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Markser A, Vöckel J, Schneider A, Baumeister-Lingens L, Sigrist C, Koenig J. Non-invasive brain stimulation for post-COVID-19 conditions: a systematic review. Am J Med 2024:S0002-9343(24)00468-6. [PMID: 39089436 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2024.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Alongside the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, the number of patients with persistent symptoms following acute infection with SARS-CoV-2 is of concern. It is estimated that at least 65 million people worldwide meet criteria for what the World Health Organization (WHO) defines as "post-COVID-19 condition" - a multisystem disease comprising a wide range of symptoms. Effective treatments are lacking. In the present review, we aim to summarize the current evidence for the effectiveness of non-invasive or minimally invasive brain stimulation techniques in reducing symptoms of post-COVID-19. A total of nineteen studies were identified, one using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS), another using transorbital alternating current stimulation (toACS), six studies on transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and eleven studies on transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for the treatment of post-COVID-19 symptoms. Existing studies report first promising results, illustrating improvement in clinical outcome parameters. Yet, the mechanistic understanding of post-COVID-19 and how brain stimulation techniques may be benefitial are limited. Directions for future research in the field are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Markser
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jasper Vöckel
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexa Schneider
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
| | - Luise Baumeister-Lingens
- 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
| | - Julian Koenig
- 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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2
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Tovbis D, Yoo PB. Vagus nerve stimulation in bursts can efficiently modulate gastric contractions and contraction frequency at varying gastric pressures. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2024; 36:e14815. [PMID: 38735698 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There has been recent clinical interest in the use of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for treating gastrointestinal disorders as an alternative to drugs or gastric electrical stimulation. However, effectiveness of burst stimulation has not been demonstrated. We investigated the ability of bursting and continuous VNS to influence gastric and pyloric activity under a range of stimulation parameters and gastric pressures. The goals of this study were to determine which parameters could optimally excite or inhibit gastric activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data were collected from 21 Sprague-Dawley rats. Under urethane anesthesia, a rubber balloon was implanted into the stomach, connected to a pressure transducer and a saline infusion pump. A pressure catheter was inserted at the pyloric sphincter and a bipolar nerve cuff was implanted onto the left cervical vagus nerve. The balloon was filled to 15 cmH2O. Stimulation trials were conducted in a consistent order; the protocol was then repeated at 25 and 35 cmH2O. The nerve was then transected and stimulation repeated to investigate directionality of effects. RESULTS Bursting stimulation at the bradycardia threshold caused significant increases in gastric contraction amplitude with entrainment to the bursting frequency. Some continuous stimulation trials could also cause increased contractions but without frequency changes. Few significant changes were observed at the pylorus, except for frequency entrainment. These effects could not be uniquely attributed to afferent or efferent activity. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings further elucidate the effects of different VNS parameters on the stomach and pylorus and provide a basis for future studies of bursting stimulation for gastric neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Tovbis
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - P B Yoo
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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3
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Abdullahi A, Etoom M, Badaru UM, Elibol N, Abuelsamen AA, Alawneh A, Zakari UU, Saeys W, Truijen S. Vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of epilepsy: things to note on the protocols, the effects and the mechanisms of action. Int J Neurosci 2024; 134:560-569. [PMID: 36120993 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2022.2126776] [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: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder that is characterized by repetitive un-triggered seizures that occur severally within 24 h or more. Non-pharmacological methods for the management of epilepsy were discussed. The non-pharmacological methods include the vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) which is subdivided into invasive and non-invasive techniques. For the non-invasive techniques, the auricular VNS, stimulation of the cervical branch of vagus nerve in the neck, manual massage of the neck, and respiratory vagal nerve stimulation were discussed. Similarly, the stimulation parameters used and the mechanisms of actions through which VNS improves seizures were also discussed. Use of VNS to reduce seizure frequency has come a long way. However, considering the cost and side effects of the invasive method, non-invasive techniques should be given a renewed attention. In particular, respiratory vagal nerve stimulation should be considered. In doing this, the patients should for instance carry out slow-deep breathing exercise 6 to 8 times every 3 h during the waking hours. Slow-deep breathing can be carried out by the patients on their own; therefore this can serve as a form of self-management.HIGHLIGHTSEpilepsy can interfere with the patients' ability to carry out their daily activities and ultimately affect their quality of life.Medications are used to manage epilepsy; but they often have their serious side effects.Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is gaining ground especially in the management of refractory epilepsy.The VNS is administered through either the invasive or the non-invasive methodsThe invasive method of VNS like the medication has potential side effects, and can be costly.The non-invasive method includes auricular VNS, stimulation of the neck muscles and skin and respiratory vagal nerve stimulation via slow-deep breathing exercises.The respiratory vagal nerve stimulation via slow-deep breathing exercises seems easy to administer even by the patients themselves.Consequently, it is our opinion that patients with epilepsy be made to carry out slow-deep breathing exercise 6-8 times every 3 h during the waking hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auwal Abdullahi
- Department of Physiotherapy, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mohammad Etoom
- Department of Physiotherapy, Aqaba University of Technology, Aqaba, Jordan
| | | | - Nuray Elibol
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Anoud Alawneh
- Department of Physiotherapy, Aqaba University of Technology, Aqaba, Jordan
| | - Usman Usman Zakari
- Department of Physiotherapy, Federal Medical Center, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State, Nigeria
| | - Wim Saeys
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Steven Truijen
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Horinouchi T, Nezu T, Saita K, Date S, Kurumadani H, Maruyama H, Kirimoto H. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation enhances short-latency afferent inhibition via central cholinergic system activation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11224. [PMID: 38755234 PMCID: PMC11099104 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61958-8] [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: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The present study examined the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI), as indirect biomarker of cholinergic system activation. 24 healthy adults underwent intermittent taVNS (30 s on/30 s off, 30 min) or continuous taVNS at a frequency of 25 Hz (15 min) along with earlobe temporary stimulation (15 min or 30 min) were performed in random order. The efficiency with which the motor evoked potential from the abductor pollicis brevis muscle by transcranial magnetic stimulation was attenuated by the preceding median nerve conditioning stimulus was compared before taVNS, immediately after taVNS, and 15 min after taVNS. Continuous taVNS significantly increased SAI at 15 min post-stimulation compared to baseline. A positive correlation (Pearson coefficient = 0.563, p = 0.004) was observed between baseline SAI and changes after continuous taVNS. These results suggest that 15 min of continuous taVNS increases the activity of the cholinergic nervous system, as evidenced by the increase in SAI. In particular, the increase after taVNS was more pronounced in those with lower initial SAI. This study provides fundamental insight into the clinical potential of taVNS for cholinergic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Horinouchi
- Department of Sensorimotor Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Nezu
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan.
| | - Kazuya Saita
- Department of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shota Date
- Department of Analysis and Control of Upper Extremity Function, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kurumadani
- Department of Analysis and Control of Upper Extremity Function, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Maruyama
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Hikari Kirimoto
- Department of Sensorimotor Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan.
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RoaFiore L, Meyer T, Peixoto T, Irazoqui P. Label-Free Functional Imaging of Vagus Nerve Stimulation-Evoked Potentials at the Cortical Surface. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4295137. [PMID: 38746403 PMCID: PMC11092866 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4295137/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) was the first FDA-approved stimulation therapy to treat patients with refractory epilepsy and remains widely used. The mechanisms behind the therapeutic effect of VNS remain unknown but are thought to involve afferent-mediated modulation to cortical circuits 1. In this work, we use a coherent holographic imaging system to characterize vagus nerve evoked potentials (VEPs) in the cortex in response to typical VNS stimulation paradigms, which does not require electrode placement nor any genetic, structural, or functional labels. We find that stimulation amplitude strongly modulates VEPs response magnitude (effect size 0.401), while pulse width has a moderate modulatory effect (effect size 0.127) and frequency has almost no modulatory effect (effect size 0.009) on the evoked potential magnitude. We find mild interaction between pulse width and frequency. This non-contact label-free functional imaging technique could serve as a non-invasive rapid feedback tool to quantify VEPs and could increase the efficacy of VNS in patients with refractory epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura RoaFiore
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Trevor Meyer
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thaissa Peixoto
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pedro Irazoqui
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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6
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Mao X, Chang YC, Zanos S, Lajoie G. Personalized inference for neurostimulation with meta-learning: a case study of vagus nerve stimulation. J Neural Eng 2024; 21:016004. [PMID: 38131193 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ad17f4] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Objective. Neurostimulation is emerging as treatment for several diseases of the brain and peripheral organs. Due to variability arising from placement of stimulation devices, underlying neuroanatomy and physiological responses to stimulation, it is essential that neurostimulation protocols are personalized to maximize efficacy and safety. Building such personalized protocols would benefit from accumulated information in increasingly large datasets of other individuals' responses.Approach. To address that need, we propose a meta-learning family of algorithms to conduct few-shot optimization of key fitting parameters of physiological and neural responses in new individuals. While our method is agnostic to neurostimulation setting, here we demonstrate its effectiveness on the problem of physiological modeling of fiber recruitment during vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). Using data from acute VNS experiments, the mapping between amplitudes of stimulus-evoked compound action potentials (eCAPs) and physiological responses, such as heart rate and breathing interval modulation, is inferred.Main results. Using additional synthetic data sets to complement experimental results, we demonstrate that our meta-learning framework is capable of directly modeling the physiology-eCAP relationship for individual subjects with much fewer individually queried data points than standard methods.Significance. Our meta-learning framework is general and can be adapted to many input-response neurostimulation mapping problems. Moreover, this method leverages information from growing data sets of past patients, as a treatment is deployed. It can also be combined with several model types, including regression, Gaussian processes with Bayesian optimization, and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximeng Mao
- Mila-Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, 6666 St-Urbain, Montréal, QC H2S 3H1, Canada
- Department of Computer Science and Operations Research, University of Montréal, 2920 chemin de la Tour, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Yao-Chuan Chang
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY 11030, United States of America
- Medtronic, 710 Medtronic Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55432, United States of America
| | - Stavros Zanos
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY 11030, United States of America
| | - Guillaume Lajoie
- Mila-Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, 6666 St-Urbain, Montréal, QC H2S 3H1, Canada
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Montréal, 2920 chemin de la Tour, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Canada CIFAR AI Chair, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
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7
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Toprani S, Durand DM. Mechanisms of Neurostimulation for Epilepsy. Epilepsy Curr 2023; 23:298-302. [PMID: 37901784 PMCID: PMC10601041 DOI: 10.1177/15357597231191887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
This review discusses the use of neurostimulation therapies for epilepsy treatment, including vagal nerve stimulation, responsive neurostimulation, and deep brain stimulation. Different therapeutic strategies and their underlying mechanisms are explored, with a focus on optimizing parameters for seizure reduction. The review also highlights the paradigm shift toward a more diverse and multimodal approach to deep brain neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheela Toprani
- Neurology, Division of Epilepsy, University of California
Davis, CA, USA
| | - Dominique M. Durand
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Neural Engineering
Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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8
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González ML, Pividori SM, Fosser G, Pontecorvo AA, Franco-Riveros VB, Tubbs RS, Boezaart AP, Reina MA, Buchholz B. Innervation of the heart: Anatomical study with application to better understanding pathologies of the cardiac autonomics. Clin Anat 2023; 36:550-562. [PMID: 36692348 DOI: 10.1002/ca.24017] [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: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Current advances in management of the cardiac neuroaxis in different cardiovascular diseases require a deeper knowledge of cardiac neuroanatomy. The aim of the study was to increase knowledge of the human fetal extrinsic cardiac nervous system. We achieved this by systematizing the origin and formation of the cardiac nerves, branches, and ganglia and their sympathetic/parasympathetic connections. Thirty human fetuses (60 sides) were subjected to detailed sub-macroscopic dissection of the cervical and thoracic regions. Cardiac accessory ganglia lying on a cardiac nerve or in conjunction with two or more (up to four) nerves before entering the mediastinal cardiac plexus were observed in 13 sides. Except for the superior cardiac nerve, the sympathetic cardiac nerves were individually variable and inconstant. In contrast, the cardiac branches of the vagus nerve appeared grossly more constant and invariable, although the individual cardiac branches varied in number and position of origin. Each cervical cardiac nerve or cardiac branch of the vagus nerve could be singular or multiple (up to six) and originated from the sympathetic trunk or the vagus nerve by one, two, or three roots. Sympathetic nerves arose from the cervical-thoracic ganglia or the interganglionic segment of the sympathetic trunk. Connections were found outside the cardiac plexus. Some cardiac nerves were connected to non-cardiac nerves, while others were connected to each other. Common sympathetic/parasympathetic cardiac nerve trunks were more frequent on right (70%) versus left sides (20%). The origin, frequency, and connections of the cardiac nerves and branches are highly variable in the fetus. Detailed knowledge of the normal neuroanatomy of the heart could be useful during cardiac neuromodulation procedures and in better understanding nervous pathologies of the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mailén L González
- School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, First Unit, Cardiovascular Anatomy Lab, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Cardiology, Sanatorio San José, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sofía M Pividori
- School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, First Unit, Cardiovascular Anatomy Lab, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Diagnostic Imaging Department, Hospital Británico, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gregorio Fosser
- School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, First Unit, Cardiovascular Anatomy Lab, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sanatorio Güemes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustina A Pontecorvo
- School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, First Unit, Cardiovascular Anatomy Lab, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Verena B Franco-Riveros
- School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, First Unit, Cardiovascular Anatomy Lab, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Pathology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiopathology, Buenos Aires University School of Medicine (INFICA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET). Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (IBIMOL), Buenos Aires University School of Medicine, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Richard Shane Tubbs
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.,Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada.,Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery and Ochsner Neuroscience Institute, Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.,Department of Neurology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - André P Boezaart
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA.,Lumina Health Pain Medicine Collaborative, Surrey, UK
| | - Miguel A Reina
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA.,CEU-San-Pablo University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bruno Buchholz
- School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, First Unit, Cardiovascular Anatomy Lab, Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Pathology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiopathology, Buenos Aires University School of Medicine (INFICA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET). Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (IBIMOL), Buenos Aires University School of Medicine, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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9
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Huffman WJ, Musselman ED, Pelot NA, Grill WM. Measuring and modeling the effects of vagus nerve stimulation on heart rate and laryngeal muscles. Bioelectron Med 2023; 9:3. [PMID: 36797733 PMCID: PMC9936668 DOI: 10.1186/s42234-023-00107-4] [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: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reduced heart rate (HR) during vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is associated with therapy for heart failure, but stimulation frequency and amplitude are limited by patient tolerance. An understanding of physiological responses to parameter adjustments would allow differential control of therapeutic and side effects. To investigate selective modulation of the physiological responses to VNS, we quantified the effects and interactions of parameter selection on two physiological outcomes: one related to therapy (reduced HR) and one related to side effects (laryngeal muscle EMG). METHODS We applied a broad range of stimulation parameters (mean pulse rates (MPR), intra-burst frequencies, and amplitudes) to the vagus nerve of anesthetized mice. We leveraged the in vivo recordings to parameterize and validate computational models of HR and laryngeal muscle activity across amplitudes and temporal patterns of VNS. We constructed a finite element model of excitation of fibers within the mouse cervical vagus nerve. RESULTS HR decreased with increased amplitude, increased MPR, and decreased intra-burst frequency. EMG increased with increased MPR. Preferential HR effects over laryngeal EMG effects required combined adjustments of amplitude and MPR. The model of HR responses highlighted contributions of ganglionic filtering to VNS-evoked changes in HR at high stimulation frequencies. Overlap in activation thresholds between small and large modeled fibers was consistent with the overlap in dynamic ranges of related physiological measures (HR and EMG). CONCLUSION The present study provides insights into physiological responses to VNS required for informed parameter adjustment to modulate selectively therapeutic effects and side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J. Huffman
- grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Fitzpatrick CIEMAS, Box 90281, Room 1427, 101 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708-0281 USA
| | - Eric D. Musselman
- grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Fitzpatrick CIEMAS, Box 90281, Room 1427, 101 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708-0281 USA
| | - Nicole A. Pelot
- grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Fitzpatrick CIEMAS, Box 90281, Room 1427, 101 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708-0281 USA
| | - Warren M. Grill
- grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Fitzpatrick CIEMAS, Box 90281, Room 1427, 101 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708-0281 USA ,grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, USA ,grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Department of Neurobiology Engineering, Duke University, Durham, USA ,grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Department of Neurosurgery Engineering, Duke University, Durham, USA
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Jayaprakash N, Song W, Toth V, Vardhan A, Levy T, Tomaio J, Qanud K, Mughrabi I, Chang YC, Rob M, Daytz A, Abbas A, Nassrallah Z, Volpe BT, Tracey KJ, Al-Abed Y, Datta-Chaudhuri T, Miller L, Barbe MF, Lee SC, Zanos TP, Zanos S. Organ- and function-specific anatomical organization of vagal fibers supports fascicular vagus nerve stimulation. Brain Stimul 2023; 16:484-506. [PMID: 36773779 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Vagal fibers travel inside fascicles and form branches to innervate organs and regulate organ functions. Existing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapies activate vagal fibers non-selectively, often resulting in reduced efficacy and side effects from non-targeted organs. The transverse and longitudinal arrangement of fibers inside the vagal trunk with respect to the functions they mediate and organs they innervate is unknown, however it is crucial for selective VNS. Using micro-computed tomography imaging, we tracked fascicular trajectories and found that, in swine, sensory and motor fascicles are spatially separated cephalad, close to the nodose ganglion, and merge caudad, towards the lower cervical and upper thoracic region; larynx-, heart- and lung-specific fascicles are separated caudad and progressively merge cephalad. Using quantified immunohistochemistry at single fiber level, we identified and characterized all vagal fibers and found that fibers of different morphological types are differentially distributed in fascicles: myelinated afferents and efferents occupy separate fascicles, myelinated and unmyelinated efferents also occupy separate fascicles, and small unmyelinated afferents are widely distributed within most fascicles. We developed a multi-contact cuff electrode to accommodate the fascicular structure of the vagal trunk and used it to deliver fascicle-selective cervical VNS in anesthetized and awake swine. Compound action potentials from distinct fiber types, and physiological responses from different organs, including laryngeal muscle, cough, breathing, and heart rate responses are elicited in a radially asymmetric manner, with consistent angular separations that agree with the documented fascicular organization. These results indicate that fibers in the trunk of the vagus nerve are anatomically organized according to functions they mediate and organs they innervate and can be asymmetrically activated by fascicular cervical VNS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Weiguo Song
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Viktor Toth
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | | | - Todd Levy
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | | | - Khaled Qanud
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | | | - Yao-Chuan Chang
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Moontahinaz Rob
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Anna Daytz
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA
| | - Adam Abbas
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Zeinab Nassrallah
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA
| | - Bruce T Volpe
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Kevin J Tracey
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Yousef Al-Abed
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | | | - Larry Miller
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | | | - Sunhee C Lee
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | | | - Stavros Zanos
- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA; Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA; Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, Manhasset, NY, USA.
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11
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Pavlov VA, Tracey KJ. Bioelectronic medicine: Preclinical insights and clinical advances. Neuron 2022; 110:3627-3644. [PMID: 36174571 PMCID: PMC10155266 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The nervous system maintains homeostasis and health. Homeostatic disruptions underlying the pathobiology of many diseases can be controlled by bioelectronic devices targeting CNS and peripheral neural circuits. New insights into the regulatory functions of the nervous system and technological developments in bioelectronics drive progress in the emerging field of bioelectronic medicine. Here, we provide an overview of key aspects of preclinical research, translation, and clinical advances in bioelectronic medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin A Pavlov
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA; Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA; Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA.
| | - Kevin J Tracey
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA; Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA; Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA.
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12
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Souza RR, Powers MB, Rennaker RL, McIntyre CK, Hays SA, Kilgard MP. Timing of vagus nerve stimulation during fear extinction determines efficacy in a rat model of PTSD. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16526. [PMID: 36192564 PMCID: PMC9530175 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20301-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies have indicated that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) enhances extinction learning in rodent models. Here, we investigated if pairing VNS with the conditioned stimulus is required for the enhancing effects of VNS. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to intense stress followed by fear conditioning training to produce resistant fear. Rats were then implanted with a cuff electrode around the left vagus. After recovery, rats underwent extinction training paired with VNS (0.5 s, 0.8 mA, 100 µs, and 30 Hz) or with Sham VNS (0 mA). VNS rats were randomized into the following subgroups: During VNS (delivered during presentations of the conditioned stimulus, CS), Between VNS (delivered between CS presentations), Continuous VNS (delivered during the entire extinction session), and Dispersed VNS (delivered at longer inter-stimulation intervals across the extinction session). Sham VNS rats failed to extinguish the conditioned fear response over 5 days of repeated exposure to the CS. Rats that received Between or Dispersed VNS showed modest improvement in conditioned fear at the retention test. During and Continuous VNS groups displayed the greatest reduction in conditioned fear. These findings indicate that delivering VNS paired precisely with CS presentations or continuously throughout extinction promotes the maximum enhancement in extinction learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rimenez R Souza
- Texas Biomedical Device Center, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
- School of Behavioral Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Bioengineering and Sciences Building, 14.506, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
| | - Mark B Powers
- Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75246, USA
| | - Robert L Rennaker
- Texas Biomedical Device Center, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- School of Behavioral Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Bioengineering and Sciences Building, 14.506, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Christa K McIntyre
- Texas Biomedical Device Center, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- School of Behavioral Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Bioengineering and Sciences Building, 14.506, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Seth A Hays
- Texas Biomedical Device Center, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Michael P Kilgard
- Texas Biomedical Device Center, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- School of Behavioral Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Bioengineering and Sciences Building, 14.506, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
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13
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Go YY, Ju WM, Lee CM, Chae SW, Song JJ. Different Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Parameters Modulate the Anti-Inflammatory Effects on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Inflammation in Mice. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020247. [PMID: 35203459 PMCID: PMC8869637 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is considered a potential method for anti-inflammation due to the involvement of the VN in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) formation of a connection between the central nervous system and peripheral immune cells that help relieve inflammation. However, whether a non-invasive transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS) modulates the inflammation levels via altering the parameter of taVNS is poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the differential inhibitory effects of taVNS on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic inflammation using electrical stimulation parameters such as pulse frequency and time. The taVNS-promoted CAP activity significantly recovered LPS-induced tissue injuries (lung, spleen, and intestine) and decreased inflammatory cytokine levels and tissue-infiltrated immune cells. Interestingly, the anti-inflammatory capacity of taVNS with 15 Hz was much higher than that of taVNS with 25 Hz. When a cytokine array was used to investigate the changes of inflammation and immune response-related cytokines/chemokines expression in taVNS with 15 Hz or 25 Hz treatment in LPS-induced endotoxemia in mice, most of the expression of cytokines/chemokines associated with pro-inflammation was severely decreased in taVNS with 15 Hz compared to 25 Hz. This study demonstrated that the taVNS parameter could differentially modulate the inflammation levels of animals, suggesting the importance of taVNS parameter selection for use in feasible interventions for acute inflammation treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon-Young Go
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, 80 Guro-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul 08308, Korea; (Y.-Y.G.); (W.-M.J.); (C.-M.L.); (S.-W.C.)
- Institute for Health Care Convergence Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul 08308, Korea
| | - Won-Min Ju
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, 80 Guro-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul 08308, Korea; (Y.-Y.G.); (W.-M.J.); (C.-M.L.); (S.-W.C.)
| | - Chan-Mi Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, 80 Guro-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul 08308, Korea; (Y.-Y.G.); (W.-M.J.); (C.-M.L.); (S.-W.C.)
| | - Sung-Won Chae
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, 80 Guro-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul 08308, Korea; (Y.-Y.G.); (W.-M.J.); (C.-M.L.); (S.-W.C.)
- Institute for Health Care Convergence Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul 08308, Korea
| | - Jae-Jun Song
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, 80 Guro-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul 08308, Korea; (Y.-Y.G.); (W.-M.J.); (C.-M.L.); (S.-W.C.)
- Institute for Health Care Convergence Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul 08308, Korea
- Neurive Institute, Neurive Co., Ltd., Seoul 08308, Korea
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +82-2-2626-3186; Fax: +82-2-2626-0475
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Human intracranial recordings reveal distinct cortical activity patterns during invasive and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22780. [PMID: 34815529 PMCID: PMC8611055 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02307-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is being used increasingly to treat a wide array of diseases and disorders. This growth is driven in part by the putative ability to stimulate the nerve non-invasively. Despite decades of use and a rapidly expanding application space, we lack a complete understanding of the acute effects of VNS on human cortical neurophysiology. Here, we investigated cortical responses to sub-perceptual threshold cervical implanted (iVNS) and transcutaneous auricular (taVNS) vagus nerve stimulation using intracranial neurophysiological recordings in human epilepsy patients. To understand the areas that are modulated by VNS and how they differ depending on invasiveness and stimulation parameters, we compared VNS-evoked neural activity across a range of stimulation modalities, frequencies, and amplitudes. Using comparable stimulation parameters, both iVNS and taVNS caused subtle changes in low-frequency power across broad cortical networks, which were not the same across modalities and were highly variable across participants. However, within at least some individuals, it may be possible to elicit similar responses across modalities using distinct sets of stimulation parameters. These results demonstrate that both invasive and non-invasive VNS cause evoked changes in activity across a set of highly distributed cortical networks that are relevant to a diverse array of clinical, rehabilitative, and enhancement applications.
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15
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Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation induces stabilizing modifications in large-scale functional brain networks: towards understanding the effects of taVNS in subjects with epilepsy. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7906. [PMID: 33846432 PMCID: PMC8042037 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87032-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a novel non-invasive brain stimulation technique considered as a potential supplementary treatment option for subjects with refractory epilepsy. Its exact mechanism of action is not yet fully understood. We developed an examination schedule to probe for immediate taVNS-induced modifications of large-scale epileptic brain networks and accompanying changes of cognition and behaviour. In this prospective trial, we applied short-term (1 h) taVNS to 14 subjects with epilepsy during a continuous 3-h EEG recording which was embedded in two standardized neuropsychological assessments. From these EEG, we derived evolving epileptic brain networks and tracked important topological, robustness, and stability properties of networks over time. In the majority of investigated subjects, taVNS induced measurable and persisting modifications in network properties that point to a more resilient epileptic brain network without negatively impacting cognition, behaviour, or mood. The stimulation was well tolerated and the usability of the device was rated good. Short-term taVNS has a topology-modifying, robustness- and stability-enhancing immediate effect on large-scale epileptic brain networks. It has no detrimental effects on cognition and behaviour. Translation into clinical practice requires further studies to detail knowledge about the exact mechanisms by which taVNS prevents or inhibits seizures.
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16
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Kakinuma Y. Characteristic Effects of the Cardiac Non-Neuronal Acetylcholine System Augmentation on Brain Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020545. [PMID: 33430415 PMCID: PMC7826949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of non-neuronal acetylcholine in the heart, this specific system has drawn scientific interest from many research fields, including cardiology, immunology, and pharmacology. This system, acquired by cardiomyocytes independent of the parasympathetic nervous system of the autonomic nervous system, helps us to understand unsolved issues in cardiac physiology and to realize that the system may be more pivotal for cardiac homeostasis than expected. However, it has been shown that the effects of this system may not be restricted to the heart, but rather extended to cover extra-cardiac organs. To this end, this system intriguingly influences brain function, specifically potentiating blood brain barrier function. Although the results reported appear to be unusual, this novel characteristic can provide us with another research interest and therapeutic application mode for central nervous system diseases. In this review, we discuss our recent studies and raise the possibility of application of this system as an adjunctive therapeutic modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiko Kakinuma
- Department of Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan
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17
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Quantification of clinically applicable stimulation parameters for precision near-organ neuromodulation of human splenic nerves. Commun Biol 2020; 3:577. [PMID: 33067560 PMCID: PMC7568572 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01299-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromodulation is a new therapeutic pathway to treat inflammatory conditions by modulating the electrical signalling pattern of the autonomic connections to the spleen. However, targeting this sub-division of the nervous system presents specific challenges in translating nerve stimulation parameters. Firstly, autonomic nerves are typically embedded non-uniformly among visceral and connective tissues with complex interfacing requirements. Secondly, these nerves contain axons with populations of varying phenotypes leading to complexities for axon engagement and activation. Thirdly, clinical translational of methodologies attained using preclinical animal models are limited due to heterogeneity of the intra- and inter-species comparative anatomy and physiology. Here we demonstrate how this can be accomplished by the use of in silico modelling of target anatomy, and validation of these estimations through ex vivo human tissue electrophysiology studies. Neuroelectrical models are developed to address the challenges in translation of parameters, which provides strong input criteria for device design and dose selection prior to a first-in-human trial. Due to the difference between rodent, porcine and human nerve morphology, Gupta et al. propose an integrative approach of computational modelling and ex vivo electrophysiology studies to identify clinically relevant optimal parameters for human peripheral nerve stimulation as a therapeutic tool. The agreement between results validate the use of computer simulations as a first step toward determining stimulation parameters to provide input criteria for device design and dose selection prior to first-in-human trials.
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Chang YC, Cracchiolo M, Ahmed U, Mughrabi I, Gabalski A, Daytz A, Rieth L, Becker L, Datta-Chaudhuri T, Al-Abed Y, Zanos TP, Zanos S. Quantitative estimation of nerve fiber engagement by vagus nerve stimulation using physiological markers. Brain Stimul 2020; 13:1617-1630. [PMID: 32956868 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2020.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an emerging bioelectronic treatment for brain, metabolic, cardiovascular and immune disorders. Its desired and off-target effects are mediated by different nerve fiber populations and knowledge of their engagement could guide calibration and monitoring of VNS therapies. OBJECTIVE Stimulus-evoked compound action potentials (eCAPs) directly provide fiber engagement information but are currently not feasible in humans. A method to estimate fiber engagement through common, noninvasive physiological readouts could be used in place of eCAP measurements. METHODS In anesthetized rats, we recorded eCAPs while registering acute physiological response markers to VNS: cervical electromyography (EMG), changes in heart rate (ΔHR) and breathing interval (ΔBI). Quantitative models were established to capture the relationship between A-, B- and C-fiber type activation and those markers, and to quantitatively estimate fiber activation from physiological markers and stimulation parameters. RESULTS In bivariate analyses, we found that EMG correlates with A-fiber, ΔHR with B-fiber and ΔBI with C-fiber activation, in agreement with known physiological functions of the vagus. We compiled multivariate models for quantitative estimation of fiber engagement from these markers and stimulation parameters. Finally, we compiled frequency gain models that allow estimation of fiber engagement at a wide range of VNS frequencies. Our models, after calibration in humans, could provide noninvasive estimation of fiber engagement in current and future therapeutic applications of VNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Chuan Chang
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Marina Cracchiolo
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA; The BioRobotics Institute and Department of Excellence in Robotics and AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, 56127, Italy
| | - Umair Ahmed
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Ibrahim Mughrabi
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Arielle Gabalski
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Anna Daytz
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Loren Rieth
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Lance Becker
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Timir Datta-Chaudhuri
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Yousef Al-Abed
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Theodoros P Zanos
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Stavros Zanos
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA.
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19
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Bonaz B. Parameters matter: modulating cytokines using nerve stimulation. Bioelectron Med 2020; 6:12. [PMID: 32607391 PMCID: PMC7318398 DOI: 10.1186/s42234-020-00049-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The vagus nerve-based inflammatory reflex regulates inflammation and cytokine release. Recent successful clinical trials using implantable bioelectronic devices to modulate the inflammatory reflex in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease have demonstrated the efficacy of targeting neural circuits as an efficient alternative to drug treatments. However, the optimal vagus nerve stimulation parameters to achieve efficacious symptomatic relief for inflammation are still unknown. In this issue of Bioelectronic Medicine, Tsaava et al. tested whether altering these electrical stimulation parameters would change circulating cytokine levels in healthy mice. They found that specific combinations of parameters produced significant increases in serum TNF while other parameters selectively lowered serum TNF levels, as compared to sham stimulated mice. These results have considerable implications for determining the optimal stimulation parameters to better treat common conditions and diseases that involve immune regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Bonaz
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, Grenoble Institute Neurosciences and Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, CHU Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France
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Tsaava T, Datta-Chaudhuri T, Addorisio ME, Masi EB, Silverman HA, Newman JE, Imperato GH, Bouton C, Tracey KJ, Chavan SS, Chang EH. Specific vagus nerve stimulation parameters alter serum cytokine levels in the absence of inflammation. Bioelectron Med 2020; 6:8. [PMID: 32309522 PMCID: PMC7146955 DOI: 10.1186/s42234-020-00042-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves is a widely used technique to treat a variety of conditions including chronic pain, motor impairment, headaches, and epilepsy. Nerve stimulation to achieve efficacious symptomatic relief depends on the proper selection of electrical stimulation parameters to recruit the appropriate fibers within a nerve. Recently, electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve has shown promise for controlling inflammation and clinical trials have demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. This application of vagus nerve stimulation activates the inflammatory reflex, reducing levels of inflammatory cytokines during inflammation. Methods Here, we wanted to test whether altering the parameters of electrical vagus nerve stimulation would change circulating cytokine levels of normal healthy animals in the absence of increased inflammation. To examine this, we systematically tested a set of electrical stimulation parameters and measured serum cytokine levels in healthy mice. Results Surprisingly, we found that specific combinations of pulse width, pulse amplitude, and frequency produced significant increases of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF), while other parameters selectively lowered serum TNF levels, as compared to sham-stimulated mice. In addition, serum levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) were significantly increased by select parameters of electrical stimulation but remained unchanged with others. Conclusions These results indicate that electrical stimulation parameter selection is critically important for the modulation of cytokines via the cervical vagus nerve and that specific cytokines can be increased by electrical stimulation in the absence of inflammation. As the next generation of bioelectronic therapies and devices are developed to capitalize on the neural regulation of inflammation, the selection of nerve stimulation parameters will be a critically important variable for achieving cytokine-specific changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Téa Tsaava
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
| | - Timir Datta-Chaudhuri
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, 500 Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York 11030 USA
- The Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
| | - Meghan E. Addorisio
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
| | - Emily Battinelli Masi
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, 500 Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York 11030 USA
| | - Harold A. Silverman
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
| | - Justin E. Newman
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
| | - Gavin H. Imperato
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
- The Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
| | - Chad Bouton
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, 500 Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York 11030 USA
- The Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
| | - Kevin J. Tracey
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, 500 Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York 11030 USA
- The Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
| | - Sangeeta S. Chavan
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, 500 Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York 11030 USA
- The Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
| | - Eric H. Chang
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, 500 Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York 11030 USA
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Settell ML, Pelot NA, Knudsen BE, Dingle AM, McConico AL, Nicolai EN, Trevathan JK, Ezzell JA, Ross EK, Gustafson KJ, Shoffstall AJ, Williams JC, Zeng W, Poore SO, Populin LC, Suminski AJ, Grill WM, Ludwig KA. Functional vagotopy in the cervical vagus nerve of the domestic pig: implications for the study of vagus nerve stimulation. J Neural Eng 2020; 17:026022. [PMID: 32108590 PMCID: PMC7306215 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ab7ad4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Given current clinical interest in vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), there are surprisingly few studies characterizing the anatomy of the vagus nerve in large animal models as it pertains to on-and off-target engagement of local fibers. We sought to address this gap by evaluating vagal anatomy in the pig, whose vagus nerve organization and size approximates the human vagus nerve. APPROACH Here we combined microdissection, histology, and immunohistochemistry to provide data on key features across the cervical vagus nerve in a swine model, and compare our results to other animal models (mouse, rat, dog, non-human primate) and humans. MAIN RESULTS In a swine model we quantified the nerve diameter, number and diameter of fascicles, and distance of fascicles from the epineural surface where stimulating electrodes are placed. We also characterized the relative locations of the superior and recurrent laryngeal branches of the vagus nerve that have been implicated in therapy limiting side effects with common electrode placement. We identified key variants across the cohort that may be important for VNS with respect to changing sympathetic/parasympathetic tone, such as cross-connections to the sympathetic trunk. We discovered that cell bodies of pseudo-unipolar cells aggregate together to form a very distinct grouping within the nodose ganglion. This distinct grouping gives rise to a larger number of smaller fascicles as one moves caudally down the vagus nerve. This often leads to a distinct bimodal organization, or 'vagotopy'. This vagotopy was supported by immunohistochemistry where approximately half of the fascicles were immunoreactive for choline acetyltransferase, and reactive fascicles were generally grouped in one half of the nerve. SIGNIFICANCE The vagotopy observed via histology may be advantageous to exploit in design of electrodes/stimulation paradigms. We also placed our data in context of historic and recent histology spanning multiple models, thus providing a comprehensive resource to understand similarities and differences across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L Settell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Nicole A Pelot
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Bruce E Knudsen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Aaron M Dingle
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Andrea L McConico
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Evan N Nicolai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - James K Trevathan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - J Ashley Ezzell
- Histology Research Core, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Erika K Ross
- Abbott Neuromodulation, Plano, TX, United States of America
| | - Kenneth J Gustafson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
- Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
| | - Andrew J Shoffstall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
- Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
| | - Justin C Williams
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Weifeng Zeng
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Samuel O Poore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Luis C Populin
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Aaron J Suminski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Warren M Grill
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Kip A Ludwig
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
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22
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Rodenkirch C, Wang Q. Rapid and transient enhancement of thalamic information transmission induced by vagus nerve stimulation. J Neural Eng 2020; 17:026027. [PMID: 31935689 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ab6b84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been FDA-approved as a long-term, therapeutic treatment for multiple disorders, including pharmacoresistant epilepsy and depression. Here we elucidate the short-term effects of VNS on sensory processing. APPROACH We employed an information theoretic approach to examine the effects of VNS on thalamocortical transmission of sensory-related information along the somatosensory pathway. MAIN RESULTS We found that VNS enhanced the selectivity of the response of thalamic neurons to specific kinetic features in the stimuli, resulting in a significant increase in the efficiency and rate of stimulus-related information conveyed by thalamic spikes. VNS-induced improvements in thalamic sensory processing coincided with a decrease in thalamic burst firing. Importantly, we found VNS-induced enhancement of sensory processing had a rapid onset and offset, completely disappearing one minute after cessation of VNS. The timescales of these effects indicate against an underlying mechanism involving long-term neuroplasticity. We found several patterns of VNS (tonic, standard duty-cycle, and fast duty-cycle) all induced similar improvements in sensory processing. Under closer inspection we noticed that due to the fast timescale of VNS effects on sensory processing, standard duty-cycle VNS induced a fluctuating sensory processing state which may be sub-optimal for perceptual behavior. Fast duty-cycle VNS and continuous, tonic VNS induced quantitatively similar improvements in thalamic information transmission as standard duty-cycle VNS without inducing a fluctuating thalamic state. Further, we found the strength of VNS-induced improvements in sensory processing increased monotonically with amplitude and frequency of VNS. SIGNIFICANCE These results demonstrate, for the first time, the feasibility of utilizing specific patterns of VNS to rapidly improve sensory processing and confirm fast duty-cycle and tonic patterns as optimal for this purpose, while showing standard duty-cycle VNS causes non-optimal fluctuations in thalamic state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Rodenkirch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, ET351, 500 W. 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States of America
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23
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Ntiloudi D, Qanud K, Tomaio JN, Giannakoulas G, Al-Abed Y, Zanos S. Pulmonary arterial hypertension: the case for a bioelectronic treatment. Bioelectron Med 2019; 5:20. [PMID: 32232109 PMCID: PMC7098229 DOI: 10.1186/s42234-019-0036-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease of unknown etiology that progresses to right ventricular failure. It has a complex pathophysiology, which involves an imbalance between vasoconstrictive and vasodilative processes in the pulmonary circulation, pulmonary vasoconstriction, vascular and right ventricular remodeling, systemic inflammation, and autonomic imbalance, with a reduced parasympathetic and increased sympathetic tone. Current pharmacological treatments for PAH include several classes of drugs that target signaling pathways in vascular biology and cardiovascular physiology, but they can have severe unwanted effects and they do not typically stop the progression of the disease. Pulmonary artery denervation has been tested clinically as a method to suppress sympathetic overactivation, however it is a nonspecific and irreversible intervention. Bioelectronic medicine, in particular vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), has been used in cardiovascular disorders like arrhythmias, heart failure and arterial hypertension and could, in principle, be tested as a treatment in PAH. VNS can produce pulmonary vasodilation and renormalize right ventricular function, via activation of pulmonary and cardiac vagal fibers. It can suppress systemic inflammation, via activation of fibers that innervate the spleen. Finally, VNS can gradually restore the balance between parasympathetic and sympathetic tone by regulating autonomic reflexes. Preclinical studies support the feasibility of using VNS in PAH. However, there are challenges with such an approach, arising from the need to affect a relatively small number of relevant vagal fibers, and the potential for unwanted cardiac and noncardiac effects of VNS in this sensitive patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despοina Ntiloudi
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA.,2Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Khaled Qanud
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
| | - Jacquelyn-Nicole Tomaio
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
| | | | - Yousef Al-Abed
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
| | - Stavros Zanos
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA
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24
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Yaghouby F, Shafer B, Vasudevan S. A rodent model for long-term vagus nerve stimulation experiments. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.2217/bem-2019-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Aim: Investigations into the benefits of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) using rodents have led to promising findings for treating clinical disorders. However, the majority of research has been limited to acute timelines. We developed a rodent model for longitudinal assessment of VNS and validated it with a long-term experiment incorporating continuous physiological monitoring. While the primary aim was not to investigate the effects of VNS on the cardiovascular system, we analyzed cardiovascular parameters to demonstrate the model's capabilities in a long-term stimulation-and-recording setup. Materials & methods: Rats were implanted with a cuff electrode around the cervical vagus nerve and electrocardiogram monitoring devices were implanted in the peritoneal cavity. We also designed a connector mount for seamless access to the cuff electrode for VNS in awake-behaving rats. Results & conclusion: Results signified easy-to-interface VNS system, electrode robustness and discernible physiological signals in a long-term setup. Analysis of the cardiovascular parameters revealed some transient effects during VNS. Our proposed model enables long-term VNS experiments along with physiological monitoring in unanesthetized rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farid Yaghouby
- US Food & Drug Administration, Center for Devices & Radiological Health (CDRH), Office of Science & Engineering Laboratory (OSEL), Division of Biomedical Physics (DBP), Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Benjamin Shafer
- US Food & Drug Administration, Center for Devices & Radiological Health (CDRH), Office of Science & Engineering Laboratory (OSEL), Division of Biomedical Physics (DBP), Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Srikanth Vasudevan
- US Food & Drug Administration, Center for Devices & Radiological Health (CDRH), Office of Science & Engineering Laboratory (OSEL), Division of Biomedical Physics (DBP), Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
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