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Vöckel J, Kühnel A, Rossberg R, Geist N, Sigrist C, Pokorny L, Koenig J, Kroemer N, Bender S. Transcranial direct current stimulation enhances effort maintenance in ADHD. Brain Stimul 2024; 17:899-906. [PMID: 39089646 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2024.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibit increased effort aversion, likely due to deficits in anticipatory dopamine firing. Previous research has shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the right prefrontal cortex can enhance activity in dopaminergic meso-striatal regions. However, the extent to which this specific tDCS configuration effectively modulates effort behavior in anticipation of rewards in ADHD remains uncertain. HYPOTHESIS We expected an increase of effort maintenance and invigoration during and following our tDCS set-up compared to sham in subjects with ADHD. METHODS Twenty-four children and adolescents with ADHD (mean age: 11.6 years; 95 % CI [10.7, 12.4]) received 2 mA and sham tDCS for 20 min each. The anode was positioned over the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (PFC), while the cathode was placed over the right dorsolateral PFC, generating an electrical field with maximal strength in the right PFC. During and after the tDCS sessions, participants performed a button-pressing task aimed at earning delayed monetary rewards. Primary outcomes were effort maintenance (frequency of button presses) and invigoration (slopes of button presses), measuring motor task performance. RESULTS We observed a significant increase in effort maintenance both during (b = 2.66; p < 0.001) and after tDCS (b = 2.04; p= .007) compared to sham. No significant difference was found for invigoration during stimulation, while after bonferroni correction (p = 0.025) a non-significant decrease was found after tDCS compared to sham (b = -5.18; p = 0.041). CONCLUSION tDCS targeting the ventromedial PFC (anodal) and right dorsolateral PFC (cathodal) increases effort maintenance in children and adolescents with ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper Vöckel
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Anne Kühnel
- Section of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Rebecca Rossberg
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nina Geist
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christine Sigrist
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lena Pokorny
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
| | - Julian Koenig
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nils Kroemer
- Section of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany
| | - Stephan Bender
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
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Ferstl M, Kühnel A, Klaus J, Lin WM, Kroemer NB. Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation conditions increased invigoration and wanting in depression. Compr Psychiatry 2024; 132:152488. [PMID: 38657358 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2024.152488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder (MDD) is often marked by impaired motivation and reward processing, known as anhedonia. Many patients do not respond to first-line treatments, and improvements in motivation can be slow, creating an urgent need for rapid interventions. Recently, we demonstrated that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) acutely boosts effort invigoration in healthy participants, but its effects on depression remain unclear. OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of taVNS on effort invigoration and maintenance in a sample that includes patients with MDD, evaluating the generalizability of our findings. METHODS We used a single-blind, randomized crossover design in 30 patients with MDD and 29 matched (age, sex, and BMI) healthy control participants (HCP). RESULTS Consistent with prior findings, taVNS increased effort invigoration for rewards in both groups during Session 1 (p = .040), particularly for less wanted rewards in HCP (pboot < 0.001). However, invigoration remained elevated in all participants, and no acute changes were observed in Session 2 (Δinvigoration = 3.3, p = .12). Crucially, throughout Session 1, we found taVNS-induced increases in effort invigoration (pboot = 0.008) and wanting (pboot = 0.010) in patients with MDD, with gains in wanting maintained across sessions (Δwanting = 0.06, p = .97). CONCLUSIONS Our study replicates the invigorating effects of taVNS in Session 1 and reveals its generalizability to depression. Furthermore, we expand upon previous research by showing taVNS-induced conditioning effects on invigoration and wanting within Session 1 in patients that were largely sustained. While enduring motivational improvements present challenges for crossover designs, they are highly desirable in interventions and warrant further follow-up research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Ferstl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anne Kühnel
- Section of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Johannes Klaus
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Wy Ming Lin
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Hector Research Institute for Education Science and Psychology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nils B Kroemer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Section of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany.
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Décarie-Spain L, Hayes AMR, Lauer LT, Kanoski SE. The gut-brain axis and cognitive control: A role for the vagus nerve. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 156:201-209. [PMID: 36803834 PMCID: PMC10427741 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Survival requires the integration of external information and interoceptive cues to effectively guide advantageous behaviors, particularly foraging and other behaviors that promote energy acquisition and consumption. The vagus nerve acts as a critical relay between the abdominal viscera and the brain to convey metabolic signals. This review synthesizes recent findings from rodent models and humans revealing the impact of vagus nerve signaling from the gut on the control of higher-order neurocognitive domains, including anxiety, depression, reward motivation, and learning and memory. We propose a framework where meal consumption engages gastrointestinal tract-originating vagal afferent signaling that functions to alleviate anxiety and depressive-like states, while also promoting motivational and memory functions. These concurrent processes serve to favor the encoding of meal-relevant information into memory storage, thus facilitating future foraging behaviors. Modulation of these neurocognitive domains by vagal tone is also discussed in the context of pathological conditions, including the use of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and dementia-associated memory impairments. Collectively, these findings highlight the contributions of gastrointestinal vagus nerve signaling to the regulation of neurocognitive processes that shape various adaptive behavioral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Décarie-Spain
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Anna M R Hayes
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Logan Tierno Lauer
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Scott E Kanoski
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, 3641Watt Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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Teckentrup V, Kroemer NB. Mechanisms for survival: vagal control of goal-directed behavior. Trends Cogn Sci 2024; 28:237-251. [PMID: 38036309 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Survival is a fundamental physiological drive, and neural circuits have evolved to prioritize actions that meet the energy demands of the body. This fine-tuning of goal-directed actions based on metabolic states ('allostasis') is deeply rooted in our brain, and hindbrain nuclei orchestrate the vital communication between the brain and body through the vagus nerve. Despite mounting evidence for vagal control of allostatic behavior in animals, its broader function in humans is still contested. Based on stimulation studies, we propose that the vagal afferent pathway supports transitions between survival modes by gating the integration of ascending bodily signals, thereby regulating reward-seeking. By reconceptualizing vagal signals as catalysts for goal-directed behavior, our perspective opens new avenues for theory-driven translational work in mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Teckentrup
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; School of Psychology and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Nils B Kroemer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Section of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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Reed F, Foldi CJ. Do the therapeutic effects of psilocybin involve actions in the gut? Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:107-117. [PMID: 38216431 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
The psychedelic compound psilocybin has recently emerged as a therapeutic intervention for various mental health conditions. Psilocybin is a potent agonist of serotonin (5-HT) receptors (5-HTRs), which are expressed in the brain and throughout peripheral tissues, with particularly high expression in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, no studies have investigated the possibility that peripheral actions of psilocybin may contribute to improvements in mental health outcomes. This is despite strong evidence for disturbed gut-brain signalling in conditions in which psilocybin is being tested clinically. In this Opinion, we highlight the likely actions of psychedelics in the gut and provide initial support for the premise that peripheral actions may be involved in rapid and long-term therapeutic effects. A greater understanding of all sites and modes of action will guide more targeted approaches to drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Reed
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, 26 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, 23 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Australian Eating Disorders Research & Translation Centre (AEDRTC), Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Claire J Foldi
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, 26 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, 23 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
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Rufener KS, Wienke C, Salanje A, Haghikia A, Zaehle T. Effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation paired with tones on electrophysiological markers of auditory perception. Brain Stimul 2023; 16:982-989. [PMID: 37336282 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has been introduced as a non-invasive alternative to invasive vagus nerve stimulation (iVNS). While iVNS paired with tones has been highlighted as a potential effective therapy for the treatment of auditory disorders such as tinnitus, there is still scarce data available confirming the efficacy of non-invasive taVNS. Here, we assessed the effect of taVNS paired with acoustic stimuli on sensory-related electrophysiological responses. METHODS A total of 22 healthy participants were investigated with a taVNS tone-pairing paradigm using a within-subjects design. In a single session pure tones paired with either active taVNS or sham taVNS were repeatedly presented. Novel tones without electrical stimulation served as control condition. Auditory event related potentials and auditory cortex oscillations were compared before and after the tone pairing procedure between stimulation conditions. RESULTS From pre to post pairing, we observed a decrease in the N1 amplitude and in theta power to tones paired with sham taVNS while these electrophysiological measures remained stable for tones paired with active taVNS a pattern mirroring auditory sensory processing of novel, unpaired control tones. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate the efficacy of a short-term application of non-invasive taVNS to modulate auditory processing in healthy individuals and, thereby, have potential implications for interventions in auditory processing deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina S Rufener
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Christian Wienke
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Alena Salanje
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Aiden Haghikia
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Tino Zaehle
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany
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How gut hormones shape reward: A systematic review of the role of ghrelin and GLP-1 in human fMRI. Physiol Behav 2023; 263:114111. [PMID: 36740132 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal hormones ghrelin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) have opposite secretion patterns, as well as opposite effects on metabolism and food intake. Beyond their role in energy homeostasis, gastrointestinal hormones have also been suggested to modulate the reward system. However, the potential of ghrelin and GLP-1 to modulate reward responses in humans has not been systematically reviewed before. To evaluate the convergence of published results, we first conduct a multi-level kernel density meta-analysis of studies reporting a positive association of ghrelin (Ncomb = 353, 18 contrasts) and a negative association of GLP-1 (Ncomb = 258, 12 contrasts) and reward responses measured using task functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Second, we complement the meta-analysis using a systematic literature review, focusing on distinct reward phases and applications in clinical populations that may account for variability across studies. In line with preclinical research, we find that ghrelin increases reward responses across studies in key nodes of the motivational circuit, such as the nucleus accumbens, pallidum, putamen, substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, and the dorsal mid insula. In contrast, for GLP-1, we did not find sufficient convergence in support of reduced reward responses. Instead, our systematic review identifies potential differences of GLP-1 on anticipatory versus consummatory reward responses. Based on a systematic synthesis of available findings, we conclude that there is considerable support for the neuromodulatory potential of gut-based circulating peptides on reward responses. To unlock their potential for clinical applications, it may be useful for future studies to move beyond anticipated rewards to cover other reward facets.
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Lewis CA, Grahlow M, Kühnel A, Derntl B, Kroemer NB. Women compared with men work harder for small rewards. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5456. [PMID: 37016145 PMCID: PMC10073246 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32391-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In cost-benefit decision-making, women and men often show different trade-offs. However, surprisingly little is known about sex differences in instrumental tasks, where physical effort is exerted to gain rewards. To this end, we tested 81 individuals (47 women) with an effort allocation task, where participants had to repeatedly press a button to collect food and money tokens. We analyzed the motivational phases of invigoration and effort maintenance with varying reward magnitude, difficulty, and reward type. Whereas women and men did not differ in invigoration, we found that women showed higher effort maintenance as well as higher subjective wanting and exertion ratings for small rewards compared with men. Notably, men increased their effort more than women for higher rewards to match women's levels of performance. Crucially, we found no sex differences depending on reward type or difficulty, indicating that sex differences were specific to the encoding of the magnitude of benefits, not costs. To summarize, women exerted higher physical effort for small rewards, which corresponded with an elevated subjective value in women compared with men. Therefore, sex differences in perceived reward magnitude may contribute to differential behavioral preferences highlighting the potential of cost-benefit decision-making to provide insights about potential mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin A Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Emotion Neuroimaging Lab, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School on Neuroscience of Communication: Function, Structure, and Plasticity, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Melina Grahlow
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anne Kühnel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Nils B Kroemer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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Tian QQ, Cheng C, Liu PH, Yin ZX, Zhang MK, Cui YP, Zhao R, Deng H, Lu LM, Tang CZ, Xu NG, Yang XJ, Sun JB, Qin W. Combined effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation and 0.1 Hz slow-paced breathing on working memory. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1133964. [PMID: 36968483 PMCID: PMC10034029 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1133964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundPrevious research has found that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can improve working memory (WM) performance. It has also been shown that 0.1 Hz slow-paced breathing (SPB, i.e., breathing at a rate of approximately 6 breaths/min) can significantly influence physical state and cognitive function via changes in autonomic afferent activity. In the present study, we investigated the synergistic effects of taVNS and SPB on WM performance.MethodsA total of 96 healthy people participated in this within-subjects experiment involving four conditions, namely taVNS, SPB, combined taVNS with SPB (taVNS + SPB), and sham. Each participant underwent each intervention for 30 min and WM was compared pre- and post-intervention using the spatial and digit n-back tasks in a random order four times. Permutation-based analysis of variance was used to assess the interaction between time and intervention.ResultsFor the spatial 3-back task, a significant interaction between time and intervention was found for the accuracy rate of matching trials (mACC, p = 0.03). Post hoc analysis suggested that both taVNS and taVNS + SPB improved WM performance, however, no significant difference was found in the SPB or sham groups.ConclusionThis study has replicated the effects of taVNS on WM performance reported in previous studies. However, the synergistic effects of combined taVNS and SPB warrant further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Qian Tian
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chen Cheng
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Peng-Hui Liu
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zi-Xin Yin
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Meng-Kai Zhang
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ya-Peng Cui
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rui Zhao
- School of Electronics and Information, Xi’an Polytechnic University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Deng
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Guangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Li-Ming Lu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chun-Zhi Tang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Neng-Gui Xu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue-Juan Yang
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Guangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Xue-Juan Yang,
| | - Jin-Bo Sun
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Guangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- *Correspondence: Jin-Bo Sun,
| | - Wei Qin
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Guangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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Transcutaneous auricular vagus stimulation (taVNS) improves human working memory performance under sleep deprivation stress. Behav Brain Res 2023; 439:114247. [PMID: 36473677 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114247] [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: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Many human activities require high cognitive performance over long periods, while impairments induced by sleep deprivation influence various aspects of cognitive abilities, including working memory (WM), attention, and processing speed. Based on previous research, vagal nerve stimulation can modulate cognitive abilities, attention, and arousal. Two experiments were conducted to assess the efficacy of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to relieve the deleterious effects of sleep deprivation. In the first experiment, 35 participants completed N-back tasks at 8:00 a.m. for two consecutive days in a within-subject study. Then, the participants received either taVNS or earlobe stimulation (active control) intervention in two sessions at random orders after 24 h of sustained wakefulness. Then, they completed the N-back tasks again. In the second experiment, 30 participants completed the psychomotor vigilance task (PVT), and 32 completed the N-back tasks at 8:00 a.m. on the first and second days. Then, they received either taVNS or earlobe stimulation at random orders and finished the N-back and PVT tasks immediately after one hour. In Experiment 1, taVNS could significantly improve the accuracy rate of participants in spatial 3-back tasks compared to active control, which was consistent with experiment 2. However, taVNS did not specifically enhance PVT performance. Therefore, taVNS could be a powerful intervention for acute sleep deprivation as it can improve performance on high cognitive load tasks and is easy to administer.
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Domenech P. Stimulation du nerf vague pour traiter l’épilepsie et la dépression résistante : vers une physiopathologie commune ? BULLETIN DE L'ACADÉMIE NATIONALE DE MÉDECINE 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.banm.2023.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
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Altınkaya Z, Öztürk L, Büyükgüdük İ, Yanık H, Yılmaz DD, Yar B, Değirmenci E, Dal U, Veldhuizen MG. Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation in a hungry state decreases heart rate variability. Physiol Behav 2023; 258:114016. [PMID: 36334796 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.114016] [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: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Vagus nerve signals from the gut to brain carry information about nutrients and drive food reward. Such signals are disrupted by consuming large amounts of high-calorie foods, necessitating greater food intake to elicit a similar neural response. Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) via a branch innervating the ear is a candidate treatment for obesity in humans. There is disagreement on the optimal location of nVNS in the ear for experimental and clinical studies. There are also no studies comparing nVNS in hungry and post-prandial states. We aimed to compare ear position(s) for nVNS and explore the effects of nVNS during hungry and post-prandial states on proxies for autonomic outflow (heart-rate variability) and efferent metabolism (gastric wave frequency and resting energy expenditure). In a within-subject design, 14 participants (10 women, on average 29.4 +/- 6.7 years old) received nVNS in four different locations (cymba conchae, tragus, earlobe, or tragus AND cymba conchae) on separate days. In each session, participants were asked to consume a palatable chocolate flavored milk. With electrography on the abdomen and indirect calorimetry in a canopy, we measured electro-cardiogram, electro-gastrogram and resting energy expenditure for 15 min before and at least 35 min after consumption of the palatable drink. We also collected ratings of the palatable drink and internal and other states. Pre-drink consumption (in a hungry state) we observed no differences in the effect of location of acute nVNS on resting energy expenditure and gastric wave measures. However, nVNS in cymba conchae decreases heart-rate variability (relative to sham) and ratings of how much participants want to consume the drink (relative to tragus AND cymba conchae and a trend relative to sham). After drink consumption and with continued nVNS, gastric wave frequency is unchanged, and resting energy expenditure increases regardless of stimulation location. Heart-rate variability decreases in all locations, except cymba conchae. We also observe a trend for an increase in gastric wave amplitude in late post-drink consumption time-points in cymba conchae. We observe no support for the combined stimulation of tragus AND cymba conchae being more effective than either of the individual locations. These results suggest that nVNS in the cymba conchae in a hungry state has a similar acute effect on vagal tone as food consumption: to decrease heart rate variability. This effect then negates the usual postprandial effects of a decrease in heart rate variability as seen in the other nVNS locations. These preliminary observations suggest that nVNS in cymba conchae may act primarily on vagal afferent autonomic (and only modestly on metabolic output) in a similar way as food consumption does.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lina Öztürk
- Mersin University, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey
| | - İlkim Büyükgüdük
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Letters, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Yanık
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Dilan Deniz Yılmaz
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Berçem Yar
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Letters, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Evren Değirmenci
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey; Biotechnology Research and Applications Center, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Uğur Dal
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Maria Geraldine Veldhuizen
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Letters, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey; Biotechnology Research and Applications Center, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey; Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.
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13
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Deng S, Zhang Y, Xin Y, Hu X. Vagus nerve stimulation attenuates acute kidney injury induced by hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21662. [PMID: 36522408 PMCID: PMC9755310 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26231-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, caused by limited blood supply and subsequent blood supply, is a causative factor resulting in morbidity and mortality during liver transplantation and liver resection. Hepatic I/R injury frequently contributes to remote organ injury, such as kidney, lung, and heart. It has been demonstrated that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is effective in remote organ injury after I/R injury. Here, our aim is to investigate the potential action of VNS on hepatic I/R injury-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and explore its underlying mechanisms. To test this hypothesis, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three experimental groups: Sham group (sham operation, n = 6); I/R group (hepatic I/R with sham VNS, n = 6); and VNS group (hepatic I/R with VNS, n = 6). VNS was performed during the entire hepatic I/R process. Our results showed that throughout the hepatic I/R process, VNS significantly regulated the expression levels of various iconic factors and greatly enhanced the protein expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the kidneys. These findings suggested that VNS may ameliorate hepatic I/R injury-induced AKI by suppressing inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis probably through activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simin Deng
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011 Hunan China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011 Hunan China
| | - Ying Xin
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011 Hunan China
| | - Xinqun Hu
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011 Hunan China
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14
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Hanßen R, Schiweck C, Aichholzer M, Reif A, Edwin Thanarajah S. Food reward and its aberrations in obesity. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2022.101224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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15
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Marano M, Anzini G, Musumeci G, Magliozzi A, Pozzilli V, Capone F, Di Lazzaro V. Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Stimulation Improves Gait and Reaction Time in Parkinson's Disease. Mov Disord 2022; 37:2163-2164. [PMID: 35861362 PMCID: PMC9796229 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Marano
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology and NeurobiologyDepartment of Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio‐MedicoRomeItaly
| | - Gaia Anzini
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology and NeurobiologyDepartment of Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio‐MedicoRomeItaly
| | - Gabriella Musumeci
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology and NeurobiologyDepartment of Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio‐MedicoRomeItaly
| | - Alessandro Magliozzi
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology and NeurobiologyDepartment of Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio‐MedicoRomeItaly
| | - Valeria Pozzilli
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology and NeurobiologyDepartment of Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio‐MedicoRomeItaly
| | - Fioravante Capone
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology and NeurobiologyDepartment of Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio‐MedicoRomeItaly
| | - Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology and NeurobiologyDepartment of Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio‐MedicoRomeItaly
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16
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Ferstl M, Teckentrup V, Lin WM, Kräutlein F, Kühnel A, Klaus J, Walter M, Kroemer NB. Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation boosts mood recovery after effort exertion. Psychol Med 2022; 52:3029-3039. [PMID: 33586647 PMCID: PMC9693679 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720005073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mood plays an important role in our life which is illustrated by the disruptive impact of aberrant mood states in depression. Although vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been shown to improve symptoms of depression, the exact mechanism is still elusive, and it is an open question whether non-invasive VNS could be used to swiftly and robustly improve mood. METHODS Here, we investigated the effect of left- and right-sided transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS) v. a sham control condition on mood after the exertion of physical and cognitive effort in 82 healthy participants (randomized cross-over design) using linear mixed-effects and hierarchical Bayesian analyses of mood ratings. RESULTS We found that 90 min of either left-sided or right-sided taVNS improved positive mood [b = 5.11, 95% credible interval, CI (1.39-9.01), 9.6% improvement relative to the mood intercept, BF10 = 7.69, pLME = 0.017], yet only during the post-stimulation phase. Moreover, lower baseline scores of positive mood were associated with greater taVNS-induced improvements in motivation [r = -0.42, 95% CI (-0.58 to -0.21), BF10 = 249]. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that taVNS boosts mood after a prolonged period of effort exertion with concurrent stimulation and that acute motivational effects of taVNS are partly dependent on initial mood states. Collectively, our results show that taVNS may help quickly improve affect after a mood challenge, potentially by modulating interoceptive signals contributing to the reappraisal of effortful behavior. This suggests that taVNS could be a useful add-on to current behavioral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Ferstl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Teckentrup
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Wy Ming Lin
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Franziska Kräutlein
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anne Kühnel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 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
| | - Johannes Klaus
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
- Department of Behavioral Neurology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Nils B. Kroemer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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17
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Vagus nerve stimulation increases stomach-brain coupling via a vagal afferent pathway. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:1279-1289. [PMID: 36067977 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2022.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maintaining energy homeostasis is vital and supported by vagal signaling between digestive organs and the brain. Previous research has established a gastric network in the brain that is phase synchronized with the rhythm of the stomach, but tools to perturb its function were lacking. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether stomach-brain coupling can be acutely increased by non-invasively stimulating vagal afferent projections to the brain. METHODS Using a single-blind randomized crossover design, we investigated the effect of acute right-sided transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) versus sham stimulation on stomach-brain coupling. RESULTS In line with preclinical research, taVNS increased stomach-brain coupling in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and the midbrain while boosting coupling across the brain. Crucially, in the cortex, taVNS-induced changes in coupling occurred primarily in transmodal regions and were associated with changes in hunger ratings as indicators of the subjective metabolic state. CONCLUSIONS taVNS increases stomach-brain coupling via an NTS-midbrain pathway that signals gut-induced reward, indicating that communication between the brain and the body is effectively modulated by vago-vagal signaling. Such insights may help us better understand the role of vagal afferents in orchestrating the recruitment of the gastric network which could pave the way for novel neuromodulatory treatments.
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18
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Nayok SB, Sreeraj VS, Shivakumar V, Venkatasubramanian G. Understanding the interoception in schizophrenia through the window of Vagus Nerve Stimulation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 141:104844. [PMID: 36037979 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Swarna Buddha Nayok
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru 560029, Karnataka, India; Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru 560029, Karnataka, India.
| | - Vanteemar S Sreeraj
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Venkataram Shivakumar
- Department of Integrative Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Ganesan Venkatasubramanian
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru 560029, Karnataka, India; Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru 560029, Karnataka, India
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19
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Deng S, Zhang Y, Xin Y, Hu X. Vagus Nerve Stimulation Attenuates Acute Kidney Injury Induced by Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Suppressing Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis in Rats.. [DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1937916/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Hepatic ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury, caused by limited blood supply and subsequent blood supply, is a causative factor resulting in morbidity and mortality during liver transplantation (LT) and liver resection. Hepatic I/R injury frequently contributes to remote organ injury, such as kidney, lung, and heart. It has been demonstrated that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is effective in remote organ injury after ischemia reperfusion injury. Here, our aim is to investigate the potential action of VNS on hepatic I/R injury-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and explore its underlying mechanisms. To test this hypothesis, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three experimental groups: Sham group (sham operation, n=6); I/R group (hepatic I/R with sham VNS, n=6); and VNS group (hepatic I/R with VNS, n=6). VNS was performed during the entire hepatic I/R process. Our results showed that throughout the hepatic I/R process, VNS significantly reduced inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, and greatly enhanced the protein expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the kidneys. These findings suggest that VNS may ameliorate hepatic I/R injury-induced AKI by suppressing inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis probably through activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simin Deng
- Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University
| | - Ying Xin
- Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University
| | - Xinqun Hu
- Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University
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20
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Wide bandgap semiconductor nanomembranes as a long-term biointerface for flexible, implanted neuromodulator. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2203287119. [PMID: 35939711 PMCID: PMC9388084 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2203287119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrical neuron stimulation holds promise for treating chronic neurological disorders, including spinal cord injury, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease. The implementation of ultrathin, flexible electrodes that can offer noninvasive attachment to soft neural tissues is a breakthrough for timely, continuous, programable, and spatial stimulations. With strict flexibility requirements in neural implanted stimulations, the use of conventional thick and bulky packages is no longer applicable, posing major technical issues such as short device lifetime and long-term stability. We introduce herein a concept of long-lived flexible neural electrodes using silicon carbide (SiC) nanomembranes as a faradic interface and thermal oxide thin films as an electrical barrier layer. The SiC nanomembranes were developed using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process at the wafer level, and thermal oxide was grown using a high-quality wet oxidation technique. The proposed material developments are highly scalable and compatible with MEMS technologies, facilitating the mass production of long-lived implanted bioelectrodes. Our experimental results showed excellent stability of the SiC/silicon dioxide (SiO2) bioelectronic system that can potentially last for several decades with well-maintained electronic properties in biofluid environments. We demonstrated the capability of the proposed material system for peripheral nerve stimulation in an animal model, showing muscle contraction responses comparable to those of a standard non-implanted nerve stimulation device. The design concept, scalable fabrication approach, and multimodal functionalities of SiC/SiO2 flexible electronics offer an exciting possibility for fundamental neuroscience studies, as well as for neural stimulation-based therapies.
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21
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Zhao R, He ZY, Cheng C, Tian QQ, Cui YP, Chang MY, Wang FM, Kong Y, Deng H, Yang XJ, Sun JB. Assessing the Effect of Simultaneous Combining of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on the Improvement of Working Memory Performance in Healthy Individuals. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:947236. [PMID: 35928012 PMCID: PMC9344917 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.947236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A previous study found that combining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) could evoke significantly larger activation on a range of cortical and subcortical brain regions than the numerical summation of tDCS and taVNS effects. In this study, two within-subject experiments were employed to investigate its effects on working memory (WM). In experiment 1, the WM modulatory effects of tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), taVNS, and simultaneous joint simulation of tDCS over the left DLPFC and taVNS (SJS-L) were compared among 60 healthy subjects. They received these three interventions between the baseline test and post-test in a random manner three times. In spatial 3-back task, there was a significant interaction between time and stimulations in the accuracy rate of matching trials (mACC, p=0.018). MACCs were significantly improved by SJS (p = 0.001) and taVNS (p = 0.045), but not by tDCS (p = 0.495). Moreover, 41 subjects in the SJS group showed improvement, which was significantly larger than that in the taVNS group (29 subjects) and tDCS group (26 subjects). To further investigate the generalization effects of SJS, 72 students were recruited in experiment 2. They received tDCS over the right DLPFC, taVNS, simultaneous joint simulation of tDCS over the right DLPFC and taVNS (SJS-R), and sham stimulation in a random manner four times. No significant results were found, but there was a tendency similar to experiment 1 in the spatial 3-back task. In conclusion, combining tDCS and taVNS might be a potential non-invasive neuromodulation technique which is worthy of study in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhao
- School of Electronics and Information, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhao-Yang He
- School of Electronics and Information, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chen Cheng
- Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qian-Qian Tian
- Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ya-Peng Cui
- Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Meng-Ying Chang
- School of Electronics and Information, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fu-Min Wang
- School of Electronics and Information, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yao Kong
- School of Electronics and Information, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hui Deng
- Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- Guangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xue-Juan Yang
- Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- Guangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jin-Bo Sun
- Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- Guangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- *Correspondence: Jin-Bo Sun
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22
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Bowles S, Hickman J, Peng X, Williamson WR, Huang R, Washington K, Donegan D, Welle CG. Vagus nerve stimulation drives selective circuit modulation through cholinergic reinforcement. Neuron 2022; 110:2867-2885.e7. [PMID: 35858623 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a neuromodulation therapy for a broad and expanding set of neurologic conditions. However, the mechanism through which VNS influences central nervous system circuitry is not well described, limiting therapeutic optimization. VNS leads to widespread brain activation, but the effects on behavior are remarkably specific, indicating plasticity unique to behaviorally engaged neural circuits. To understand how VNS can lead to specific circuit modulation, we leveraged genetic tools including optogenetics and in vivo calcium imaging in mice learning a skilled reach task. We find that VNS enhances skilled motor learning in healthy animals via a cholinergic reinforcement mechanism, producing a rapid consolidation of an expert reach trajectory. In primary motor cortex (M1), VNS drives precise temporal modulation of neurons that respond to behavioral outcome. This suggests that VNS may accelerate motor refinement in M1 via cholinergic signaling, opening new avenues for optimizing VNS to target specific disease-relevant circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer Bowles
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Jordan Hickman
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Peng
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - W Ryan Williamson
- IDEA Core, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Rongchen Huang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kayden Washington
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Dane Donegan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Cristin G Welle
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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23
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Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation in epilepsy patients enhances cooperative behavior in the prisoner's dilemma task. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10255. [PMID: 35715460 PMCID: PMC9205877 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14237-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The vagus nerve constitutes a key link between the autonomic and the central nervous system. Previous studies provide evidence for the impact of vagal activity on distinct cognitive processes including functions related to social cognition. Recent studies in animals and humans show that vagus nerve stimulation is associated with enhanced reward-seeking and dopamine-release in the brain. Social interaction recruits similar brain circuits to reward processing. We hypothesize that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) boosts rewarding aspects of social behavior and compare the impact of transcutaneous VNS (tVNS) and sham stimulation on social interaction in 19 epilepsy patients in a double-blind pseudo-randomized study with cross-over design. Using a well-established paradigm, i.e., the prisoner’s dilemma, we investigate effects of stimulation on cooperative behavior, as well as interactions of stimulation effects with patient characteristics. A repeated-measures ANOVA and a linear mixed-effects model provide converging evidence that tVNS boosts cooperation. Post-hoc correlations reveal that this effect varies as a function of neuroticism, a personality trait linked to the dopaminergic system. Behavioral modeling indicates that tVNS induces a behavioral starting bias towards cooperation, which is independent of the decision process. This study provides evidence for the causal influence of vagus nerve activity on social interaction.
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24
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Johnson KVA, Steenbergen L. Gut feelings: vagal stimulation reduces emotional biases. Neuroscience 2022; 494:119-131. [PMID: 35550161 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The vagus nerve is a key physical constituent of the gut-brain axis. Increasing attention has recently been paid to the role that the gut, and the microorganisms inhabiting it, play in emotion and cognition. Animal studies have revealed the importance of the vagus nerve in mediating communication between the gut microbiome and the central nervous system, resulting in changes in emotional behaviour. This has renewed interest in understanding the role of vagal signalling in human emotion, particularly since human studies have also shown that alterations in gut microbiome composition can affect emotion. While stimulating the vagus nerve can help treat some cases of severe depression, here we investigate whether vagal afferent signalling can influence emotional processing in healthy subjects. We use the dot-probe task to determine the effect of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on attentional biases towards emotional stimuli in 42 volunteers. Participants received both active and sham treatments using a within-subject design. We show that transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation reduces the emotional bias towards faces expressing sadness and happiness, indicating a decrease in emotional reactivity. While our novel findings reveal the effect that vagal signalling can have on emotional biases in healthy subjects, future studies should seek to develop our understanding of the ways in which the microbiome interacts with, and stimulates, the vagus nerve. Since we find a reduction in emotional bias, most notably towards sadness, this may partly account for the effective use of vagus nerve stimulation in treatment-resistant depression. While its clinical application currently involves surgical stimulation, our results support the potential benefit of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation as a non-invasive, intermittent adjunctive therapy for patients with depression given its frequent association with emotional biases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina V A Johnson
- Leiden University, Institute of Psychology, Clinical Psychology Unit, Leiden 2333 AK, The Netherlands.
| | - Laura Steenbergen
- Leiden University, Institute of Psychology, Clinical Psychology Unit, Leiden 2333 AK, The Netherlands
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25
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David M, Malhotra PA. New approaches for the quantification and targeting of noradrenergic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2022; 9:582-596. [PMID: 35293158 PMCID: PMC8994981 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There is clear, early noradrenergic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. This is likely secondary to pathological tau deposition in the locus coeruleus, the pontine nucleus that produces and releases noradrenaline, prior to involvement of cortical brain regions. Disruption of noradrenergic pathways affects cognition, especially attention, impacting memory and broader functioning. Additionally, it leads to autonomic and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Despite the strong evidence of noradrenergic involvement in Alzheimer's, there are no clear trial data supporting the clinical use of any noradrenergic treatments. Several approaches have been tried, including proof-of-principle studies and (mostly small scale) randomised controlled trials. Treatments have included pharmacotherapies as well as stimulation. The lack of clear positive findings is likely secondary to limitations in gauging locus coeruleus integrity and dysfunction at an individual level. However, the recent development of several novel biomarkers holds potential and should allow quantification of dysfunction. This may then inform inclusion criteria and stratification for future trials. Imaging approaches have improved greatly following the development of neuromelanin-sensitive sequences, enabling the use of structural MRI to estimate locus coeruleus integrity. Additionally, functional MRI scanning has the potential to quantify network dysfunction. As well as neuroimaging, EEG, fluid biomarkers and pupillometry techniques may prove useful in assessing noradrenergic tone. Here, we review the development of these biomarkers and how they might augment clinical studies, particularly randomised trials, through identification of patients most likely to benefit from treatment. We outline the biomarkers with most potential, and how they may transform symptomatic therapy for people living with Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael David
- Imperial College London and the University of SurreyUK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology CentreSir Michael Uren Hub, 86 Wood LaneLondonW12 0BZUK
- Imperial College London, Brain SciencesSouth KensingtonLondonSW7 2AZUK
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Clinical NeurosciencesCharing Cross HospitalLondonW2 1NYUK
| | - Paresh A. Malhotra
- Imperial College London and the University of SurreyUK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology CentreSir Michael Uren Hub, 86 Wood LaneLondonW12 0BZUK
- Imperial College London, Brain SciencesSouth KensingtonLondonSW7 2AZUK
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Clinical NeurosciencesCharing Cross HospitalLondonW2 1NYUK
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26
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Sun JB, Cheng C, Tian QQ, Yuan H, Yang XJ, Deng H, Guo XY, Cui YP, Zhang MK, Yin ZX, Wang C, Qin W. Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Improves Spatial Working Memory in Healthy Young Adults. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:790793. [PMID: 35002607 PMCID: PMC8733384 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.790793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Working memory (WM) is one of the core components of higher cognitive functions. There exists debate regarding the extent to which current techniques can enhance human WM capacity. Here, we examined the WM modulation effects of a previously less studied technique, transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). In experiment 1, a within-subject study, we aimed to investigate whether and which stimulation protocols of taVNS can modulate spatial WM performance in healthy adults. Forty-eight participants performed baseline spatial n-back tasks (1, 3-back) and then received online taVNS, offline taVNS, or sham stimulation before or during (online group) the posttest of spatial n-back tasks in random order. Results showed that offline taVNS could significantly increase hits in spatial 3-back task, whereas no effect was found in online taVNS or sham group. No significant taVNS effects were found on correct rejections or reaction time of accurate trials (aRT) in both online and offline protocols. To replicate the results found in experiment 1 and further investigate the generalization effect of offline taVNS, we carried out experiment 2. Sixty participants were recruited and received offline taVNS or offline earlobe stimulation in random order between baseline and posttests of behavioral tests (spatial/digit 3-back tasks). Results replicated the findings; offline taVNS could improve hits but not correct rejections or aRT in spatial WM performance, which were found in experiment 1. However, there were no significant stimulation effects on digit 3-back task. Overall, the findings suggest that offline taVNS has potential on modulating WM performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Bo Sun
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China.,Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chen Cheng
- Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qian-Qian Tian
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hang Yuan
- Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xue-Juan Yang
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China.,Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hui Deng
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China.,Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Guo
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ya-Peng Cui
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Meng-Kai Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zi-Xin Yin
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wei Qin
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China.,Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
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27
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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: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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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28
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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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29
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Riva G, Serino S, Di Lernia D, Pagnini F. Regenerative Virtual Therapy: The Use of Multisensory Technologies and Mindful Attention for Updating the Altered Representations of the Bodily Self. Front Syst Neurosci 2021; 15:749268. [PMID: 34803617 PMCID: PMC8595209 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2021.749268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The term “regenerative medicine” (RM) indicates an emerging trend in biomedical sciences that aims at replacing, engineering, or regenerating human cells, tissues, or organs to restore or establish normal function. So far, the focus of RM has been the physical body. Neuroscience, however, is now suggesting that mental disorders can be broadly characterized by a dysfunction in the way the brain computes and integrates the representations of the inner and outer body across time [bodily self-consciousness (BSC)]. In this perspective, we proposed a new kind of clinical intervention, i.e., “Regenerative Virtual Therapy” (RVT), which integrates knowledge from different disciplines, from neuroscience to computational psychiatry, to regenerate a distorted or faulty BSC. The main goal of RVT was to use technology-based somatic modification techniques to restructure the maladaptive bodily representations behind a pathological condition. Specifically, starting from a Bayesian model of our BSC (i.e., body matrix), we suggested the use of mindful attention, cognitive reappraisal, and brain stimulation techniques merged with high-rewarding and novel synthetic multisensory bodily experience (i.e., a virtual reality full-body illusion in sync with a low predictabIlity interoceptive modulation) to rewrite a faulty experience of the body and to regenerate the wellbeing of an individual. The use of RVT will also offer an unprecedented experimental overview of the dynamics of our bodily representations, allowing the reverse-engineering of their functioning for hacking them using advanced technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Riva
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.,Humane Technology Laboratory, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy.,Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Serino
- Humane Technology Laboratory, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy.,Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Di Lernia
- Humane Technology Laboratory, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy.,Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Pagnini
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy.,Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
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30
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Acute vagus nerve stimulation does not affect liking or wanting ratings of food in healthy participants. Appetite 2021; 169:105813. [PMID: 34798227 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The vagus nerve plays a vital role in the regulation of food intake and vagal afferent signals may help regulate food cue reactivity by providing negative homeostatic feedback. Despite strong evidence from preclinical studies on vagal afferent "satiety" signals in guiding food intake, evidence from human studies is largely inconclusive to date. Here, we investigated the acute effects of left or right transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on subjective ratings of wanting and liking of various food and non-food items in 82 healthy participants (46 women, MBMI = 23.1 kg/m2). In contrast to previous reports in patients with depression, we found moderate to anecdotal evidence supporting the absence of taVNS-induced changes in food ratings. To test whether the absence of taVNS effects on food ratings is due to heterogeneity in the sample, we conducted post hoc subgroup analyses by splitting the data according to stimulation side and sex (between-subject factors) as well as caloric density, perceived healthiness, and flavor (sweet vs. savory) of the food (within-subject factors). This multiverse analysis largely supported the absence of taVNS-induced changes since the strongest subgroup effects provided only anecdotal evidence in favor of taVNS-induced changes. We conclude that acute taVNS only has a marginal effect on subjective ratings of food, suggesting that it is an unlikely mechanism for the reported long-term effects of VNS on body weight. In light of an absence of acute taVNS effects on conscious food liking and wanting, our results call for future research on the correspondence between acute and chronic effects of vagal afferent stimulation.
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31
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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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32
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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: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [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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33
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Plassmann H, Schelski DS, Simon MC, Koban L. How we decide what to eat: Toward an interdisciplinary model of gut-brain interactions. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. COGNITIVE SCIENCE 2021; 13:e1562. [PMID: 33977675 PMCID: PMC9286667 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.1562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Everyday dietary decisions have important short‐term and long‐term consequences for health and well‐being. How do we decide what to eat, and what physiological and neurobiological systems are involved in those decisions? Here, we integrate findings from thus‐far separate literatures: (a) the cognitive neuroscience of dietary decision‐making, and (b) growing evidence of gut–brain interactions and especially influences of the gut microbiome on diet and health outcomes. We review findings that suggest that dietary decisions and food consumption influence nutrient sensing, homeostatic signaling in the gut, and the composition of the gut microbiome. In turn, the microbiome can influence host health and behavior. Through reward signaling pathways, the microbiome could potentially affect food and drink decisions. Such bidirectional links between gut microbiome and the brain systems underlying dietary decision‐making may lead to self‐reinforcing feedback loops that determine long‐term dietary patterns, body mass, and health outcomes. This article is categorized under:Economics > Individual Decision‐Making Psychology > Brain Function and Dysfunction Psychology > Reasoning and Decision Making
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilke Plassmann
- Marketing Area, INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France.,Paris Brain Institute (ICM), INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Daniela Stephanie Schelski
- Center for Economics and Neuroscience, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marie-Christine Simon
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Science (IEL), Nutrition and Microbiota, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Leonie Koban
- Marketing Area, INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France.,Paris Brain Institute (ICM), INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
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34
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Weber I, Niehaus H, Krause K, Molitor L, Peper M, Schmidt L, Hakel L, Timmermann L, Menzler K, Knake S, Oehrn CR. Trust your gut: vagal nerve stimulation in humans improves reinforcement learning. Brain Commun 2021; 3:fcab039. [PMID: 33928247 PMCID: PMC8066886 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcab039] [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: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Whereas the effect of vagal nerve stimulation on emotional states is well established, its effect on cognitive functions is still unclear. Recent rodent studies show that vagal activation enhances reinforcement learning and neuronal dopamine release. The influence of vagal nerve stimulation on reinforcement learning in humans is still unknown. Here, we studied the effect of transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation on reinforcement learning in eight long-standing seizure-free epilepsy patients, using a well-established forced-choice reward-based paradigm in a cross-sectional, within-subject study design. We investigated vagal nerve stimulation effects on overall accuracy using non-parametric cluster-based permutation tests. Furthermore, we modelled sub-components of the decision process using drift-diffusion modelling. We found higher accuracies in the vagal nerve stimulation condition compared to sham stimulation. Modelling suggests a stimulation-dependent increase in reward sensitivity and shift of accuracy-speed trade-offs towards maximizing rewards. Moreover, vagal nerve stimulation was associated with increased non-decision times suggesting enhanced sensory or attentional processes. No differences of starting bias were detected for both conditions. Accuracies in the extinction phase were higher in later trials of the vagal nerve stimulation condition, suggesting a perseverative effect compared to sham. Together, our results provide first evidence of causal vagal influence on human reinforcement learning and might have clinical implications for the usage of vagal stimulation in learning deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Immo Weber
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Hauke Niehaus
- Faculty of Psychology, Neuropsychology Section, Philipps-University Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany.,Faculty of Psychology, Theoretical Neuroscience Section, Philipps-University Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Kristina Krause
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Philipps-University Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center Hessen, Philipps University, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Lena Molitor
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Martin Peper
- Faculty of Psychology, Neuropsychology Section, Philipps-University Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Philipps-University Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Laura Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Hakel
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Lars Timmermann
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Philipps-University Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Katja Menzler
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Philipps-University Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center Hessen, Philipps University, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Knake
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Philipps-University Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center Hessen, Philipps University, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Carina R Oehrn
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Philipps-University Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center Hessen, Philipps University, 35043 Marburg, Germany
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35
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Butler AG, O'Callaghan EL, Allen AM, McDougall SJ. Use of a physiological reflex to standardize vagal nerve stimulation intensity improves data reproducibility in a memory extinction assay. Brain Stimul 2021; 14:450-459. [PMID: 33647477 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Modulating brainstem activity, via electrical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), influences cognitive functions, including memory. However, controlling for changes in stimulus efficacy during chronic studies, and response variability between subjects, is problematic. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS We hypothesized that recruitment of an autonomic reflex, the Hering-Breuer reflex, would provide robust confirmation of VNS efficacy. We compared this to measurement of electrode resistance over time. We also examined whether VNS modulates contextual memory extinction. METHODS Electrodes for VNS and diaphragm electromyography recording were implanted into anesthetized Sprague Dawley rats. When conscious, we measured the electrode resistance as well as the minimum VNS current required to evoke the Hering-Breuer reflex, before, and after, an inhibitory avoidance assay - a two chamber, dark/light model, where the dark compartment was paired with an aversive foot shock. The extinction of this contextual memory was assessed in sham and VNS treated rats, with VNS administered for 30 s at 1.5 times the Hering-Breuer reflex threshold during extinction memory formation. RESULTS Assessment of VNS-evoked Hering-Breuer reflex successfully identified defective electrodes. VNS accelerated extinction memory and decreased multiple physiological metrics of fear expression. We observed an inverse relationship between memory extinction and respiratory rate during the behavioural assay. Additionally, no current - response relationship between VNS and extinction memory formation was established. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that reliable, experimental VNS studies can be produced by verifying reflex initiation as a consequence of stimulation. Further, studies could be standardised by indexing stimulator efficacy to initiation of autonomic reflexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Butler
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Erin L O'Callaghan
- Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Allen M Allen
- Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Stuart J McDougall
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Sun JB, Tian QQ, Yang XJ, Deng H, Li N, Meng LX, Zhao ZX, Zhu YQ, Xi YB, Yang Q, Qin W. Synergistic effects of simultaneous transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on the brain responses. Brain Stimul 2021; 14:417-419. [PMID: 33621676 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Bo Sun
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710126, China
| | - Qian-Qian Tian
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710126, China
| | - Xue-Juan Yang
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710126, China
| | - Hui Deng
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710126, China
| | - Nan Li
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710126, China
| | - Ling-Xia Meng
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710126, China
| | - Zi-Xuan Zhao
- Computer Science Major (Bioinformatics Specialization), Faculty of Mathematics, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Yuan-Qiang Zhu
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, The Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Yi-Bin Xi
- Department of Radiology, Xi'an People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710004, China
| | - Qun Yang
- Department of Medical Psychology, The Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Wei Qin
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710126, China.
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37
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Keute M, Machetanz K, Berelidze L, Guggenberger R, Gharabaghi A. Neuro-cardiac coupling predicts transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation effects. Brain Stimul 2021; 14:209-216. [PMID: 33422683 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcutaneous auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that may constitute an effective treatment for a wide range of neurological, psychiatric, and medical conditions. One key challenge in taVNS research is the high interindividual response variability. To gain an understanding of this variability, reliable biomarkers for taVNS responsiveness would be highly desirable. In this study, we investigated physiological candidate biomarkers while systematically varying stimulation conditions and observing physiological state characteristics. METHODS Forty-four healthy young adults received taVNS and sham-stimulation. Subjects were pseudo-randomly assigned to stimulation of the left or right ear. Each subject underwent six blocks of stimulation. Across blocks, respiration-locking (inhalation-locked taVNS vs. exhalation-locked taVNS vs. sham) and the electrode location (tragus vs. cymba conchae) were varied. We analyzed heart rate (HR), various heart rate variability (HRV) scores, and neuro-cardiac coupling (NCC), indexed by the relationship between electroencephalographic delta power and heartbeat length. RESULTS We observed an effect of taVNS on HR and HRV scores during, but not after stimulation. The direction of the effects was consistent with parasympathetic activation. We did not observe any systematic influence of the stimulation conditions that we varied. However, we found baseline NCC scores to be significant predictors for the individual effect of taVNS on HRV scores. CONCLUSION Cardiac effects of taVNS indicate parasympathetic activation. These effects were short lived, which might explain that some previous studies were unable to detect them. We propose NCC as a novel candidate biomarker for responsiveness to taVNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Keute
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, Department of Neurosurgery and Neurotechnology, And Tuebingen NeuroCampus, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Kathrin Machetanz
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, Department of Neurosurgery and Neurotechnology, And Tuebingen NeuroCampus, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Levan Berelidze
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, Department of Neurosurgery and Neurotechnology, And Tuebingen NeuroCampus, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Robert Guggenberger
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, Department of Neurosurgery and Neurotechnology, And Tuebingen NeuroCampus, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Alireza Gharabaghi
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, Department of Neurosurgery and Neurotechnology, And Tuebingen NeuroCampus, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
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38
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van den Hoek Ostende MM, Neuser MP, Teckentrup V, Svaldi J, Kroemer NB. Can't decide how much to EAT? Effort variability for reward is associated with cognitive restraint. Appetite 2020; 159:105067. [PMID: 33307115 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2020.105067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Food intake is inherently variable and often characterized by episodical restraint or overeating (uncontrolled eating). Such heightened variability in intake has been associated with higher variability in the brain response to food reward, but it is an open issue whether comparable associations with elevated variability in reward seeking exist. Here, we assessed whether restraint and uncontrolled eating as markers of trait-like variability in eating are associated with higher intra-individual variability in reward seeking as captured by a cost-benefit paradigm. To test this hypothesis, 81 healthy, overnight-fasting participants (MBMI = 23.0 kg/m2 ± 3.0) completed an effort allocation task (EAT) twice. In the EAT, participants had to exert physical effort to earn monetary and food rewards and indicated levels of wanting through visual analog scales (VAS). As predicted, we found that greater trial-by-trial effort variability was associated with lower scores on cognitive restraint, rp(78) = -0.28, p = .011 (controlled for average effort). In line with previous findings, higher wanting variability was associated with higher BMI, rp(78) = 0.25, p = .026 (controlled for average effort). Collectively, our results support the idea that higher variability in reward seeking is a potential risk factor for eating beyond homeostatic need. Since associations with variability measures of reward exceeded associations with average reward seeking, our findings may indicate that variability in the representation of the reward value could be a crucial aspect driving fluctuations in food intake.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Monja P Neuser
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Teckentrup
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jennifer Svaldi
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Schleichstraße 4, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nils B Kroemer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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39
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Öztürk L, Büning PE, Frangos E, de Lartigue G, Veldhuizen MG. tVNS Increases Liking of Orally Sampled Low-Fat Foods: A Pilot Study. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:600995. [PMID: 33328943 PMCID: PMC7731579 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.600995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently a role for the vagus nerve in conditioning food preferences was established in rodents. In a prospective controlled clinical trial in humans, invasive vagus nerve stimulation shifted food choice toward lower fat content. Here we explored whether hedonic aspects of an orally sampled food stimulus can be modulated by non-invasive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) in humans. In healthy participants (n = 10, five women, 20-32 years old, no obesity) we tested liking and wanting ratings of food samples with varying fat or sugar content with or without tVNS in a sham-controlled within-participants design. To determine effects of tVNS on food intake, we also measured voluntary consumption of milkshake. Spontaneous eye blink rate was measured as a proxy for dopamine tone. Liking of low-fat, but not high-fat puddings, was higher for tVNS relative to sham stimulation. Other outcomes showed no differences. These findings support a role for the vagus nerve promoting post-ingestive reward signals. Our results suggest that tVNS may be used to increase liking of low-calorie foods, which may support healthier food choices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Öztürk
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Pia Elisa Büning
- The John B. Pierce Laboratory, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Eleni Frangos
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Guillaume de Lartigue
- The John B. Pierce Laboratory, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Integrative Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Maria G. Veldhuizen
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
- The John B. Pierce Laboratory, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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40
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Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Humans Induces Pupil Dilation and Attenuates Alpha Oscillations. J Neurosci 2020; 41:320-330. [PMID: 33214317 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1361-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is widely used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy and depression. While the precise mechanisms mediating its long-term therapeutic effects are not fully resolved, they likely involve locus coeruleus (LC) stimulation via the nucleus of the solitary tract, which receives afferent vagal inputs. In rats, VNS elevates LC firing and forebrain noradrenaline levels, whereas LC lesions suppress VNS therapeutic efficacy. Noninvasive transcutaneous VNS (tVNS) uses electrical stimulation that targets the auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the cymba conchae of the ear. However, the extent to which tVNS mimics VNS remains unclear. Here, we investigated the short-term effects of tVNS in healthy human male volunteers (n = 24), using high-density EEG and pupillometry during visual fixation at rest. We compared short (3.4 s) trials of tVNS to sham electrical stimulation at the earlobe (far from the vagus nerve branch) to control for somatosensory stimulation. Although tVNS and sham stimulation did not differ in subjective intensity ratings, tVNS led to robust pupil dilation (peaking 4-5 s after trial onset) that was significantly higher than following sham stimulation. We further quantified, using parallel factor analysis, how tVNS modulates idle occipital alpha (8-13Hz) activity identified in each participant. We found greater attenuation of alpha oscillations by tVNS than by sham stimulation. This demonstrates that tVNS reliably induces pupillary and EEG markers of arousal beyond the effects of somatosensory stimulation, thus supporting the hypothesis that tVNS elevates noradrenaline and other arousal-promoting neuromodulatory signaling, and mimics invasive VNS.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Current noninvasive brain stimulation techniques are mostly confined to modulating cortical activity, as is typical with transcranial magnetic or transcranial direct/alternating current electrical stimulation. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) has been proposed to stimulate subcortical arousal-promoting nuclei, though previous studies yielded inconsistent results. Here we show that short (3.4 s) tVNS pulses in naive healthy male volunteers induced transient pupil dilation and attenuation of occipital alpha oscillations. These markers of brain arousal are in line with the established effects of invasive VNS on locus coeruleus-noradrenaline signaling, and support that tVNS mimics VNS. Therefore, tVNS can be used as a tool for studying how endogenous subcortical neuromodulatory signaling affects human cognition, including perception, attention, memory, and decision-making; and also for developing novel clinical applications.
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