ a syndrome involving manifestations of a headache , tinnitus , painful sensation , vertigo , and fatigue , ” continue that the “ picture responsible for these findings is unknown . ”
“ It would be imprudent to exclude any likely point or non - directed energy sources at this clock time , ” they added . The study is write in the journalLaryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology .
Other Americans receive similar symptoms after having inspect Cuba in the month keep abreast the " attacks " , withexplanationsranging from sonic artillery to mental capacity - exchange psychosomatic status associated with mass frenzy .
