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Molero-Chamizo A, Nitsche MA, Bolz A, Andújar Barroso RT, Alameda Bailén JR, García Palomeque JC, Rivera-Urbina GN. Non-Invasive Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia Symptoms: A Study Protocol. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12010095. [PMID: 35053839 PMCID: PMC8774206 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12010095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Stimulation of the vagus nerve, a parasympathetic nerve that controls the neuro-digestive, vascular, and immune systems, induces pain relief, particularly in clinical conditions such as headache and rheumatoid arthritis. Transmission through vagal afferents towards the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST), the central relay nucleus of the vagus nerve, has been proposed as the main physiological mechanism that reduces pain intensity after vagal stimulation. Chronic pain symptoms of fibromyalgia patients might benefit from stimulation of the vagus nerve via normalization of altered autonomic and immune systems causing their respective symptoms. However, multi-session non-invasive vagal stimulation effects on fibromyalgia have not been evaluated in randomized clinical trials. We propose a parallel group, sham-controlled, randomized study to modulate the sympathetic–vagal balance and pain intensity in fibromyalgia patients by application of non-invasive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) over the vagal auricular and cervical branches. We will recruit 136 fibromyalgia patients with chronic moderate to high pain intensity. The primary outcome measure will be pain intensity, and secondary measures will be fatigue, health-related quality of life, sleep disorders, and depression. Heart rate variability and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels will be obtained as secondary physiological measures. We hypothesize that multiple tVNS sessions (five per week, for 4 weeks) will reduce pain intensity and improve quality of life as a result of normalization of the vagal control of nociception and immune–autonomic functions. Since both vagal branches project to the NST, we do not predict significantly different results between the two stimulation protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Molero-Chamizo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain; (R.T.A.B.); (J.R.A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-959218478
| | - Michael A. Nitsche
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, 44139 Dortmund, Germany;
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Hospital Bergmannsheil, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Armin Bolz
- tVNS Technologies GmbH, Ebrardstr. 31, 91052 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Rafael Tomás Andújar Barroso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain; (R.T.A.B.); (J.R.A.B.)
| | - José R. Alameda Bailén
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain; (R.T.A.B.); (J.R.A.B.)
| | - Jesús Carlos García Palomeque
- Department of the Histology, School of Medicine, Cadiz University and District Jerez Costa-N., Andalusian Health Service, 11003 Cádiz, Spain;
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Veiz E, Kieslich SK, Czesnik D, Herrmann-Lingen C, Meyer T, Staab J. Increased Concentrations of Circulating Interleukins following Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Results from a Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Crossover Study in Healthy Subjects. Neuroimmunomodulation 2022; 29:450-459. [PMID: 35576915 DOI: 10.1159/000524646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The vagus nerve constitutes the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system and plays an important role in the regulation of neuro-immune responses. Invasive stimulation of the vagus nerve produces anti-inflammatory effects; however, data on humoral immune responses of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) are rare. Therefore, the present study investigated changes in serum cytokine concentrations of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) following a short-term, non-invasive stimulation of the vagus nerve. METHODS Whole blood samples were collected before and after a short-lived application of active tVNS at the inner tragus as well as sham stimulation of the earlobe. Cytokine serum concentrations were determined in two healthy cohorts of younger (n = 20) and older participants (n = 19). Differences between active and sham conditions were analyzed using linear mixed models and post hoc F tests after applying Yeo-Johnson power transformations. This trial was part of a larger study registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05007743). RESULTS In the young cohort, IL-6 and IL-1β concentrations were significantly increased after active stimulation, whereas they were slightly decreased after sham stimulation (IL-6: p = 0.012; IL-1β: p = 0.012). Likewise, in the older cohort, IL-1β and IL-8 concentrations were significantly elevated after active stimulation and reduced after sham application (IL-8: p = 0.007; IL-1β: p = 0.001). In contrast, circulating TNFα concentrations did not change significantly in either group. CONCLUSION Our results show that active tVNS led to an immediate increase in the serum concentrations of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and/or IL-8 in two independent cohorts of healthy study participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Veiz
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Susann-Kristin Kieslich
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dirk Czesnik
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Herrmann-Lingen
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre, Göttingen, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Meyer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre, Göttingen, Germany,
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany,
| | - Julia Staab
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre, Göttingen, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Inbaraj G, Rao RM, Ram A, Bayari SK, Belur S, Prathyusha PV, Sathyaprabha TN, Udupa K. Immediate Effects of OM Chanting on Heart Rate Variability Measures Compared Between Experienced and Inexperienced Yoga Practitioners. Int J Yoga 2022; 15:52-58. [PMID: 35444369 PMCID: PMC9015091 DOI: 10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_141_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chanting "OM" is a form of meditation that has numerous health benefits. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms underpinning its effect are surprisingly scarce. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of OM chanting on autonomic modulation, using heart rate variability (HRV), on experienced yoga practitioners and yoga naïve persons. Methods This prospective study included 19 yoga practitioners (9 females and 10 males; group mean age ± standard deviation [SD]; 25.9 ± 3.2 years) and 17 yoga naïve persons (8 females and 9 males; group mean age ± SD; 24.8 ± 3.6 years) of both sexes and similar age range. Both the groups were assessed for HRV indices (time and frequency domain measures) before and after loud OM chanting for 5 min. Results Baseline comparison using Mann-Whitney U test between groups showed yoga practitioners had significantly increased high frequency (HF) power (P < 0.029) than nonyoga practitioners, signifying a state of tranquility before the chanting of OM. After 5 min of loud chanting of OM, a comparison between groups assessed using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test revealed: HF Power, a component of the parasympathetic nervous system, was further amplified with a significantly increase (P < 0.001) in the yoga practitioners group compared to nonyoga practitioners. Furthermore, this increase in HF power was positively correlated with the years of experience in yoga. Conclusion The present study showed that a brief chanting of OM (5 min) might enhance parasympathetic nervous system activity, promote relaxation, and provide calmness. Further, this experience may be achieved effectively in individuals experienced in yoga than nonyoga practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganagarajan Inbaraj
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Raghvendra M Rao
- Director, Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy, New Delhi, India
| | - Amritanshu Ram
- Department of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Health Care Global, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Sapna K. Bayari
- Department of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Health Care Global, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Spoorthi Belur
- Department of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Health Care Global, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - PV Prathyusha
- Department of Biostatistics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - T. N. Sathyaprabha
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Kaviraja Udupa
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India,Address for correspondence: Dr. Kaviraja Udupa, Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bengaluru - 560 029, Karnataka, India. E-mail:
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154
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The efficacy and safety of auriculotherapy for weight loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Integr Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2021.101402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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155
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Zhu S, Zhang X, Zhou M, Kendrick KM, Zhao W. Therapeutic applications of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation with potential for application in neurodevelopmental or other pediatric disorders. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1000758. [PMID: 36313768 PMCID: PMC9596914 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1000758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-invasive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) as a newly developed technique involves stimulating the cutaneous receptive field formed by the auricular branch of the vagus nerve in the outer ear, with resulting activation of vagal connections to central and peripheral nervous systems. Increasing evidence indicates that maladaptive neural plasticity may underlie the pathology of several pediatric neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, disruptive behavioral disorder and stress-related disorder. Vagal stimulation may therefore provide a useful intervention for treating maladaptive neural plasticity. In the current review we summarize the current literature primarily on therapeutic use in adults and discuss the prospects of applying taVNS as a therapeutic intervention in specific pediatric neurodevelopmental and other psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, we also briefly discuss factors that would help optimize taVNS protocols in future clinical applications. We conclude from these initial findings that taVNS may be a promising alternative treatment for pediatric disorders which do not respond to other interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Zhu
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaolu Zhang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Menghan Zhou
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Keith M. Kendrick
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Weihua Zhao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of Ministry of Education, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Institute of Electronic and Information Engineering of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) in Guangdong, Dongguan, China
- *Correspondence: Weihua Zhao,
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Wang L, Wang Y, Wang Y, Wang F, Zhang J, Li S, Wu M, Li L, Rong P. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulators: a review of past, present and future devices. Expert Rev Med Devices 2021; 19:43-61. [PMID: 34937487 DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2022.2020095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As an emerging neuromodulation therapy, transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has been proven to be safe and effective for epilepsy, major depressive disorders, insomnia, glucose metabolic disorders, pain, stroke, post stroke rehabilitation, anxiety, fear, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular disorders, tinnitus, Prader-Willi Syndrome and COVID-19. AREAS COVERED Although the history of taVNS is only two decades, the devices carrying taVNS technique have been constantly updated. Especially in recent years, the development of taVNS devices has presented a new trend. To conclude, the development of taVNS devices has entered a new era, thus the update speed and quality of taVNS devices will be considerably improved in the future. This article reviewed the history and classification of taVNS devices. EXPERT OPINION The correlation between the effectiveness and stimulation parameters from taVNS devices still remains unclear. There is a lack of standard or harmonization among different taVNS devices. Strategies, including further comparative research and establishment of standard, have been recommended in this article to promote the future development of taVNS devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yifei Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jinling Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Shaoyuan Li
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Mozheng Wu
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Liang Li
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Peijing Rong
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
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Poppa T, Benschop L, Horczak P, Vanderhasselt MA, Carrette E, Bechara A, Baeken C, Vonck K. Auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation modulates the heart-evoked potential. Brain Stimul 2021; 15:260-269. [PMID: 34933143 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is active interest in biomarker discovery for transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). However, greater understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms is needed to identify candidate markers. Accumulating evidence suggests that taVNS influences activity in solitary and parabrachial nuclei, the primary brainstem relays for the transmission of visceral sensory afferents to the insula. The insula mediates interoception, which concerns the representation and regulation of homeostatic bodily states. Consequently, interoceptive pathways may be relevant to taVNS mechanisms of action. HYPOTHESES We hypothesized that taVNS would modulate an EEG-derived marker of interoceptive processing known as the heart-evoked potential (HEP). We also hypothesized that taVNS-induced HEP effects would be localizable to the insula. METHODS Using a within-subject, sham-controlled design in 43 healthy adults, we recorded EEG and ECG concurrent to taVNS. Using ECG and EEG data, we extracted HEPs. Estimation of the cortical sources of the taVNS-dependent HEP responses observed at the scalp were computed using the Boundary Element Method and weighted Minimum Norm Estimation. Statistics were calculated using cluster-based permutation methods. RESULTS taVNS altered HEP amplitudes at frontocentral and centroparietal electrode sites at various latencies. The taVNS-dependent HEP effect was localized to the insula, operculum, somatosensory cortex, and orbital and ventromedial prefrontal regions. CONCLUSION The results support the hypothesis that taVNS can access the insula as well as functionally and anatomically connected ventral prefrontal regions. HEPs may serve as an objective, non-invasive outcome parameter for the cortical effects of taVNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasha Poppa
- Ghent Experimental Psychiatry Lab, Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium; Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Lars Benschop
- Ghent Experimental Psychiatry Lab, Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
| | - Paula Horczak
- Ghent Experimental Psychiatry Lab, Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
| | - Marie-Anne Vanderhasselt
- Ghent Experimental Psychiatry Lab, Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
| | - Evelien Carrette
- 4Brain, Neurology, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
| | - Antoine Bechara
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chris Baeken
- Ghent Experimental Psychiatry Lab, Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium; Department of Psychiatry, Brussels University Hospital, Belgium; Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands
| | - Kristl Vonck
- 4Brain, Neurology, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium
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Sant'Anna LB, Couceiro SLM, Ferreira EA, Sant'Anna MB, Cardoso PR, Mesquita ET, Sant'Anna GM, Sant'Anna FM. Vagal Neuromodulation in Chronic Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:766676. [PMID: 34901227 PMCID: PMC8652049 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.766676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of invasive vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Background: Heart failure is characterized by autonomic nervous system imbalance and electrical events that can lead to sudden death. The effects of parasympathetic (vagal) stimulation in patients with HF are not well-established. Methods: From May 1994 to July 2020, a systematic review was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for clinical trials, comparing VNS with medical therapy for the management of chronic HFrEF (EF ≤ 40%). A meta-analysis of several outcomes and adverse effects was completed, and GRADE was used to assess the level of evidence. Results: Four randomized controlled trials (RCT) and three prospective studies, totalizing 1,263 patients were identified; 756 treated with VNS and 507 with medical therapy. RCT data were included in the meta-analysis (fixed-effect distribution). Adverse effects related to VNS were observed in only 11% of patients. VNS was associated with significant improvement (GRADE = High) in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class (OR, 2.72, 95% CI: 2.07–3.57, p < 0.0001), quality of life (MD −14.18, 95% CI: −18.09 to −10.28, p < 0.0001), a 6-min walk test (MD, 55.46, 95% CI: 39.11–71.81, p < 0.0001) and NT-proBNP levels (MD −144.25, 95% CI: −238.31 to −50.18, p = 0.003). There was no difference in mortality (OR, 1.24; 95% CI: 0.82–1.89, p = 0.43). Conclusions: A high grade of evidence demonstrated that vagal nerve stimulation improves NYHA functional class, a 6-min walk test, quality of life, and NT-proBNP levels in patients with chronic HFrEF, with no differences in mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Bonacossa Sant'Anna
- Medical School, Department of Education and Graduation, Fundação Técnico-Educacional Souza Marques, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Eduardo Amar Ferreira
- Medical School, Department of Education and Graduation, Fundação Técnico-Educacional Souza Marques, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana Bonacossa Sant'Anna
- Medical School, Department of Education and Graduation, Fundação Técnico-Educacional Souza Marques, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pedro Rey Cardoso
- Medical School, Department of Education and Graduation, Fundação Técnico-Educacional Souza Marques, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Fernando Mendes Sant'Anna
- Hospital Santa Izabel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Department of Education and Graduation, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Baig SS, Kamarova M, Ali A, Su L, Dawson J, Redgrave JN, Majid A. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) in stroke: the evidence, challenges and future directions. Auton Neurosci 2021; 237:102909. [PMID: 34861612 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability globally. A significant proportion of stroke survivors are left with long term neurological deficits that have a detrimental effect on personal wellbeing and wider socioeconomic impacts. As such, there is an unmet need for novel therapies that improve neurological recovery after stroke. Invasive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitation has been shown to improve upper limb motor function in chronic stroke. However, invasive VNS requires a surgical procedure and therefore may not be suitable for all stroke patients. Non-invasive, transcutaneous VNS (tVNS) via auricular vagus nerve stimulation in the ear (taVNS) and cervical vagus nerve stimulation in the neck (tcVNS) have been shown to activate similar vagal nerve projections in the central nervous system to invasive VNS. A number of pre-clinical studies indicate that tVNS delivered in acute middle cerebral artery occlusion reduces infarct size through anti-inflammatory effects, reduced excitotoxicity and increased blood-brain barrier integrity. Longer term effects of tVNS in stroke that may mediate neuroplasticity include microglial polarisation, angiogenesis and neurogenesis. Pilot clinical trials of taVNS indicate that taVNS paired with rehabilitation may improve upper limb motor and sensory function in patients with chronic stroke. In this review, we summarise and critically appraise the current pre-clinical and clinical evidence, outline the major ongoing clinical trials and detail the challenges and future directions regarding tVNS in acute and chronic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheharyar S Baig
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
| | - Marharyta Kamarova
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
| | - Ali Ali
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
| | - Li Su
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
| | - Jesse Dawson
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
| | - Jessica N Redgrave
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
| | - Arshad Majid
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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Borgmann D, Rigoux L, Kuzmanovic B, Edwin Thanarajah S, Münte TF, Fenselau H, Tittgemeyer M. Technical Note: Modulation of fMRI brainstem responses by transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation. Neuroimage 2021; 244:118566. [PMID: 34509623 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Our increasing knowledge about gut-brain interaction is revolutionising the understanding of the links between digestion, mood, health, and even decision making in our everyday lives. In support of this interaction, the vagus nerve is a crucial pathway transmitting diverse gut-derived signals to the brain to monitor of metabolic status, digestive processes, or immune control to adapt behavioural and autonomic responses. Hence, neuromodulation methods targeting the vagus nerve are currently explored as a treatment option in a number of clinical disorders, including diabetes, chronic pain, and depression. The non-invasive variant of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS), has been implicated in both acute and long-lasting effects by modulating afferent vagus nerve target areas in the brain. The physiology of neither of those effects is, however, well understood, and evidence for neuronal response upon taVNS in vagal afferent projection regions in the brainstem and its downstream targets remain to be established. Therefore, to examine time-dependent effects of taVNS on brainstem neuronal responses in healthy human subjects, we applied taVNS during task-free fMRI in a single-blinded crossover design. During fMRI data acquisition, we either stimulated the left earlobe (sham), or the target zone of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve in the outer ear (cymba conchae, verum) for several minutes, both followed by a short 'stimulation OFF' period. Time-dependent effects were assessed by averaging the BOLD response for consecutive 1-minute periods in an ROI-based analysis of the brainstem. We found a significant response to acute taVNS stimulation, relative to the control condition, in downstream targets of vagal afferents, including the nucleus of the solitary tract, the substantia nigra, and the subthalamic nucleus. Most of these brainstem regions remarkably showed increased activity in response to taVNS, and these effect sustained during the post-stimulation period. These data demonstrate that taVNS activates key brainstem regions, and highlight the potential of this approach to modulate vagal afferent signalling. Furthermore, we show that carry-over effects need to be considered when interpreting fMRI data in the context of general vagal neurophysiology and its modulation by taVNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diba Borgmann
- Synaptic Transmission in Energy Homeostasis Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany; Translational Neurocircuitry Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany; Center for Anatomy II, Neuroanatomy, University Hospital Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann Str. 9, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Lionel Rigoux
- Translational Neurocircuitry Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany; Translational Neuromodeling Unit, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Wilfriedstrasse 6, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bojana Kuzmanovic
- Translational Neurocircuitry Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sharmili Edwin Thanarajah
- Translational Neurocircuitry Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas F Münte
- Department of Neurology, University of Lübeck, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Henning Fenselau
- Synaptic Transmission in Energy Homeostasis Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany; Cluster of Excellence in Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany; Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marc Tittgemeyer
- Translational Neurocircuitry Group, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931, Cologne, Germany; Cluster of Excellence in Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
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Komisaruk BR, Frangos E. Vagus nerve afferent stimulation: Projection into the brain, reflexive physiological, perceptual, and behavioral responses, and clinical relevance. Auton Neurosci 2021; 237:102908. [PMID: 34823149 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The afferent vagus nerves project to diverse neural networks within the brainstem and forebrain, based on neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, and functional (fMRI) brain imaging evidence. In response to afferent vagal stimulation, multiple homeostatic visceral reflexes are elicited. Physiological stimuli and both invasive and non-invasive electrical stimulation that activate the afferent vagus elicit perceptual and behavioral responses that are of physiological and clinical significance. In the present review, we address these multiple roles of the afferent vagus under normal and pathological conditions, based on both animal and human evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry R Komisaruk
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07102, United States.
| | - Eleni Frangos
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
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162
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Human intracranial recordings reveal distinct cortical activity patterns during invasive and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22780. [PMID: 34815529 PMCID: PMC8611055 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02307-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is being used increasingly to treat a wide array of diseases and disorders. This growth is driven in part by the putative ability to stimulate the nerve non-invasively. Despite decades of use and a rapidly expanding application space, we lack a complete understanding of the acute effects of VNS on human cortical neurophysiology. Here, we investigated cortical responses to sub-perceptual threshold cervical implanted (iVNS) and transcutaneous auricular (taVNS) vagus nerve stimulation using intracranial neurophysiological recordings in human epilepsy patients. To understand the areas that are modulated by VNS and how they differ depending on invasiveness and stimulation parameters, we compared VNS-evoked neural activity across a range of stimulation modalities, frequencies, and amplitudes. Using comparable stimulation parameters, both iVNS and taVNS caused subtle changes in low-frequency power across broad cortical networks, which were not the same across modalities and were highly variable across participants. However, within at least some individuals, it may be possible to elicit similar responses across modalities using distinct sets of stimulation parameters. These results demonstrate that both invasive and non-invasive VNS cause evoked changes in activity across a set of highly distributed cortical networks that are relevant to a diverse array of clinical, rehabilitative, and enhancement applications.
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163
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Xie YL, Wang S, Wu Q, Chen X. Vagus nerve stimulation for upper limb motor impairment after ischemic stroke: A meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e27871. [PMID: 34797327 PMCID: PMC8601340 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000027871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Upper limb motor impairment is a common complication following stroke. Although few treatments are used to enhance motor function, still approximately 60% of survivors are left with upper limb motor impairment. Several studies have investigated vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) as a potential technique for upper limb function. However, the efficacy and safety of VNS on upper limb motor function after ischemic stroke have not been systematically evaluated. Therefore, a meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trial will be conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of VNS on upper limb motor function after ischemic stroke. METHOD We searched PUBMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Library (CNKI), and Wan Fang Database until April 1, 2021. RESULTS Six studies consisting of 234 patients were included in the analysis. Compared with control group, VNS improved upper limb function via Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (mean difference = 3.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] [2.79, 3.74], P < .00001) and Functional Independence Measurement (mean difference = 6.59, 95%CI [5.77, 7.41], P < .00001), but showed no significant change on Wolf motor function test (standardized mean difference = 0.31, 95%CI [-0.15, 0.77], P = .19). The number of adverse events were not significantly different between the studied groups (risk ratio = 1.05, 95%CI [0.85, 1.31], P = .64). CONCLUSION VNS resulted in improvement of motor function in patients after ischemic stroke, especially in the sub-chronic stage. Moreover, compared with implanted VNS, transcutaneous VNS exhibited greater efficacy in poststroke patients. Based on this meta-analysis, VNS could be a feasible and safe therapy for upper limb motor impairment.
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164
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Ludwig M, Wienke C, Betts MJ, Zaehle T, Hämmerer D. Current challenges in reliably targeting the noradrenergic locus coeruleus using transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). Auton Neurosci 2021; 236:102900. [PMID: 34781120 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), as a non-invasive brain stimulation technique may influence the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine system (LC-NE system) via modulation of the Vagus Nerve (VN) which projects to the LC. Few human studies exist examining the effects of taVNS on the LC-NE system and studies to date assessing the ability of taVNS to target the LC yield heterogeneous results. The aim of this review is to present an overview of the current challenges in assessing effects of taVNS on LC function and how translational approaches spanning animal and human research can help in this regard. A particular emphasis of the review discusses how the effects of taVNS may be influenced by changes in structure and function of the LC-NE system across the human lifespan and in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Ludwig
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Magdeburg, Germany; CBBS Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Christian Wienke
- Department of Neurology, Section of Neuropsychology, Otto-v.-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; CBBS Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Matthew J Betts
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Magdeburg, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany; CBBS Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Tino Zaehle
- Department of Neurology, Section of Neuropsychology, Otto-v.-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; CBBS Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Dorothea Hämmerer
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Magdeburg, Germany; Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK; Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck; CBBS Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
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165
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Auricular stimulation for preoperative anxiety - A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. J Clin Anesth 2021; 76:110581. [PMID: 34781116 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2021.110581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that auricular stimulation (AS) is safe and effective in treatment of preoperative anxiety; however, a systematic evaluation is lacking. The aim was to summarize the evidence on efficacy and safety of AS for preoperative anxiety, as well as for other outcomes. DESIGN We conducted a systematic review of RCTs including patients from all available populations. The search was done through MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), ISI Web of Science and Scopus Database from inception to June 2020. Study selection and data extraction were performed in by 2 independent reviewers with ability to resolve disagreements by a third author. Meta-analyses as well as the risk of bias and evidence quality assessments were performed according to the Cochrane 6.2, 2021 handbook recommendations. INTERVENTIONS We compared AS with pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for different outcomes. MEASUREMENTS We assessed the repercussion of the evaluated interventions over anxiety scores and their safety, physiological parameters, perioperative medications requirement and intensity of postoperative pain. MAIN RESULTS We have included 15 studies with 1603 patients. AS has presented reduced anxiety scores as compared to the sham control (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) -0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.09 to -0.36, p < 0.0001; 8 trials; 701 patients; heterogeneity: I2 80%; GRADE: moderate certainty) and to no intervention (SMD -1.01, 95% CI -1.58 to -0.45, p = 0.0004; 4 trials; 420 patients; heterogeneity: I2 84%; GRADE: very low certainty). There was no difference between AS and benzodiazepines (SMD -0.03; 95% CI: -0.34 to 0.28; p = 0.84; 3 trials; 158 patients; heterogeneity: I2 0%; GRADE: very low certainty). No trials reported serious adverse effects of AS. CONCLUSIONS AS may be useful in treatment of preoperative anxiety. Due to heterogenous certainty in effect estimates, further research is needed to clarify the actual efficacy of AS for preoperative anxiety.
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166
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Zaehle T, Galazky I, Krauel K. The LC-NE system as a potential target for neuromodulation to ameliorate non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Auton Neurosci 2021; 236:102901. [PMID: 34757309 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with severe motor symptoms but also with several non-motor symptoms (NMS). A substantial reduction of norepinephrine (NE) levels in various brain regions reflecting an extensive loss of innervation from the LC has been assumed as causal for the development of NMS and specifically of attentional impairments in PD. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a new, non-invasive neurostimulation method supposed to modulate the LC-NE system in humans. In the current opinion paper, we introduce taVNS as a systemic approach to directly affect NE neurotransmission in healthy as well as clinical populations and discuss its potential as therapeutic option for the treatment of NMS, specifically attentional deficits, in patients with PD. Here, we first describe the LC-NE system and discuss how LC-NE dysfunction might affects cognition in PD before detailing the mode of action of taVNS and proposing its use to modulate cognitive deficits in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tino Zaehle
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg 39106, Germany
| | - Imke Galazky
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Krauel
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg 39106, Germany; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
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167
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Carandina A, Rodrigues GD, Di Francesco P, Filtz A, Bellocchi C, Furlan L, Carugo S, Montano N, Tobaldini E. Effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on cardiovascular autonomic control in health and disease. Auton Neurosci 2021; 236:102893. [PMID: 34649119 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction is a well-known feature of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Studies on heart rate variability (HRV), a non-invasive method useful in investigating the status of cardiovascular autonomic control, have shown that a predominance of sympathetic modulation not only contributes to the progression of CVDs but has a pivotal role in their onset. Current therapies focus more on inhibition of sympathetic activity, but the presence of drug-resistant conditions and the invasiveness of some surgical procedures are an obstacle to complete therapeutic success. On the other hand, targeting the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system through invasive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has shown interesting results as alternative therapeutic approach for CVDs. However, the invasiveness and cost of the surgical procedure limit the clinical applicability of VNS and hinder the research on the physiological pathway involved. Transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (tVNS) seems to represent an important non-invasive alternative with effects comparable to those of VNS with surgical implant. Thus, in the present narrative review, we illustrate the main studies on tVNS performed in healthy subjects and in three key examples of CVDs, namely heart failure, hypertension and atrial fibrillation, highlighting the neuromodulatory effects of this technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Carandina
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriel Dias Rodrigues
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Di Francesco
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Annalisa Filtz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Bellocchi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ludovico Furlan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Carugo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Montano
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Tobaldini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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168
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Neuhuber WL, Berthoud HR. Functional anatomy of the vagus system - Emphasis on the somato-visceral interface. Auton Neurosci 2021; 236:102887. [PMID: 34634680 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Due to its pivotal role in autonomic networks, the vagus attracts continuous interest from both basic scientists and clinicians. In particular, recent advances in vagus nerve stimulation strategies and their application to pathological conditions beyond epilepsy provide a good opportunity to recall basic features of vagal peripheral and central anatomy. In addition to the "classical" vagal brainstem nuclei, i.e., dorsal motor nucleus, nucleus ambiguus and nucleus tractus solitarii, the spinal trigeminal and paratrigeminal nuclei come into play as targets of vagal afferents. On the other hand, the nucleus of the solitary tract receives and integrates not only visceral but also somatic afferents. Thus, the vagus system participates significantly in what may be defined as "somato-visceral interface".
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Affiliation(s)
- Winfried L Neuhuber
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University, Krankenhausstrasse 9, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Hans-Rudolf Berthoud
- Neurobiology of Nutrition & Metabolism Department, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA.
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169
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Phillips I, Calloway RC, Karuzis VP, Pandža NB, O'Rourke P, Kuchinsky SE. Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Strengthens Semantic Representations of Foreign Language Tone Words during Initial Stages of Learning. J Cogn Neurosci 2021; 34:127-152. [PMID: 34673939 DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Difficulty perceiving phonological contrasts in a second language (L2) can impede initial L2 lexical learning. Such is the case for English speakers learning tonal languages, like Mandarin Chinese. Given the hypothesized role of reduced neuroplasticity in adulthood limiting L2 phonological perception, the current study examined whether transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), a relatively new neuromodulatory technique, can facilitate L2 lexical learning for English speakers learning Mandarin Chinese over 2 days. Using a double-blind design, one group of participants received 10 min of continuous priming taVNS before lexical training and testing each day, a second group received 500 msec of peristimulus (peristim) taVNS preceding each to-be-learned item in the same tasks, and a third group received passive sham stimulation. Results of the lexical recognition test administered at the end of each day revealed evidence of learning for all groups, but a higher likelihood of accuracy across days for the peristim group and a greater improvement in response time between days for the priming group. Analyses of N400 ERP components elicited during the same tasks indicate behavioral advantages for both taVNS groups coincided with stronger lexico-semantic encoding for target words. Comparison of these findings to pupillometry results for the same study reported in Pandža, Phillips, Karuzis, O'Rourke, and Kuchinsky (2020) suggest that positive effects of priming taVNS (but not peristim taVNS) on lexico-semantic encoding are related to sustained attentional effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Phillips
- University of Maryland Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security, College Park.,Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Audiology and Speech Pathology Center, Bethesda, MD.,The Geneva Foundation, Bethesda, MD
| | - Regina C Calloway
- University of Maryland Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security, College Park
| | - Valerie P Karuzis
- University of Maryland Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security, College Park
| | - Nick B Pandža
- University of Maryland Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security, College Park.,University of Maryland Program in Second Language Acquisition, College Park
| | - Polly O'Rourke
- University of Maryland Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security, College Park
| | - Stefanie E Kuchinsky
- University of Maryland Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security, College Park.,Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Audiology and Speech Pathology Center, Bethesda, MD
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170
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Potential roles of vagus nerve stimulation on traumatic brain injury: Evidence from in vivo and clinical studies. Exp Neurol 2021; 347:113887. [PMID: 34624329 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. The consequences of TBI can be divided into two stages: 1) the immediate neuronal destruction during the initial trauma, resulting in the primary brain injury and pathophysiologic sequelae, and 2) the secondary brain injury, encompassing mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, cellular excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and cortical edema, resulting in increased intracranial pressure (ICP) with exacerbated brain damage. Although the pathophysiology in TBI has been thoroughly investigated, the effectivity of therapeutic approaches for TBI is still lacking. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been used for treating medical refractory epilepsy and chronic drug-resistant depression. Several previous studies also demonstrated that VNS has beneficial effects for TBI in animal models and patients. The neuroprotective effects of VNS on TBI are possibly explained through several mechanisms, including a noradrenergic mechanism, anti-inflammatory effects, regulation of neurotransmitters, and attenuation of blood brain barrier breakdown, and brain edema. The aims of this review are to summarize and discuss the current evidence pertinent to the effect of VNS on both primary and secondary brain injury following TBI from both in vivo and clinical studies.
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171
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Wolf V, Kühnel A, Teckentrup V, Koenig J, Kroemer NB. Does transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation affect vagally mediated heart rate variability? A living and interactive Bayesian meta-analysis. Psychophysiology 2021; 58:e13933. [PMID: 34473846 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), have considerable potential for clinical use. Beneficial effects of taVNS have been demonstrated on symptoms in patients with mental or neurological disorders as well as transdiagnostic dimensions, including mood and motivation. However, since taVNS research is still an emerging field, the underlying neurophysiological processes are not yet fully understood, and the replicability of findings on biomarkers of taVNS effects has been questioned. The objective of this analysis was to synthesize the current evidence concerning the effects of taVNS on vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV), a candidate biomarker that has, so far, received most attention in the field. We performed a living Bayesian random effects meta-analysis. To keep the synthesis of evidence transparent and up to date as new studies are being published, we developed a Shiny web app that regularly incorporates new results and enables users to modify study selection criteria to evaluate the robustness of the inference across potential confounds. Our analysis focuses on 16 single-blind studies comparing taVNS versus sham in healthy participants. The meta-analysis provides strong evidence for the null hypothesis (g = 0.014, CIshortest = [-0.103, 0.132], BF01 = 24.678), indicating that acute taVNS does not alter vmHRV compared to sham. To conclude, there is no support for the hypothesis that vmHRV is a robust biomarker for acute taVNS. By increasing transparency and timeliness, the concept of living meta-analyses can lead to transformational benefits in emerging fields such as non-invasive brain stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinzent Wolf
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Anne Kühnel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry and International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
| | - Vanessa Teckentrup
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Julian Koenig
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nils B Kroemer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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172
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Rangon CM, Barruet R, Mazouni A, Le Cossec C, Thevenin S, Guillaume J, Léguillier T, Huysman F, Luis D. Auricular Neuromodulation for Mass Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Insights From SOS COVID-19 a Multicentric, Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind French Pilot Study. Front Physiol 2021; 12:704599. [PMID: 34408665 PMCID: PMC8365750 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.704599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Importance: An exacerbated inflammatory response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is believed to be one of the major causes of the morbidity and mortality of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Neuromodulation therapy, based on vagus nerve stimulation, was recently hypothesized to control both the SARS-CoV-2 replication and the ensuing inflammation likely through the inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells pathway and could improve the clinical outcomes as an adjunct treatment. We proposed to test it by the stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, i.e., auricular neuromodulation (AN), a non-invasive procedure through the insertion of semipermanent needles on the ears. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of AN on the clinical outcomes in patients affected by COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants: A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial included 31 patients with respiratory failure due to COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. Within 72 h after admission, patients received either AN (n = 14) or sham neuromodulation (SN, n = 15) in addition to the conventional treatments. Main Outcome and Measures: The primary endpoint of the study was the rate of a clinical benefit conferred by AN at Day 14 (D14) as assessed by a 7-point Clinical Progression Scale. The secondary endpoint of the study was the impact of AN on the rate of transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU) and on the survival rate at D14. Results: The AN procedure was well-tolerated without any reported side effects but with no significant improvement for the measures of both primary (p > 0.3) and secondary (p > 0.05) endpoints at the interim analysis. None of the AN-treated patients died but one in the SN group did (81 years). Two AN-treated patients (73 and 79 years, respectively) and one SN-treated patient (59 years) were transferred to ICU. Remarkably, AN-treated patients were older with more representation by males than in the SN arm (i.e., the median age of 75 vs. 65 years, 79% male vs. 47%). Conclusion: The AN procedure, which was used within 72 h after the admission of patients with COVID-19, was safe and could be successfully implemented during the first two waves of COVID-19 in France. Nevertheless, AN did not significantly improve the outcome of the patients in our small preliminary study. It is pertinent to explore further to validate AN as the non-invasive mass vagal stimulation solution for the forthcoming pandemics. Clinical Trial Registration: [https://clinicaltrials.gov/], identifier [NCT04341415].
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire-Marie Rangon
- Pain and Neuromodulation Unit, Neurosurgery Department, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, Paris, France
| | - Régine Barruet
- Infectious Diseases Department, Centre Hospitalier Simone Veil, Beauvais, France
| | | | - Chloé Le Cossec
- Clinical Research Department, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Thevenin
- Clinical Research Department, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, Paris, France
| | - Jessica Guillaume
- Clinical Research Department, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, Paris, France
| | - Teddy Léguillier
- Clinical Research Department, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, Paris, France
| | - Fabienne Huysman
- Clinical Research Department, Centre Hospitalier Simone Veil, Beauvais, France
| | - David Luis
- Clinical Research Department, Centre Hospitalier Simone Veil, Beauvais, France.,Intensive Care Unit, Centre Hospitalier Simone Veil, Beauvais, France
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173
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De Martino ML, De Bartolo M, Leemhuis E, Pazzaglia M. Rebuilding Body-Brain Interaction from the Vagal Network in Spinal Cord Injuries. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11081084. [PMID: 34439702 PMCID: PMC8391959 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11081084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) exert devastating effects on body awareness, leading to the disruption of the transmission of sensory and motor inputs. Researchers have attempted to improve perceived body awareness post-SCI by intervening at the multisensory level, with the integration of somatic sensory and motor signals. However, the contributions of interoceptive-visceral inputs, particularly the potential interaction of motor and interoceptive signals, remain largely unaddressed. The present perspective aims to shed light on the use of interoceptive signals as a significant resource for patients with SCI to experience a complete sense of body awareness. First, we describe interoceptive signals as a significant obstacle preventing such patients from experiencing body awareness. Second, we discuss the multi-level mechanisms associated with the homeostatic stability of the body, which creates a unified, coherent experience of one's self and one's body, including real-time updates. Body awareness can be enhanced by targeting the vagus nerve function by, for example, applying transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation. This perspective offers a potentially useful insight for researchers and healthcare professionals, allowing them to be better equipped in SCI therapy. This will lead to improved sensory motor and interoceptive signals, a decreased likelihood of developing deafferentation pain, and the successful implementation of modern robotic technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa De Martino
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.L.D.M.); (M.D.B.); (E.L.)
- Body and Action Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Mina De Bartolo
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.L.D.M.); (M.D.B.); (E.L.)
| | - Erik Leemhuis
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.L.D.M.); (M.D.B.); (E.L.)
- Body and Action Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Mariella Pazzaglia
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.L.D.M.); (M.D.B.); (E.L.)
- Body and Action Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-6-49917633
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174
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Cao J, Zhang Y, Li H, Yan Z, Liu X, Hou X, Chen W, Hodges S, Kong J, Liu B. Different modulation effects of 1 Hz and 20 Hz transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on the functional connectivity of the periaqueductal gray in patients with migraine. J Transl Med 2021; 19:354. [PMID: 34404427 PMCID: PMC8371886 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03024-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A growing body of evidence suggests that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) may relieve symptoms of migraineurs. Frequency is one of the key stimulation parameters. The aim of this study is to investigate the modulation effect of taVNS frequency on the descending pain modulation system (DPMS) in patients with migraine. Methods Twenty-four episodic migraineurs without aura (21 females) were recruited for the single-blind, crossover, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study. Each participant attended two separate fMRI scan sessions, one for 1 Hz and another for 20 Hz taVNS, in a random order. Seed-based functional connectivity analysis was applied using the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (PAG) as the region of interest. Results Compared with the pre-taVNS resting state, continuous 1 Hz taVNS (during) produced a significant increase in functional connectivity between the PAG and the bilateral middle cingulate cortex (MCC), right precuneus, left middle frontal gyrus (MFG), and left cuneus. Compared with 20 Hz taVNS, 1 Hz taVNS produced greater PAG connectivity increases with the MCC, right precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex, left insula, and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). A significant negative correlation was observed between the number of migraine attacks in the previous 4 weeks and the PAG-MCC functional connectivity in the pre-taVNS resting-state before 1 Hz taVNS. Conclusions Our findings suggest that taVNS with different frequencies may produce different modulation effects on the descending pain modulation system, demonstrating the important role of stimulation frequency in taVNS treatment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-021-03024-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Cao
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhaoxian Yan
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xian Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyan Hou
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weicui Chen
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Sierra Hodges
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Jian Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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175
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Efficacy and Safety of Auricular Acupuncture for the Treatment of Insomnia in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164082. [PMID: 34439234 PMCID: PMC8394534 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Among women, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Sleep problems impair 40-70% of breast cancer survivors. This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effect of auricular acupuncture on sleep quality in breast cancer survivors suffering from insomnia. Fifty-two female breast cancer survivors with insomnia (mean age 55.73 ± 8.10 years) were randomized either to 10 treatments of auricular acupuncture within five weeks (n = 26), or to a single session of psychoeducation plus an insomnia advice booklet (n = 26). The primary outcome was sleep quality (measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) at week 5. Secondary outcomes were inflammation parameter (interleukin-6), stress, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and fatigue at week 5, and sleep quality, stress, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and fatigue 17 and 29 weeks after randomization. Intention-to-treat analysis showed a significantly stronger increase in sleep quality in the auricular acupuncture group compared to the psychoeducation group (p = 0.031; η2p = 0.094) at week 5. Furthermore, auricular acupuncture improved stress (p = 0.030; η2p = 0.094), anxiety (p = 0.001; η2p = 0.192), and fatigue (p = 0.006; η2p = 0.148) at week 5 compared to psychoeducation. No significant group difference was found concerning the other outcomes at week 5, or in any outcome at week 17 or week 29. No serious adverse events occurred during the study period. In conclusion, a semi-standardized group auricular acupuncture might be an effective and safe intervention in treating insomnia in breast cancer survivors in the short term, and may reduce stress, anxiety, and fatigue as well. Long-term effects remain questionable.
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176
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Transcutaneous auricular VNS applied to experimental pain: A paired behavioral and EEG study using thermonociceptive CO2 laser. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254480. [PMID: 34252124 PMCID: PMC8274876 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transcutaneous auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive neurostimulation technique with potential analgesic effects. Several studies based on subjective behavioral responses suggest that taVNS modulates nociception differently with either pro-nociceptive or anti-nociceptive effects. Objective This study aimed to characterize how taVNS alters pain perception, by investigating its effects on event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited by different types of spinothalamic and lemniscal somatosensory stimuli, combined with quantitative sensory testing (detection threshold and intensity ratings). Methods We performed 3 experiments designed to study the time-dependent effects of taVNS and compare with standard cervical VNS (cVNS). In Experiment 1, we assessed the effects of taVNS after 3 hours of stimulation. In Experiment 2, we focused on the immediate effects of the duty cycle (OFF vs. ON phases). Experiments 1 and 2 included 22 and 15 healthy participants respectively. Both experiments consisted of a 2-day cross-over protocol, in which subjects received taVNS and sham stimulation sequentially. In addition, subjects received a set of nociceptive (thermonociceptive CO2 laser, mechanical pinprick) and non-nociceptive (vibrotactile, cool) stimuli, for which we recorded detection thresholds, intensity of perception and ERPs. Finally, in Experiment 3, we tested 13 epileptic patients with an implanted cVNS by comparing OFF vs. ON cycles, using a similar experimental procedure. Results Neither taVNS nor cVNS appeared to modulate the cerebral and behavioral aspects of somatosensory perception. Conclusion The potential effect of taVNS on nociception requires a cautious interpretation, as we found no objective change in behavioral and cerebral responses to spinothalamic and lemniscal somatosensory stimulations.
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177
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D'Agostini M, Burger AM, Franssen M, Claes N, Weymar M, von Leupoldt A, Van Diest I. Effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on reversal learning, tonic pupil size, salivary alpha-amylase, and cortisol. Psychophysiology 2021; 58:e13885. [PMID: 34245461 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated whether transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) enhances reversal learning and augments noradrenergic biomarkers (i.e., pupil size, cortisol, and salivary alpha-amylase [sAA]). We also explored the effect of taVNS on respiratory rate and cardiac vagal activity (CVA). Seventy-one participants received stimulation of either the cymba concha (taVNS) or the earlobe (sham) of the left ear. After learning a series of cue-outcome associations, the stimulation was applied before and throughout a reversal phase in which cue-outcome associations were changed for some (reversal), but not for other (distractor) cues. Tonic pupil size, salivary cortisol, sAA, respiratory rate, and CVA were assessed at different time points. Contrary to our hypothesis, taVNS was not associated with an overall improvement in performance on the reversal task. Compared to sham, the taVNS group performed worse for distractor than reversal cues. taVNS did not increase tonic pupil size and sAA. Only post hoc analyses indicated that the cortisol decline was steeper in the sham compared to the taVNS group. Exploratory analyses showed that taVNS decreased respiratory rate but did not affect CVA. The weak and unexpected effects found in this study might relate to the lack of parameters optimization for taVNS and invite to further investigate the effect of taVNS on cortisol and respiratory rate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas M Burger
- Research Group Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Biological Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Nathalie Claes
- Research Group Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mathias Weymar
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.,Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | | | - Ilse Van Diest
- Research Group Health Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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178
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ZHANG ZX, LI SY, WANG Y, ZHANG Y, WANG YF, RONG PJ. Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on fasting blood glucose and serum insulin concentration in Zucker diabetes fatty rats. WORLD JOURNAL OF ACUPUNCTURE-MOXIBUSTION 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wjam.2021.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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179
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Laucius O, Gabrinovičienė R, Jucevičiūtė N, Vaitkus A, Balnytė R, Petrikonis K, Rastenytė D. Effect of aging on vagus somatosensory evoked potentials and ultrasonographic parameters of the vagus nerve. J Clin Neurosci 2021; 90:359-362. [PMID: 34275575 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2021.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Vagus somatosensory evoked potentials (VSEP) and ultrasonography can be used to detect functional and structural changes of the vagus nerve (VN) that are hypothesized to be associated with neurodegenerative diseases. However, it has not yet been established whether age-related changes in the VN occur in the healthy population. In this pilot study we included healthy volunteers in the 26-30 and 51-55 age range who comprised the younger (n = 20) and older (n = 20) groups, respectively. VSEP were recorded separately for stimulation of the auricular branch of the left and right VN. The VN CSA was measured in the transverse plane proximal to the carotid bifurcation, at the level of the distal end of the common carotid artery. No differences were found between the younger and older groups when comparing the average VN CSA (2.01 ± 0.20 vs 2.05 ± 0.20, mm2; p = 0.570) or the CSA of the right (2.08 ± 0.19 vs 2.17 ± 0.24, mm2; p = 0.233) or left VN (1.94 ± 0.26 vs 1.93 ± 0.24, mm2; p = 0.911). The right VN was larger than the left in 95% (n = 19) of older participants and in 65% (n = 13) of younger participants (p = 0.055). In comparison with the younger group, older participants showed significantly longer VSEP latencies of all wave components for electrodes C4-F4 and Fz-F3, of P1 for electrodes C3-F3 and of N1 and P2 for electrodes Fz-F4. The results of this study indicate that older age is associated with longer VSEP latencies but not with changes in VN CSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ovidijus Laucius
- Department of Neurology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu street 2, Kaunas LT-50009, Lithuania.
| | - Radvilė Gabrinovičienė
- Department of Neurology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu street 2, Kaunas LT-50009, Lithuania
| | - Neringa Jucevičiūtė
- Department of Neurology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu street 2, Kaunas LT-50009, Lithuania
| | - Antanas Vaitkus
- Department of Neurology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu street 2, Kaunas LT-50009, Lithuania
| | - Renata Balnytė
- Department of Neurology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu street 2, Kaunas LT-50009, Lithuania
| | - Kęstutis Petrikonis
- Department of Neurology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu street 2, Kaunas LT-50009, Lithuania
| | - Daiva Rastenytė
- Department of Neurology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu street 2, Kaunas LT-50009, Lithuania
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180
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Szulczewski MT. Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Combined With Slow Breathing: Speculations on Potential Applications and Technical Considerations. Neuromodulation 2021; 25:380-394. [PMID: 35396070 DOI: 10.1111/ner.13458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a relatively novel noninvasive neurostimulation method that is believed to mimic the effects of invasive cervical VNS. It has recently been suggested that the effectiveness of taVNS can be enhanced by combining it with controlled slow breathing. Slow breathing modulates the activity of the vagus nerve and is used in behavioral medicine to decrease psychophysiological arousal. Based on studies that examine the effects of taVNS and slow breathing separately, this article speculates on some of the conditions in which this combination treatment may prove effective. Furthermore, based on findings from studies on the optimization of taVNS and slow breathing, this article provides guidance on how to combine taVNS with slow breathing. MATERIALS AND METHODS A nonsystematic review. RESULTS Both taVNS and slow breathing are considered promising add-on therapeutic approaches for anxiety and depressive disorders, chronic pain, cardiovascular diseases, and insomnia. Therefore, taVNS combined with slow breathing may produce additive or even synergistic beneficial effects in these conditions. Studies on respiratory-gated taVNS during spontaneous breathing suggest that taVNS should be delivered during expiration. Therefore, this article proposes to use taVNS as a breathing pacer to indicate when and for how long to exhale during slow breathing exercises. CONCLUSIONS Combining taVNS with slow breathing seems to be a promising hybrid neurostimulation and behavioral intervention.
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181
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Ruhnau P, Zaehle T. Transcranial Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) and Ear-EEG: Potential for Closed-Loop Portable Non-invasive Brain Stimulation. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:699473. [PMID: 34194308 PMCID: PMC8236702 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.699473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
No matter how hard we concentrate, our attention fluctuates – a fact that greatly affects our success in completing a current task. Here, we review work from two methods that, in a closed-loop manner, have the potential to ameliorate these fluctuations. Ear-EEG can measure electric brain activity from areas in or around the ear, using small and thus portable hardware. It has been shown to capture the state of attention with high temporal resolution. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) comes with the same advantages (small and light) and critically current research suggests that it is possible to influence ongoing brain activity that has been linked to attention. Following the review of current work on ear-EEG and taVNS we suggest that a combination of the two methods in a closed-loop system could serve as a potential application to modulate attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Ruhnau
- Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Tino Zaehle
- Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
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182
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Capone F, Motolese F, Di Zazzo A, Antonini M, Magliozzi A, Rossi M, Marano M, Pilato F, Musumeci G, Coassin M, Di Lazzaro V. The effects of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation on pupil size. Clin Neurophysiol 2021; 132:1859-1865. [PMID: 34147923 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mechanisms of action and optimal stimulation parameters of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) are currently unknown. Pupil size has gained attention as a promising biomarker of vagal activation in different studies on animal models. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of taVNS on pupil diameter in healthy subjects. METHODS All subjects received taVNS at the left external acoustic meatus and control stimulation at the left earlobe during the same experimental session. Different intensities (0.5 mA; 1.0 mA; 2.0 mA; 3.0 mA) for both conditions were tested. Tonic pupil size was recorded in both eyes at baseline and during each stimulation using an infrared-automated pupillometer in three different illuminance conditions (scotopic, mesopic, photopic). RESULTS In scotopic illuminance condition, a significant interaction between intensity and condition (real vs control) was found for the left eye. Post-Hoc analysis showed that during real taVNS at 2 mA, pupil size was significantly larger in comparison to baseline and 2 mA control stimulation. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that taVNS induces pupil dilation under specific illuminance conditions and at specific stimulation intensity. SIGNIFICANCE The effects of taVNS are strictly dependent on technical aspects, such as stimulation parameters and experimental set-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fioravante Capone
- Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy; NeXT: Neurophysiology and Neuroengineering of Human-Technology Interaction Research Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesco Motolese
- Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy; NeXT: Neurophysiology and Neuroengineering of Human-Technology Interaction Research Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Zazzo
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Antonini
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Magliozzi
- Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Rossi
- Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Marano
- Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Pilato
- Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Musumeci
- NeXT: Neurophysiology and Neuroengineering of Human-Technology Interaction Research Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Coassin
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
- Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
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183
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Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A viable option? PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2021; 264:171-190. [PMID: 34167655 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) suffer from a range of cognitive and behavioral problems that severely impair their educational and occupational attainment. ADHD symptoms have been linked to structural and functional changes within and between different brain regions, particularly the prefrontal cortex. At the system level, reduced availability of the neurotransmitters dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) but also γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) have been repeatedly demonstrated. Recently, non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques have been explored as treatment alternatives to alter dysfunctional activation patterns in specified brain areas or networks. In the current paper, we introduce transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) as a systemic approach to directly affect NE and GABA neurotransmission. TVNS is a non-drug intervention with low risk and proven efficacy in improving cognitive particularly executive functions. It is easy to apply and therefore well-suited to provide home-based or mobile treatment options allowing a significant increase in treatment intensity and providing easier access to medical care for individuals who are unable to regularly visit a clinician. We describe in detail the underlying mechanisms of tVNS and current fields of application and discuss its potential as an adjuvant treatment for ADHD.
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184
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Yakunina N, Nam EC. Direct and Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of Tinnitus: A Scoping Review. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:680590. [PMID: 34122002 PMCID: PMC8193498 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.680590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent animal research has shown that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with sound stimuli can induce neural plasticity in the auditory cortex in a controlled manner. VNS paired with tones excluding the tinnitus frequency eliminated physiological and behavioral characteristics of tinnitus in noise-exposed rats. Several clinical trials followed and explored the effectiveness of VNS paired with sound stimuli for alleviating tinnitus in human subjects. Transcutaneous VNS (tVNS) has received increasing attention as a non-invasive alternative approach to tinnitus treatment. Several studies have also explored tVNS alone (not paired with sound stimuli) as a potential therapy for tinnitus. In this review, we discuss existing knowledge about direct and tVNS in terms of applicability, safety, and effectiveness in diminishing tinnitus symptoms in human subjects. This review includes all existing clinical and neuroimaging studies of tVNS alone or paired with acoustic stimulation in tinnitus patients and outlines the present limitations that must be overcome to maximize the potential of (t)VNS as a therapy for tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Yakunina
- Institute of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Eui-Cheol Nam
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
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185
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Zhang L, Wu Z, Zhou J, Lu S, Wang C, Xia Y, Ren H, Tong Z, Ke L, Li W. Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Acute Pancreatitis: A Role for the Vagus Nerve-Mediated Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:647647. [PMID: 34055878 PMCID: PMC8155617 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.647647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ failure resulting from excessive inflammation is the leading cause of death in the early phase of acute pancreatitis (AP). The autonomic nervous system was reported to be involved in AP, and the vagus nerve could exert anti-inflammatory effects through α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) signaling. Acupuncture has been widely used in traditional Asian medicine, and recent studies suggested the inflammation modulating effect of electroacupuncture (EA) might be mediated by the autonomic nervous system. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of EA in AP animal models. Two independent AP mouse models were used, namely, caerulein hyperstimulation and pancreatic duct ligation. We found that EA at Zusanli acupoint increased vagus nerve activity, suppressed systemic inflammation, and alleviated the histopathological manifestations and leukocyte infiltrations of the pancreas. Induction of AP resulted in a remarkable decrease in the frequency of α7nAchR+ macrophages in the pancreas, while EA counteracted this phenomenon. The anti-inflammatory, pancreatic protective and upregulation of α7nAchR effects of EA were reduced in mice with vagotomy. Moreover, the therapeutic effects of EA were attenuated in mice treated with methyllycaconitine citrate, a selective α7nAChR antagonist. Taken together, EA could modulate inflammation, thereby exerting protective effects in AP. The mechanism may include activating the vagus nerve through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyang Wu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Clinical Medical College of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shengfeng Lu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chaofan Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yiqiu Xia
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongyan Ren
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhihui Tong
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lu Ke
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weiqin Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Zhu Y, Xu F, Lu D, Rong P, Cheng J, Li M, Gong Y, Sun C, Wei W, Lin L, Chen JDZ. Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation improves functional dyspepsia by enhancing vagal efferent activity. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 320:G700-G711. [PMID: 33624527 PMCID: PMC8887908 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00426.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
This study was designed to investigate whether transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) would be able to improve major pathophysiologies of functional dyspepsia (FD) in patients with FD. Thirty-six patients with FD (21 F) were studied in two sessions (taVNS and sham-ES). Physiological measurements, including gastric slow waves, gastric accommodation, and autonomic functions, were assessed by the electrogastrogram (EGG), a nutrient drink test and the spectral analysis of heart rate variability derived from the electrocardiogram (ECG), respectively. Thirty-six patients with FD (25 F) were randomized to receive 2-wk taVNS or sham-ES. The dyspeptic symptom scales, anxiety and depression scores, and the same physiological measurements were assessed at the beginning and the end of the 2-wk treatment. In comparison with sham-ES, acute taVNS improved gastric accommodation (P = 0.008), increased the percentage of normal gastric slow waves (%NSW, fasting: P = 0.010; fed: P = 0.007) and vagal activity (fasting: P = 0.056; fed: P = 0.026). In comparison with baseline, 2-wk taVNS but not sham-ES reduced symptoms of dyspepsia (P = 0.010), decreased the scores of anxiety (P = 0.002) and depression (P < 0.001), and improved gastric accommodation (P < 0.001) and the %NSW (fasting: P < 0.05; fed: P < 0.05) by enhancing vagal efferent activity (fasting: P = 0.015; fed: P = 0.048). Compared with the HC, the patients showed increased anxiety (P < 0.001) and depression (P < 0.001), and decreased gastric accommodation (P < 0.001) and %NSW (P < 0.001) as well as decreased vagal activity (fasting: P = 0.047). The noninvasive taVNS has a therapeutic potential for treating nonsevere FD by improving gastric accommodation and gastric pace-making activity via enhancing vagal activity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Treatment of functional dyspepsia is difficult due to various pathophysiological factors. The proposed method of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation improves symptoms of both dyspepsia and depression/anxiety, and gastric functions (accommodation and slow waves), possibly mediated via the enhancement of vagal efferent activity. This noninvasive and easy-to-implement neuromodulation method will be well received by patients and healthcare providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhu
- 1Division of Gastroenterology, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Yangzhou, China,2Division of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Xu
- 3Division of Gastroenterology, Yinzhou Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Dewen Lu
- 3Division of Gastroenterology, Yinzhou Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Peijing Rong
- 4Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiafei Cheng
- 5Division of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Miaomiao Li
- 6Division of Gastroenterology, the Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian, China
| | - Yaoyao Gong
- 2Division of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chao Sun
- 1Division of Gastroenterology, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Yangzhou, China
| | - Wei Wei
- 7Division of Gastroenterology, Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Lin
- 2Division of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiande D. Z. Chen
- 8Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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187
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Wang Y, Zhan G, Cai Z, Jiao B, Zhao Y, Li S, Luo A. Vagus nerve stimulation in brain diseases: Therapeutic applications and biological mechanisms. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:37-53. [PMID: 33894241 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Brain diseases, including neurodegenerative, cerebrovascular and neuropsychiatric diseases, have posed a deleterious threat to human health and brought a great burden to society and the healthcare system. With the development of medical technology, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an alternative treatment for refractory epilepsy, refractory depression, cluster headaches, and migraines. Furthermore, current evidence showed promising results towards the treatment of more brain diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and stroke. Nonetheless, the biological mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of VNS in brain diseases remain only partially elucidated. This review aims to delve into the relevant preclinical and clinical studies and update the progress of VNS applications and its potential mechanisms underlying the biological effects in brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Gaofeng Zhan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Ziwen Cai
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Bo Jiao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Yilin Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Shiyong Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Ailin Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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188
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Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation induces stabilizing modifications in large-scale functional brain networks: towards understanding the effects of taVNS in subjects with epilepsy. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7906. [PMID: 33846432 PMCID: PMC8042037 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87032-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a novel non-invasive brain stimulation technique considered as a potential supplementary treatment option for subjects with refractory epilepsy. Its exact mechanism of action is not yet fully understood. We developed an examination schedule to probe for immediate taVNS-induced modifications of large-scale epileptic brain networks and accompanying changes of cognition and behaviour. In this prospective trial, we applied short-term (1 h) taVNS to 14 subjects with epilepsy during a continuous 3-h EEG recording which was embedded in two standardized neuropsychological assessments. From these EEG, we derived evolving epileptic brain networks and tracked important topological, robustness, and stability properties of networks over time. In the majority of investigated subjects, taVNS induced measurable and persisting modifications in network properties that point to a more resilient epileptic brain network without negatively impacting cognition, behaviour, or mood. The stimulation was well tolerated and the usability of the device was rated good. Short-term taVNS has a topology-modifying, robustness- and stability-enhancing immediate effect on large-scale epileptic brain networks. It has no detrimental effects on cognition and behaviour. Translation into clinical practice requires further studies to detail knowledge about the exact mechanisms by which taVNS prevents or inhibits seizures.
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189
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Farmer AD, Strzelczyk A, Finisguerra A, Gourine AV, Gharabaghi A, Hasan A, Burger AM, Jaramillo AM, Mertens A, Majid A, Verkuil B, Badran BW, Ventura-Bort C, Gaul C, Beste C, Warren CM, Quintana DS, Hämmerer D, Freri E, Frangos E, Tobaldini E, Kaniusas E, Rosenow F, Capone F, Panetsos F, Ackland GL, Kaithwas G, O'Leary GH, Genheimer H, Jacobs HIL, Van Diest I, Schoenen J, Redgrave J, Fang J, Deuchars J, Széles JC, Thayer JF, More K, Vonck K, Steenbergen L, Vianna LC, McTeague LM, Ludwig M, Veldhuizen MG, De Couck M, Casazza M, Keute M, Bikson M, Andreatta M, D'Agostini M, Weymar M, Betts M, Prigge M, Kaess M, Roden M, Thai M, Schuster NM, Montano N, Hansen N, Kroemer NB, Rong P, Fischer R, Howland RH, Sclocco R, Sellaro R, Garcia RG, Bauer S, Gancheva S, Stavrakis S, Kampusch S, Deuchars SA, Wehner S, Laborde S, Usichenko T, Polak T, Zaehle T, Borges U, Teckentrup V, Jandackova VK, Napadow V, Koenig J. International Consensus Based Review and Recommendations for Minimum Reporting Standards in Research on Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (Version 2020). Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 14:568051. [PMID: 33854421 PMCID: PMC8040977 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.568051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Given its non-invasive nature, there is increasing interest in the use of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) across basic, translational and clinical research. Contemporaneously, tVNS can be achieved by stimulating either the auricular branch or the cervical bundle of the vagus nerve, referred to as transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation(VNS) and transcutaneous cervical VNS, respectively. In order to advance the field in a systematic manner, studies using these technologies need to adequately report sufficient methodological detail to enable comparison of results between studies, replication of studies, as well as enhancing study participant safety. We systematically reviewed the existing tVNS literature to evaluate current reporting practices. Based on this review, and consensus among participating authors, we propose a set of minimal reporting items to guide future tVNS studies. The suggested items address specific technical aspects of the device and stimulation parameters. We also cover general recommendations including inclusion and exclusion criteria for participants, outcome parameters and the detailed reporting of side effects. Furthermore, we review strategies used to identify the optimal stimulation parameters for a given research setting and summarize ongoing developments in animal research with potential implications for the application of tVNS in humans. Finally, we discuss the potential of tVNS in future research as well as the associated challenges across several disciplines in research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D. Farmer
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Strzelczyk
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Alexander V. Gourine
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neuroscience, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alireza Gharabaghi
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, University Hospital and University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Alkomiet Hasan
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas M. Burger
- Laboratory for Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Ann Mertens
- Department of Neurology, Institute for Neuroscience, 4Brain, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - Arshad Majid
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Bart Verkuil
- Clinical Psychology and the Leiden Institute of Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Bashar W. Badran
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Carlos Ventura-Bort
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Charly Gaul
- Migraine and Headache Clinic Koenigstein, Königstein im Taunus, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Daniel S. Quintana
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dorothea Hämmerer
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences Magdeburg (CBBS), Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Elena Freri
- Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleni Frangos
- Pain and Integrative Neuroscience Branch, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Eleonora Tobaldini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Eugenijus Kaniusas
- Institute of Electrodynamics, Microwave and Circuit Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
- SzeleSTIM GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Felix Rosenow
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Fioravante Capone
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Fivos Panetsos
- Faculty of Biology and Faculty of Optics, Complutense University of Madrid and Institute for Health Research, San Carlos Clinical Hospital (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gareth L. Ackland
- Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gaurav Kaithwas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Lucknow, India
| | - Georgia H. O'Leary
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Hannah Genheimer
- Department of Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Heidi I. L. Jacobs
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ilse Van Diest
- Research Group Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean Schoenen
- Headache Research Unit, Department of Neurology-Citadelle Hospital, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Jessica Redgrave
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Jiliang Fang
- Functional Imaging Lab, Department of Radiology, Guang An Men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jim Deuchars
- School of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Jozsef C. Széles
- Division for Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julian F. Thayer
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Kaushik More
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Neuromodulatory Networks, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Kristl Vonck
- Department of Neurology, Institute for Neuroscience, 4Brain, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - Laura Steenbergen
- Clinical and Cognitive Psychology and the Leiden Institute of Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Lauro C. Vianna
- NeuroV̇ASQ̇ - Integrative Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Education, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Lisa M. McTeague
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Mareike Ludwig
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Maria G. Veldhuizen
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marijke De Couck
- Faculty of Health Care, University College Odisee, Aalst, Belgium
- Division of Epileptology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Casazza
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marius Keute
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, University Hospital and University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Marom Bikson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City College of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Marta Andreatta
- Department of Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Martina D'Agostini
- Research Group Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mathias Weymar
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Matthew Betts
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Prigge
- Neuromodulatory Networks, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Section for Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Roden
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Munich, Germany
| | - Michelle Thai
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Nathaniel M. Schuster
- Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Pain Medicine, University of California, San Diego Health System, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Nicola Montano
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Niels Hansen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience and Imaging in Psychiatry (SNIPLab), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nils B. Kroemer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peijing Rong
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rico Fischer
- Department of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Robert H. Howland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Roberta Sclocco
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States
- Department of Radiology, Logan University, Chesterfield, MO, United States
| | - Roberta Sellaro
- Cognitive Psychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ronald G. Garcia
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sebastian Bauer
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sofiya Gancheva
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Stavros Stavrakis
- Faculty of Biological Science, School of Biomedical Science, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Kampusch
- Institute of Electrodynamics, Microwave and Circuit Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
- SzeleSTIM GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susan A. Deuchars
- School of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Sven Wehner
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sylvain Laborde
- Department of Performance Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Deutsche Sporthochschule, Köln, Germany
| | - Taras Usichenko
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Thomas Polak
- Laboratory of Functional Neurovascular Diagnostics, AG Early Diagnosis of Dementia, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tino Zaehle
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Uirassu Borges
- Department of Performance Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Deutsche Sporthochschule, Köln, Germany
- Department of Social and Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Deutsche Sporthochschule, Köln, Germany
| | - Vanessa Teckentrup
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Vera K. Jandackova
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
- Department of Human Movement Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Vitaly Napadow
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States
- Department of Radiology, Logan University, Chesterfield, MO, United States
| | - Julian Koenig
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Section for Experimental Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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190
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Bonaz B, Sinniger V, Pellissier S. Therapeutic Potential of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:650971. [PMID: 33828455 PMCID: PMC8019822 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.650971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The vagus nerve is a mixed nerve, comprising 80% afferent fibers and 20% efferent fibers. It allows a bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the digestive tract. It has a dual anti-inflammatory properties via activation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, by its afferents, but also through a vago-vagal inflammatory reflex involving an afferent (vagal) and an efferent (vagal) arm, called the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Indeed, the release of acetylcholine at the end of its efferent fibers is able to inhibit the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha by macrophages via an interneuron of the enteric nervous system synapsing between the efferent vagal endings and the macrophages and releasing acetylcholine. The vagus nerve also synapses with the splenic sympathetic nerve to inhibit the release of TNF-alpha by splenic macrophages. It can also activate the spinal sympathetic system after central integration of its afferents. This anti-TNF-alpha effect of the vagus nerve can be used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, represented by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis where this cytokine plays a key role. Bioelectronic medicine, via vagus nerve stimulation, may have an interest in this non-drug therapeutic approach as an alternative to conventional anti-TNF-alpha drugs, which are not devoid of side effects feared by patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Bonaz
- Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences, Inserm U1216, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Valérie Sinniger
- Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences, Inserm U1216, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Sonia Pellissier
- Laboratoire Inter-Universitaire de Psychologie Personnalité, Cognition, Changement Social, University Grenoble Alpes, University Savoie Mont Blanc, Grenoble, France
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191
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Carraro U, Yablonka-Reuveni Z. Translational research on Myology and Mobility Medicine: 2021 semi-virtual PDM3 from Thermae of Euganean Hills, May 26 - 29, 2021. Eur J Transl Myol 2021; 31:9743. [PMID: 33733717 PMCID: PMC8056169 DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2021.9743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
On 19-21 November 2020, the meeting of the 30 years of the Padova Muscle Days was virtually held while the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic was hitting the world after a seemingly quiet summer. During the 2020-2021 winter, the epidemic is still active, despite the start of vaccinations. The organizers hope to hold the 2021 Padua Days on Myology and Mobility Medicine in a semi-virtual form (2021 S-V PDM3) from May 26 to May 29 at the Thermae of Euganean Hills, Padova, Italy. Here the program and the Collection of Abstracts are presented. Despite numerous world problems, the number of submitted/selected presentations (lectures and oral presentations) has increased, prompting the organizers to extend the program to four dense days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugo Carraro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of the University of Padova, Italy; CIR-Myo - Myology Centre, University of Padova, Italy; A-C Mioni-Carraro Foundation for Translational Myology, Padova.
| | - Zipora Yablonka-Reuveni
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA.
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192
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Wu X, Zhang Y, Luo WT, Mai RR, Hou XY, Xia ZQ, Xu BY, Liu B. Brain Functional Mechanisms Determining the Efficacy of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Primary Insomnia. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:609640. [PMID: 33776631 PMCID: PMC7994340 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.609640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has been reported to be effective in the treatment of primary insomnia (PI); however, its efficacy varies considerably across individuals for reasons that are unclear. In order to clarify the underlying mechanisms, this study investigated the effects of taVNS on spontaneous neuronal activity and autonomic nervous system function by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and measurement of heart rate variability (HRV), respectively, in patients with PI. Forty patients with PI were divided into effective (group A) and ineffective (group B) groups based on their response to taVNS as determined by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score reduction rate (group A ≥ 25% and group B < 25%). Spontaneous neuronal activity was measured by fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and HRV values and was compared between the two groups as well as before vs after taVNS. We then analyzed the correlations among efficacy of taVNS for 4 weeks, the fALFF and HRV values during continuous taVNS state. The results showed that the HRV parameter values (i.e., root mean square of successive differences, percentage of adjacent NN intervals differing by >50 ms, and high frequency) of group A were higher than those of group B during continuous taVNS state. In the fMRI scan, the fALFF values of the right cerebellum, right medial superior frontal gyrus, and bilateral supplementary motor area—which belong to the sensorimotor network (SMN)—were lower in group A than in group B during continuous taVNS state. The correlation analysis revealed that the efficacy of continuous taVNS and HRV and fALFF values were interrelated. These findings demonstrate that differential regulation of the SMN by the autonomic nervous system may be responsible for inter-individual variations in the efficacy of taVNS and suggest that HRV and fALFF are potential biomarkers for predicting PI patients’ response to taVNS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Ting Luo
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Run-Ru Mai
- Department of Sleep Disorder, Fangcun Branch, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Hou
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zi-Qiang Xia
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bi-Yun Xu
- Department of Sleep Disorder, Fangcun Branch, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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193
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Jenkins DD, Khodaparast N, O'Leary GH, Washburn SN, Covalin A, Badran BW. Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation (tAN): A Novel Adjuvant Treatment in Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:648556. [PMID: 33762918 PMCID: PMC7982745 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.648556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal opioid use during pregnancy is a growing national problem and can lead to newborns developing neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) soon after birth. Recent data demonstrates that nearly every 15 min a baby is born in the United States suffering from NOWS. The primary treatment for NOWS is opioid replacement therapy, commonly oral morphine, which has neurotoxic effects on the developing brain. There is an urgent need for non-opioid treatments for NOWS. Transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tAN), a novel and non-invasive form of electrostimulation, may serve as a promising alternative to morphine. tAN is delivered via a multichannel earpiece electrode worn on and around the left ear, targeting two cranial nerves—the vagus and trigeminal nerves. Prior research suggests that auricular neurostimulation exerts an anxiolytic effect on the body by releasing endogenous opioids and reduces withdrawal symptoms in adults actively withdrawing from opioids. In this first-in-human prospective, open-label trial, we investigated tAN as an adjuvant to morphine therapy in eight infants >33 weeks gestational age suffering from NOWS and receiving oral morphine treatment. Infants received tAN for 30 min 1 h before receiving a morphine dose. tAN was delivered at 0.1 mA below perception intensity at two different nerve targets on the ear: Region 1, the auricular branch of the vagus nerve; and Region 2, the auriculotemporal nerve. tAN was delivered up to four times daily for a maximum of 12 days. The primary outcome measures were safety [heart rate monitoring, Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS), and skin irritation] and morphine length of treatment (LOT). tAN was well-tolerated and resulted in no unanticipated adverse events. Comparing to the national average of 23 days, the average oral morphine LOT was 13.3 days (median 9 days) and the average LOT after tAN initiation was 7 days (median 6 days). These preliminary data suggest that tAN is safe and may serve as a promising alternative adjuvant for treating NOWS and reducing the amount of time an infant receives oral morphine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea D Jenkins
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | | | - Georgia H O'Leary
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Brain Stimulation Division, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | | | | | - Bashar W Badran
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Brain Stimulation Division, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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194
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Kania AM, Weiler KN, Kurian AP, Opena ML, Orellana JN, Stauss HM. Activation of the cholinergic antiinflammatory reflex by occipitoatlantal decompression and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation. J Osteopath Med 2021; 121:401-415. [PMID: 33694358 DOI: 10.1515/jom-2020-0071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT The parasympathetic-mediated inflammatory reflex inhibits excessive proinflammatory cytokine production. Noninvasive techniques, including occipitoatlantal decompression (OA-D) and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), have been demonstrated to increase parasympathetic tone. OBJECTIVES To test the hypothesis that OA-D and taVNS increase parasympathetic nervous system activity and inhibit proinflammatory cytokine mobilization and/or production. METHODS Healthy adult participants were randomized to receive OA-D (5 min of OA-D followed by 10 min of rest; n=8), taVNS (15 min; n=9), or no intervention (15 min, time control; n=10) on three consecutive days. Before and after these interventions, saliva samples were collected for determination of the cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Arterial blood pressure and the electrocardiogram were recorded for a 30-min baseline, throughout the intervention, and during a 30-min recovery period to derive heart rate and blood pressure variability markers as indices of vagal and sympathetic control. RESULTS OA-D and taVNS increased root mean square of successive RR interval differences (RMSSD) and high frequency heart rate variability, which are established markers for parasympathetic modulation of cardiac function. In all three groups, the experimental protocol was associated with a significant increase in salivary cytokine concentrations. However, the increase in IL-1β was significantly less in the taVNS group (+66 ± 13 pg/mL; p<0.05) than in the time control group (+142 ± 24 pg/mL). A similar trend was observed in the taVNS group for TNF-α (+1.7 ± 0.3 pg/mL vs. 4.1 ± 1.3 pg/mL; p<0.10). In the OA-D group baseline IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels on the third study day were significantly lower than on the first study day (IL-6: 2.3 ± 0.4 vs. 3.2 ± 0.6 pg/mL, p<0.05; IL-8: 190 ± 61 vs. 483 ± 125 pg/mL, p <0.05; TNF-α: 1.2 ± 0.3 vs. 2.3 ± 0.4 pg/mL, p<0.05). OA-D decreased mean blood pressure from the first (100 ± 8 mmHg) to the second (92 ± 6 mmHg; p<0.05) and third (93 ± 8 mmHg; p<0.05) study days and reduced low frequency spectral power of systolic blood pressure variability (19 ± 3 mmHg2 after OA-D vs. 28 ± 5 mmHg2 before OA-D; p<0.05), a marker of sympathetic modulation of vascular tone. OA-D also increased baroreceptor-heart rate reflex sensitivity from the first (13.7 ± 3.0 ms/mmHg) to the second (18.4 ± 4.3 ms/mmHg; p<0.05) and third (16.9 ± 4.2 ms/mmHg; p<0.05) study days. CONCLUSIONS Both OA-D and taVNS elicited antiinflammatory responses that were associated with increases in heart rate variability-derived markers for parasympathetic function. These findings suggest that OA-D and taVNS activate the parasympathetic antiinflammatory reflex. Furthermore, an antihypertensive effect was observed with OA-D that may be mediated by reduced sympathetic modulation of vascular tone and/or increased baroreceptor reflex sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne M Kania
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Kailee N Weiler
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Angeline P Kurian
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Marielle L Opena
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Jennifer N Orellana
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Harald M Stauss
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, NM, USA
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195
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Dalgleish AS, Kania AM, Stauss HM, Jelen AZ. Occipitoatlantal decompression and noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation slow conduction velocity through the atrioventricular node in healthy participants. J Osteopath Med 2021; 121:349-359. [PMID: 33694346 DOI: 10.1515/jom-2020-0213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Management of atrial fibrillation includes either rhythm control that aims at establishing a sinus rhythm or rate control that aims at lowering the ventricular rate, usually with atrioventricular nodal blocking agents. Another potential strategy for ventricular rate control is to induce a negative dromotropic effect by augmenting cardiac vagal activity, which might be possible through noninvasive and nonpharmacologic techniques. Thus, the hypothesis of this study was that occipitoatlantal decompression (OA-D) and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) not only increase cardiac parasympathetic tone as assessed by heart rate variability (HRV), but also slow atrioventricular conduction, assessed by the PQ-interval of the electrocardiogram (EKG) in generally healthy study participants without atrial fibrillation. OBJECTIVES To test whether OA-D and/or transcutaneous taVNS, which have been demonstrated to increase cardiac parasympathetic nervous system activity, would also elicit a negative dromotropic effect and prolong atrioventricular conduction. METHODS EKGs were recorded in 28 healthy volunteers on three consecutive days during a 30 min baseline recording, a 15 min intervention, and a 30 min recovery period. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups that differed in the 15 min intervention. The first group received OA-D for 5 min, followed by 10 min of rest. The second group received 15 min of taVNS. The intervention in the third group that served as a time control group (CTR) consisted of 15 min of rest. The RR- and PQ-intervals were extracted from the EKGs and then used to assess HRV and AV-conduction, respectively. RESULTS The OA-D group had nine participants (32.1%), the taVNS group had 10 participants (35.7%), and the CTR group had nine participants (32.1%). The root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (RMSSD), an HRV measure of cardiac parasympathetic modulation, tended to be higher during the recovery period than during the baseline recording in the OA-D group (mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM], 54.6 ± 15.5 vs. 49.8 ± 15.8 ms; p<0.10) and increased significantly in the taVNS group (mean ± SEM, 28.8 ± 5.7 vs. 24.7 ± 4.8 ms; p<0.05), but not in the control group (mean ± SEM, 31.4 ± 4.2 vs. 28.5 ± 3.8 ms; p=0.31). This increase in RMSSD was accompanied by a lengthening of the PQ-interval in the OA-D (mean ± SEM, 170.5 ± 9.6 vs. 166.8 ± 9.7 ms; p<0.05) and taVNS (mean ± SEM, 166.6 ± 6.0 vs. 162.1 ± 5.6 ms; p<0.05) groups, but not in the control group (mean ± SEM, 164.3 ± 9.2 vs. 163.1 ± 9.1 ms; p=0.31). The PQ-intervals during the baseline recordings did not differ on the three study days in any of the three groups, suggesting that the negative dromotropic effect of OA-D and taVNS did not last into the following day. CONCLUSIONS The lengthening of the PQ-interval in the OA-D and taVNS groups was accompanied by an increase in RMSSD. This implies that the negative dromotropic effects of OA-D and taVNS are mediated through an increase in cardiac parasympathetic tone. Whether these findings suggest their utility in controlling ventricular rates during persistent atrial fibrillation remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariana S Dalgleish
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Adrienne M Kania
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Harald M Stauss
- Departments of Biomedical Sciences, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Adrianna Z Jelen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, NM, USA
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196
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Doshi TL, Staats PS. fMRI in vagus nerve stimulation for migraine: a biomarker-based approach to pain research. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2021; 46:467-468. [PMID: 33589433 DOI: 10.1136/rapm-2020-102404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tina L Doshi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Peter S Staats
- National Spine and Pain Centers, Atlantic Beach, Florida, USA
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197
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Evensen K, Jørgensen MB, Sabers A, Martiny K. Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Feasibility Study. Neuromodulation 2021; 25:443-449. [PMID: 35396074 DOI: 10.1111/ner.13366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depression (MD) contributes significantly to the global burden of disease with up to one-third of patients being treatment resistant. Therefore, the development of new treatment options for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is needed. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has shown mood improvements in patients with TRD. However, due to high costs related to the implantation and the invasive nature of VNS, an application with transcutaneous VNS (t-VNS) has been developed stimulating a vagal nerve branch in the earlobe (Arnold's nerve). A few studies with t-VNS in MD has shown a possible antidepressant effect, but feasibility is poorly described and patients with TRD have not been investigated. OBJECTIVES As the full antidepressant effect of t-VNS takes months we wanted to assess feasibility and side effects of daily treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS Single-arm feasibility trial assessing compliance, usability, side effects, cognitive speed, and depression in a four-week period with a recommended t-VNS stimulation duration of four hours per day in patients with TRD. The primary outcome was compliance with 80% of the recommended daily treatment time. RESULTS Compliance threshold was reached for 80.0% of the 20 included participants. Usability was acceptable. Side effects were few, mild or moderate, mostly as local effects at the contact point in the ear. The device was difficult to use for some participants. A statistically significant reduction in depression severity and an increase in cognitive speed were seen with unchanged suicidal ideation and sleep. CONCLUSIONS We would recommend larger long-term randomized studies of t-VNS to access any antidepressant effect in TRD. The design of the device might be improved for higher usability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Balslev Jørgensen
- Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Sabers
- Department of Neurology, University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Klaus Martiny
- Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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198
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A Step further-The Role of Trigeminocardiac Reflex in Therapeutic Implications: Hypothesis, Evidence, and Experimental Models. J Neurosurg Anesthesiol 2021; 34:364-371. [PMID: 33538537 DOI: 10.1097/ana.0000000000000760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) is a well-recognized brainstem reflex that represents a unique interaction between the brain and the heart through the Vth and Xth cranial nerves and brainstem nuclei. The TCR has mainly been reported as an intraoperative phenomenon causing cardiovascular changes during skull-base surgeries. However, it is now appreciated that the TCR is implicated during non-neurosurgical procedures and in nonsurgical conditions, and its complex reflex pathways have been explored as potential therapeutic options in various neurological and cardiovascular diseases. This narrative review presents an in-depth overview of hypothetical and experimental models of the TCR phenomenon in relation to the Vth and Xth cranial nerves. In addition, primitive interactions between these 2 cranial nerves and their significance are highlighted. Finally, therapeutic models of the complex interactions of the TCR and areas for further research will be considered.
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199
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Guo ZP, Sörös P, Zhang ZQ, Yang MH, Liao D, Liu CH. Use of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation as an Adjuvant Therapy for the Depressive Symptoms of COVID-19: A Literature Review. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:765106. [PMID: 34975571 PMCID: PMC8714783 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.765106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) comprises more than just severe acute respiratory syndrome. It also interacts with the cardiovascular, nervous, renal, and immune systems at multiple levels, increasing morbidity in patients with underlying cardiometabolic conditions and inducing myocardial injury or dysfunction. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), which is derived from auricular acupuncture, has become a popular therapy that is increasingly accessible to the general public in modern China. Here, we begin by outlining the historical background of taVNS, and then describe important links between dysfunction in proinflammatory cytokine release and related multiorgan damage in COVID-19. Furthermore, we emphasize the important relationships between proinflammatory cytokines and depressive symptoms. Finally, we discuss how taVNS improves immune function via the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and modulates brain circuits via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, making taVNS an important treatment for depressive symptoms on post-COVID-19 sequelae. Our review suggests that the link between anti-inflammatory processes and brain circuits could be a potential target for treating COVID-19-related multiorgan damage, as well as depressive symptoms using taVNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Peng Guo
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Peter Sörös
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Zhu-Qing Zhang
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ming-Hao Yang
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Liao
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-Hong Liu
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Neuromodulation, Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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200
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Rangon CM, Krantic S, Moyse E, Fougère B. The Vagal Autonomic Pathway of COVID-19 at the Crossroad of Alzheimer's Disease and Aging: A Review of Knowledge. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2020; 4:537-551. [PMID: 33532701 PMCID: PMC7835993 DOI: 10.3233/adr-200273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-triggered mortality is significantly higher in older than in younger populations worldwide. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is related to aging and was recently reported to be among the major risk factors for COVID-19 mortality in older people. The symptomatology of COVID-19 indicates that lethal outcomes of infection rely on neurogenic mechanisms. The present review compiles the available knowledge pointing to the convergence of COVID-19 complications with the mechanisms of autonomic dysfunctions in AD and aging. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is prone to neuroinvasion from the lung along the vagus nerve up to the brainstem autonomic nervous centers involved in the coupling of cardiovascular and respiratory rhythms. The brainstem autonomic network allows SARS-CoV-2 to trigger a neurogenic switch to hypertension and hypoventilation, which may act in synergy with aging- and AD-induced dysautonomias, along with an inflammatory "storm". The lethal outcomes of COVID-19, like in AD and unhealthy aging, likely rely on a critical hypoactivity of the efferent vagus nerve cholinergic pathway, which is involved in lowering cardiovascular pressure and systemic inflammation tone. We further discuss the emerging evidence supporting the use of 1) the non-invasive stimulation of vagus nerve as an additional therapeutic approach for severe COVID-19, and 2) the demonstrated vagal tone index, i.e., heart rate variability, via smartphone-based applications as a non-serological low-cost diagnostic of COVID-19. These two well-known medical approaches are already available and now deserve large-scale testing on human cohorts in the context of both AD and COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire-Marie Rangon
- Pain and Neuromodulation Unit, Division of Neurosurgery, Hôpital Fondation Ophtalmologique A. De Rothschild, Paris, France
| | - Slavica Krantic
- Sorbonne Université, St. Antoine Research Center (CRSA), Inserm UMRS-938, Hopital St-Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Moyse
- INRAE Centre Val-de-Loire, Physiology of Reproduction and Behavior Unit (PRC, UMR-85), Team ER2, Nouzilly, France
| | - Bertrand Fougère
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Tours University Hospital, Tours, France
- Education, Ethics, Health (EA 7505), Tours University, Tours, France
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