Lin Q, Shivdasani MN, Tsai D, Chang YC, Jayaprakash N, Zanos S, Lovell NH, Dokos S, Guo T. A Computational Model of Functionally-distinct Cervical Vagus Nerve Fibers.
ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2020;
2020:2475-2478. [PMID:
33018508 DOI:
10.1109/embc44109.2020.9175855]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Cervical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a neuromodulation therapy used in the treatment of several chronic disorders. In order to maximize the therapeutic effectiveness of VNS, it has become increasingly important to deliver fiber-specific neurostimulation, so that undesired effects can be minimized. Assessing the activation of different vagal fiber types through electrical stimulation is therefore essential for developing fiber-selective VNS therapies. Towards this goal, we conducted in silico investigations using a generic model of functionally distinct nerve fibers and clinically relevant cuff electrodes using COMSOL. Our model is constrained by histological observations from rat cervical vagus nerves and its outputs are validated against averaged compound nerve action potentials (CNAPs) obtained from rat vagus nerve recordings. We propose this model as an effective tool to design fiber-specific stimulation protocols before testing them in experimental animals.
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