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Kumaria A, Kirkman MA, Scott RA, Dow GR, Leggate AJ, Macarthur DC, Ingale HA, Smith SJ, Basu S. A Reappraisal of the Pathophysiology of Cushing Ulcer: A Narrative Review. J Neurosurg Anesthesiol 2024; 36:211-217. [PMID: 37188653 DOI: 10.1097/ana.0000000000000918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In 1932, Harvey Cushing described peptic ulceration secondary to raised intracranial pressure and attributed this to vagal overactivity, causing excess gastric acid secretion. Cushing ulcer remains a cause of morbidity in patients, albeit one that is preventable. This narrative review evaluates the evidence pertaining to the pathophysiology of neurogenic peptic ulceration. Review of the literature suggests that the pathophysiology of Cushing ulcer may extend beyond vagal mechanisms for several reasons: (1) clinical and experimental studies have shown only a modest increase in gastric acid secretion in head-injured patients; (2) increased vagal tone is found in only a minority of cases of intracranial hypertension, most of which are related to catastrophic, nonsurvivable brain injury; (3) direct stimulation of the vagus nerve does not cause peptic ulceration, and; (4) Cushing ulcer can occur after acute ischemic stroke, but only a minority of strokes are associated with raised intracranial pressure and/or increased vagal tone. The 2005 Nobel Prize in Medicine honored the discovery that bacteria play key roles in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease. Brain injury results in widespread changes in the gut microbiome in addition to gastrointestinal inflammation, including systemic upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines. Alternations in the gut microbiome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury include colonization with commensal flora associated with peptic ulceration. The brain-gut-microbiome axis integrates the central nervous system, the enteric nervous system, and the immune system. Following the review of the literature, we propose a novel hypothesis that neurogenic peptic ulcer may be associated with alterations in the gut microbiome, resulting in gastrointestinal inflammation leading to ulceration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Robert A Scott
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre
| | - Graham R Dow
- Department of Neurosurgery, Queen's Medical Centre
| | | | | | | | - Stuart J Smith
- Department of Neurosurgery, Queen's Medical Centre
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Surajit Basu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Queen's Medical Centre
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2
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Zegers CML, Swinnen A, Roumen C, Hoffmann AL, Troost EGC, van Asch CJJ, Brandts L, Compter I, Dieleman EMT, Dijkstra JB, Granzier M, Hendriks M, Hofman P, Houben RMA, Ramaekers B, Ronner HE, Rouhl RPW, van der Salm S, Santegoeds RGC, Verhoeff JJ, Wagner GL, Zwemmer J, Schijns O, Colon AJ, Eekers DBP. High-precision stereotactic irradiation for focal drug-resistant epilepsy versus standard treatment: a randomized waitlist-controlled trial (the PRECISION trial). Trials 2024; 25:334. [PMID: 38773643 PMCID: PMC11106873 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08168-9] [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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The standard treatment for patients with focal drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) who are not eligible for open brain surgery is the continuation of anti-seizure medication (ASM) and neuromodulation. This treatment does not cure epilepsy but only decreases severity. The PRECISION trial offers a non-invasive, possibly curative intervention for these patients, which consist of a single stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) treatment. Previous studies have shown promising results of SRT in this patient population. Nevertheless, this intervention is not yet available and reimbursed in the Netherlands. We hypothesize that: SRT is a superior treatment option compared to palliative standard of care, for patients with focal DRE, not eligible for open surgery, resulting in a higher reduction of seizure frequency (with 50% of the patients reaching a 75% seizure frequency reduction at 2 years follow-up). METHODS In this waitlist-controlled phase 3 clinical trial, participants are randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either receive SRT as the intervention, while the standard treatments consist of ASM continuation and neuromodulation. After 2-year follow-up, patients randomized for the standard treatment (waitlist-control group) are offered SRT. Patients aged ≥ 18 years with focal DRE and a pretreatment defined epileptogenic zone (EZ) not eligible for open surgery will be included. The intervention is a LINAC-based single fraction (24 Gy) SRT treatment. The target volume is defined as the epileptogenic zone (EZ) on all (non) invasive examinations. The seizure frequency will be monitored on a daily basis using an electronic diary and an automatic seizure detection system during the night. Potential side effects are evaluated using advanced MRI, cognitive evaluation, Common Toxicity Criteria, and patient-reported outcome questionnaires. In addition, the cost-effectiveness of the SRT treatment will be evaluated. DISCUSSION This is the first randomized trial comparing SRT with standard of care in patients with DRE, non-eligible for open surgery. The primary objective is to determine whether SRT significantly reduces the seizure frequency 2 years after treatment. The results of this trial can influence the current clinical practice and medical cost reimbursement in the Netherlands for patients with focal DRE who are not eligible for open surgery, providing a non-invasive curative treatment option. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT05182437. Registered on September 27, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M L Zegers
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - A Swinnen
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - C Roumen
- Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - A L Hoffmann
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - E G C Troost
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz Association/Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - C J J van Asch
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Zwolle, the Netherlands
| | - L Brandts
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - I Compter
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - E M T Dieleman
- Department of Radiotherapy, Amsterdam UMC (AMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J B Dijkstra
- Department of Medical Psychology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, MHeNs School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - M Granzier
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - M Hendriks
- Academic Center for Epileptology Kempenhaeghe, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - P Hofman
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - R M A Houben
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - B Ramaekers
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - H E Ronner
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - R P W Rouhl
- Academic Center for Epileptology Kempenhaeghe, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - S van der Salm
- University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - R G C Santegoeds
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - J J Verhoeff
- Department of Radiotherapy, Amsterdam UMC (AMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UMC Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - G L Wagner
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Academic Center for Epileptology Kempenhaeghe, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - J Zwemmer
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, the Netherlands
| | - Oemg Schijns
- Academic Center for Epileptology Kempenhaeghe, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - A J Colon
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Academic Center for Epileptology Kempenhaeghe, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Epileptology, CHU Martinique, Fort-de-France, France
| | - D B P Eekers
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Liu G, Chi B. Technological Modalities in the Assessment and Treatment of Disorders of Consciousness. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 2024; 35:109-126. [PMID: 37993182 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2023.07.005] [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] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Over the last 10 years, there have been rapid advances made in technologies that can be utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with a disorder of consciousness (DoC). This article provides a comprehensive review of these modalities including the evidence supporting their potential use in DoC. This review specifically addresses diagnostic, non-invasive therapeutic, and invasive therapeutic technological modalities except for neuroimaging, which is discussed in another article. While technologic advances appear promising for both assessment and treatment of patients with a DoC, high-quality evidence supporting widespread clinical adoption remains limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No 12 Wulumuqi Middle Road, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Bradley Chi
- H. Ben Taub Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, 7200 Cambridge Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Konakoğlu G, Özden AV, Solmaz H, Bildik C. The effect of auricular vagus nerve stimulation on electroencephalography and electromyography measurements in healthy persons. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1215757. [PMID: 37528897 PMCID: PMC10390310 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1215757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Auricular vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a non-invasive treatment modality. Opinions that it can be used in the treatment of various clinical problems have gained importance in recent years. In this study, it was aimed to lay the groundwork for the use of the auricular VNS in different ears. Methods: Healthy individuals (n = 90) were divided into three groups: unilateral left (n = 30), unilateral right (n = 30), and bilateral (n = 30) auricular VNS. Electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) measurements were performed before and after auricular VNS (10 Hz, 300 µs, 20 min) for a single session. Results: An increase in wrist extensor muscles activation was detected on the contralateral side of the auricular VNS application side. It has been observed that there is a general decrease in the power of high-frequency waves and an increase in the power of lower-medium frequency waves in various parts of the brain. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the projection of the auricular VNS in the central nervous system may also affect the corticospinal tracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gülşah Konakoğlu
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul Gelisim University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Ali Veysel Özden
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Hakan Solmaz
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Biomedical Engineering Department, Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul, Türkiye
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Sant'Anna FM, Resende RCL, Sant'Anna LB, Couceiro SLM, Pinto RBS, Sant'Anna MB, Chao LW, Szeles JC, Kaniusas E. Auricular vagus nerve stimulation: a new option to treat inflammation in COVID-19? REVISTA DA ASSOCIACAO MEDICA BRASILEIRA (1992) 2023; 69:e20230345. [PMID: 37283364 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20230345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Mendes Sant'Anna
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - Macaé (RJ), Brazil
- Hospital Santa Izabel - Cabo Frio (RJ), Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Liaw Wen Chao
- Universidade de São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas - São Paulo (SP), Brazil
| | - Jozsef Constantin Szeles
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery - Vienna, Austria
| | - Eugenijus Kaniusas
- Vienna Universit y of Technology, Institute of Biomedical Electronics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology - Vienna, Austria
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6
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Couceiro SM, Sant’Anna LB, Sant’Anna MB, Menezes RSM, Mesquita ET, Sant’Anna FM. Auricular Vagal Neuromodulation and its Application in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction. Arq Bras Cardiol 2023; 120:e20220581. [PMID: 37194830 PMCID: PMC10263391 DOI: 10.36660/abc.20220581] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The autonomic nervous system (ANS) imbalance in heart failure (HF) creates a vicious cycle, excess sympathetic activity, and decreased vagal activity contributing to the worsening of HF. Low-intensity transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (taVNS) is well tolerated and opens new therapeutic possibilities. OBJECTIVES To hypothesize the applicability and benefit of taVNS in HF through intergroup comparison of echocardiography parameters, 6-minute walk test, Holter heart rate variability (SDNN and rMSSD), Minnesota quality of life questionnaire, and functional class by the New York Heart Association. In comparisons, p values <0.05 were considered significant. METHODS Prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical study with sham methodology, unicentric. Forty-three patients were evaluated and divided into 2 groups: Group 1 received taVNS (frequencies 2/15 Hz), and Group 2 received sham. In comparisons, p values <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS In the post-intervention phase, it was observed that Group 1 had better rMSSD (31 x 21; p = 0.046) and achieved better SDNN (110 vs. 84, p = 0.033). When comparing intragroup parameters before and after the intervention, it was observed that all of them improved significantly in group 1, and there were no differences in group 2. CONCLUSION taVNS is a safe to perform and easy intervention and suggests a probable benefit in HF by improving heart rate variability, which indicates better autonomic balance. New studies with more patients are needed to answer the questions raised by this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Menezes Couceiro
- Universidade Federal FluminenseCabo FrioRJBrasilUniversidade Federal Fluminense, Cabo Frio, RJ – Brasil
- Clínica Santa Helena – CardiologiaCabo FrioRJBrasilClínica Santa Helena – Cardiologia, Cabo Frio, RJ – Brasil
| | - Lucas Bonacossa Sant’Anna
- Fundação Técnico-Educacional Souza MarquesEscola de Medicina Souza MarquesCabo FrioRJBrasilFundação Técnico-Educacional Souza Marques Escola de Medicina Souza Marques – Ensino e Graduação, Cabo Frio, RJ – Brasil
| | - Mariana Bonacossa Sant’Anna
- Fundação Técnico-Educacional Souza MarquesEscola de Medicina Souza MarquesCabo FrioRJBrasilFundação Técnico-Educacional Souza Marques Escola de Medicina Souza Marques – Ensino e Graduação, Cabo Frio, RJ – Brasil
| | | | - Evandro Tinoco Mesquita
- Complexo Hospitalar de NiteróiNiteróiRJBrasilComplexo Hospitalar de Niterói, Niterói, RJ – Brasil
- Universidade Federal FluminenseRio de JaneiroRJBrasilUniversidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, RJ – Brasil
| | - Fernando Mendes Sant’Anna
- Clínica Santa Helena – CardiologiaCabo FrioRJBrasilClínica Santa Helena – Cardiologia, Cabo Frio, RJ – Brasil
- Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroCampus Macaé – Ensino e GraduaçãoMacaéRJBrasilUniversidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé – Ensino e Graduação, Macaé, RJ – Brasil
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Zhang S, He H, Wang Y, Wang X, Liu X. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation as a potential novel treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7721. [PMID: 37173458 PMCID: PMC10182028 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34746-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age. The etiology of PCOS is multifactorial, and current treatments for PCOS are far from satisfactory. Recently, an imbalanced autonomic nervous system (ANS) with sympathetic hyperactivity and reduced parasympathetic nerve activity (vagal tone) has aroused increasing attention in the pathogenesis of PCOS. In this paper, we review an innovative therapy for the treatment of PCOS and related co-morbidities by targeting parasympathetic modulation based on non-invasive transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (ta-VNS). In this work, we present the role of the ANS in the development of PCOS and describe a large number of experimental and clinical reports that support the favorable effects of VNS/ta-VNS in treating a variety of symptoms, including obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, inflammation, microbiome dysregulation, cardiovascular disease, and depression, all of which are also commonly present in PCOS patients. We propose a model focusing on ta-VNS that may treat PCOS by (1) regulating energy metabolism via bidirectional vagal signaling; (2) reversing insulin resistance via its antidiabetic effect; (3) activating anti-inflammatory pathways; (4) restoring homeostasis of the microbiota-gut-brain axis; (5) restoring the sympatho-vagal balance to improve CVD outcomes; (6) and modulating mental disorders. ta-VNS is a safe clinical procedure and it might be a promising new treatment approach for PCOS, or at least a supplementary treatment for current therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shike Zhang
- Southern University of Science and Technology Yantian Hospital, Shenzhen, 518081, China
- Shenzhen Yantian District People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518081, China
| | - Hui He
- First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
| | - Yu Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Xiaofang Liu
- Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
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Geng D, Yang K, Fu Z, Zhang Y, Wang C, An H. Circadian stage-dependent and stimulation duration effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on heart rate variability. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277090. [PMID: 36327249 PMCID: PMC9632923 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can improve autonomic nerve function and is currently undergoing extensive clinical research; however, its efficacy heterogeneity has caused great controversy. Heart rate variability (HRV), a biomarker reflecting autonomic function, exhibits a time-varying pattern with circadian rhythms, which may be the main reason for the inconsistent stimulation effects. To test this conjecture, we performed isochronous acute stimulation experiments at intervals of 12 h. The results showed that HRV indicators representing vagal nerve activity significantly increased when stimulation was performed in the morning, and the enhancement of high frequency continued into the recovery period. However, the evening stimulation did not yield similar results. In addition, we found that improvements in the measures of autonomic balance were more pronounced in the presence of lower vagal activity. By increasing the stimulation duration, we also found that the effect of taVNS on HRV was not regulated by duration; in other words, HRV changes only had the best effect at the beginning of stimulation. These studies allowed us to determine the optimal stimulation phase and duration and potentially screen the optimal candidates for taVNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duyan Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Reliability and Intelligence of Electrical Equipment, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Kai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reliability and Intelligence of Electrical Equipment, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Field and Electrical Apparatus Reliability of Hebei Province, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhigang Fu
- Physical Examination Center of the 983rd Hospital of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force, Tianjin, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reliability and Intelligence of Electrical Equipment, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Field and Electrical Apparatus Reliability of Hebei Province, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Chao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reliability and Intelligence of Electrical Equipment, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Field and Electrical Apparatus Reliability of Hebei Province, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongxia An
- State Key Laboratory of Reliability and Intelligence of Electrical Equipment, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Field and Electrical Apparatus Reliability of Hebei Province, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China
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9
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Mogilevski T, Rosella S, Aziz Q, Gibson PR. Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation protects against stress-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction in healthy adults. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2022; 34:e14382. [PMID: 35481691 PMCID: PMC9786250 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intestinal barrier dysfunction is the likely initiating event in multiple human diseases. Currently, there are limited therapeutic strategies to address its dysfunction. Animal studies suggest that vagal nerve stimulation may improve intestinal barrier function, but this has not been evaluated in humans. This study aimed to determine the effect of vagal nerve stimulation on intestinal permeability in adults administered a bolus dose of intravenous corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) which has been shown to increase small intestinal permeability in healthy human subjects. METHODS In a cross-over study, 16 volunteers (median age 34 years, 11 female) were randomized to receive auricular transcutaneous vagal nerve or sham stimulation (10 minutes each side) after intravenous administration of 100 µg of CRH. Intestinal barrier function was measured before and 2 h after each intervention with dual-sugar urine testing (lactulose:mannitol ratio) and intestinal fatty-acid binding protein (I-FABP). KEY RESULTS Exposure to CRH increased I-FABP concentrations by a median of 49 (IQR 4-71)% (p = 0.009). Lactulose:mannitol ratios were 0.029 (0.025-0.050) following vagal stimulation compared with 0.062 (0.032-0.170) following sham stimulation (p = 0.0092), representing a fall of 53 (22-71)%. I-FABP concentrations did not change (p = 0.90). CONCLUSIONS Brief non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation consistently reduces paracellular permeability of the small intestine after CRH administration, but does not entirely mitigate I-FABP release from the epithelium. Studies of vagal nerve stimulation in disease states are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Mogilevski
- Department of GastroenterologyMonash University and Alfred HealthMelbourneAustralia,Barts Health NHS trustLondonUK,Centre for NeuroscienceSurgery and TraumaBlizard InstituteWingate Institute of NeurogastroenterologyBarts and the London School of Medicine and DentistryQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Sam Rosella
- Department of GastroenterologyMonash University and Alfred HealthMelbourneAustralia
| | - Qasim Aziz
- Barts Health NHS trustLondonUK,Centre for NeuroscienceSurgery and TraumaBlizard InstituteWingate Institute of NeurogastroenterologyBarts and the London School of Medicine and DentistryQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Peter R. Gibson
- Department of GastroenterologyMonash University and Alfred HealthMelbourneAustralia
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Ottaviani MM, Vallone F, Micera S, Recchia FA. Closed-Loop Vagus Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases: State of the Art and Future Directions. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:866957. [PMID: 35463766 PMCID: PMC9021417 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.866957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The autonomic nervous system exerts a fine beat-to-beat regulation of cardiovascular functions and is consequently involved in the onset and progression of many cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Selective neuromodulation of the brain-heart axis with advanced neurotechnologies is an emerging approach to corroborate CVDs treatment when classical pharmacological agents show limited effectiveness. The vagus nerve is a major component of the cardiac neuroaxis, and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a promising application to restore autonomic function under various pathological conditions. VNS has led to encouraging results in animal models of CVDs, but its translation to clinical practice has not been equally successful, calling for more investigation to optimize this technique. Herein we reviewed the state of the art of VNS for CVDs and discuss avenues for therapeutic optimization. Firstly, we provided a succinct description of cardiac vagal innervation anatomy and physiology and principles of VNS. Then, we examined the main clinical applications of VNS in CVDs and the related open challenges. Finally, we presented preclinical studies that aim at overcoming VNS limitations through optimization of anatomical targets, development of novel neural interface technologies, and design of efficient VNS closed-loop protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Maria Ottaviani
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Excellence in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Vallone
- Department of Excellence in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvestro Micera
- Department of Excellence in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Translational Neural Engineering, Center for Neuroprosthetics, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Fabio A. Recchia
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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11
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Sant'Anna LB, Couceiro SLM, Ferreira EA, Sant'Anna MB, Cardoso PR, Mesquita ET, Sant'Anna GM, Sant'Anna FM. Vagal Neuromodulation in Chronic Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:766676. [PMID: 34901227 PMCID: PMC8652049 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.766676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of invasive vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Background: Heart failure is characterized by autonomic nervous system imbalance and electrical events that can lead to sudden death. The effects of parasympathetic (vagal) stimulation in patients with HF are not well-established. Methods: From May 1994 to July 2020, a systematic review was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for clinical trials, comparing VNS with medical therapy for the management of chronic HFrEF (EF ≤ 40%). A meta-analysis of several outcomes and adverse effects was completed, and GRADE was used to assess the level of evidence. Results: Four randomized controlled trials (RCT) and three prospective studies, totalizing 1,263 patients were identified; 756 treated with VNS and 507 with medical therapy. RCT data were included in the meta-analysis (fixed-effect distribution). Adverse effects related to VNS were observed in only 11% of patients. VNS was associated with significant improvement (GRADE = High) in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class (OR, 2.72, 95% CI: 2.07–3.57, p < 0.0001), quality of life (MD −14.18, 95% CI: −18.09 to −10.28, p < 0.0001), a 6-min walk test (MD, 55.46, 95% CI: 39.11–71.81, p < 0.0001) and NT-proBNP levels (MD −144.25, 95% CI: −238.31 to −50.18, p = 0.003). There was no difference in mortality (OR, 1.24; 95% CI: 0.82–1.89, p = 0.43). Conclusions: A high grade of evidence demonstrated that vagal nerve stimulation improves NYHA functional class, a 6-min walk test, quality of life, and NT-proBNP levels in patients with chronic HFrEF, with no differences in mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Bonacossa Sant'Anna
- Medical School, Department of Education and Graduation, Fundação Técnico-Educacional Souza Marques, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Eduardo Amar Ferreira
- Medical School, Department of Education and Graduation, Fundação Técnico-Educacional Souza Marques, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana Bonacossa Sant'Anna
- Medical School, Department of Education and Graduation, Fundação Técnico-Educacional Souza Marques, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pedro Rey Cardoso
- Medical School, Department of Education and Graduation, Fundação Técnico-Educacional Souza Marques, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Fernando Mendes Sant'Anna
- Hospital Santa Izabel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Department of Education and Graduation, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Zaehle T, Galazky I, Krauel K. The LC-NE system as a potential target for neuromodulation to ameliorate non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Auton Neurosci 2021; 236:102901. [PMID: 34757309 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with severe motor symptoms but also with several non-motor symptoms (NMS). A substantial reduction of norepinephrine (NE) levels in various brain regions reflecting an extensive loss of innervation from the LC has been assumed as causal for the development of NMS and specifically of attentional impairments in PD. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a new, non-invasive neurostimulation method supposed to modulate the LC-NE system in humans. In the current opinion paper, we introduce taVNS as a systemic approach to directly affect NE neurotransmission in healthy as well as clinical populations and discuss its potential as therapeutic option for the treatment of NMS, specifically attentional deficits, in patients with PD. Here, we first describe the LC-NE system and discuss how LC-NE dysfunction might affects cognition in PD before detailing the mode of action of taVNS and proposing its use to modulate cognitive deficits in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tino Zaehle
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg 39106, Germany
| | - Imke Galazky
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Krauel
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg 39106, Germany; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
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13
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Takahashi K, Khwaja IG, Schreyer JR, Bulmer D, Peiris M, Terai S, Aziz Q. Post-inflammatory Abdominal Pain in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease During Remission: A Comprehensive Review. CROHN'S & COLITIS 360 2021; 3:otab073. [PMID: 36777266 PMCID: PMC9802269 DOI: 10.1093/crocol/otab073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease often experience ongoing pain even after achieving mucosal healing (i.e., post-inflammatory pain). Factors related to the brain-gut axis, such as peripheral and central sensitization, altered sympatho-vagal balance, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation, and psychosocial factors, play a significant role in the development of post-inflammatory pain. A comprehensive study investigating the interaction between multiple predisposing factors, including clinical psycho-physiological phenotypes, molecular mechanisms, and multi-omics data, is still needed to fully understand the complex mechanism of post-inflammatory pain. Furthermore, current treatment options are limited and new treatments consistent with the underlying pathophysiology are needed to improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Takahashi
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Iman Geelani Khwaja
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jocelyn Rachel Schreyer
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - David Bulmer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Madusha Peiris
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Shuji Terai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Qasim Aziz
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A viable option? PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2021; 264:171-190. [PMID: 34167655 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) suffer from a range of cognitive and behavioral problems that severely impair their educational and occupational attainment. ADHD symptoms have been linked to structural and functional changes within and between different brain regions, particularly the prefrontal cortex. At the system level, reduced availability of the neurotransmitters dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) but also γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) have been repeatedly demonstrated. Recently, non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques have been explored as treatment alternatives to alter dysfunctional activation patterns in specified brain areas or networks. In the current paper, we introduce transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) as a systemic approach to directly affect NE and GABA neurotransmission. TVNS is a non-drug intervention with low risk and proven efficacy in improving cognitive particularly executive functions. It is easy to apply and therefore well-suited to provide home-based or mobile treatment options allowing a significant increase in treatment intensity and providing easier access to medical care for individuals who are unable to regularly visit a clinician. We describe in detail the underlying mechanisms of tVNS and current fields of application and discuss its potential as an adjuvant treatment for ADHD.
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15
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Gottfried-Blackmore A, Habtezion A, Nguyen L. Noninvasive vagal nerve stimulation for gastroenterology pain disorders. Pain Manag 2021; 11:89-96. [PMID: 33111642 PMCID: PMC7787175 DOI: 10.2217/pmt-2020-0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abdominal pain continues to be a major challenge and unmet need in clinical practice. Normalization of bidirectional gut-brain signaling has generated much interest as a therapeutic approach to treat chronic abdominal pain. Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is emerging as a potential non-pharmacologic strategy for the treatment of abdominal pain. In this review paper, we will summarize the etiologies of chronic pain in gastrointestinal disorders and discuss the rational for VNS as a therapeutic approach to chronic abdominal pain, with particular emphasis in the gammaCore stimulator which allows for noninvasive VNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Gottfried-Blackmore
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aida Habtezion
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Linda Nguyen
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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16
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Drewes AM, Brock C, Rasmussen SE, Møller HJ, Brock B, Deleuran BW, Farmer AD, Pfeiffer-Jensen M. Short-term transcutaneous non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation may reduce disease activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis: results of a pilot study. Scand J Rheumatol 2020; 50:20-27. [PMID: 33047630 DOI: 10.1080/03009742.2020.1764617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease. Studies suggest that pro-inflammatory cytokines may be attenuated by the vagus nerve through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. We aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of short-term transcutaneous non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (n-VNS) applied to the cervical vagus nerve in patients with RA. Method: We conducted a single-centre, open-label, preliminary proof-of-concept study of n-VNS in two cohorts of participants with RA: one with high disease activity (n = 16) and one with low disease activity (n = 20). Disease Activity Score based on 28-joint count-C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP), cardiac vagal tone, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured at baseline and after 1 and 4 days of n-VNS. Results: In the high disease activity group, n-VNS resulted in reductions in DAS28-CRP (4.1 to 3.8, p = 0.02), CRP (8.2 to 6 mg/mL, p = 0.01), and interferon-γ (29.8 to 22.5 pg/mL, p = 0.02). In the low disease activity group, there was no effect on DAS28-CRP, and n-VNS was associated with a decrease in cardiac vagal tone (p = 0.03) and a reduction in interleukin-10 (0.8 to 0.6 pg/mL, p = 0.02). Participants with high disease activity had lower baseline cardiac vagal tone than those with low disease activity (3.6 ± 2 vs 4.9 ± 3 linear vagal scale, p = 0.03). Cardiac vagal tone was negatively associated with DAS28-CRP (r = -0.37, p = 0.03). Overall, n-VNS was well tolerated. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary support for an anti-inflammatory effect of n-VNS in patients with RA. These findings warrant further investigation in larger placebo-controlled trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Drewes
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus, Denmark
| | - C Brock
- Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Institute, Aalborg University Hospital , Aalborg, Denmark
| | - S E Rasmussen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus, Denmark
| | - H J Møller
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus, Denmark
| | - B Brock
- Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen , Gentofte, Denmark
| | - B W Deleuran
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus, Denmark
| | - A D Farmer
- Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Institute, Aalborg University Hospital , Aalborg, Denmark.,Centre for Trauma and Neuroscience, Blizard Institute, Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London , London, UK.,Institute of Applied Clinical Sciences, University of Keele , Stoke on Trent, UK
| | - M Pfeiffer-Jensen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus, Denmark
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18
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Butt MF, Albusoda A, Farmer AD, Aziz Q. The anatomical basis for transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation. J Anat 2019; 236:588-611. [PMID: 31742681 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The array of end organ innervations of the vagus nerve, coupled with increased basic science evidence, has led to vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) being explored as a management option in a number of clinical disorders, such as heart failure, migraine and inflammatory bowel disease. Both invasive (surgically implanted) and non-invasive (transcutaneous) techniques of VNS exist. Transcutaneous VNS (tVNS) delivery systems rely on the cutaneous distribution of vagal afferents, either at the external ear (auricular branch of the vagus nerve) or at the neck (cervical branch of the vagus nerve), thus obviating the need for surgical implantation of a VNS delivery device and facilitating further investigations across a wide range of uses. The concept of electrically stimulating the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN), which provides somatosensory innervation to several aspects of the external ear, is relatively more recent compared with cervical VNS; thus, there is a relative paucity of literature surrounding its operation and functionality. Despite the increasing body of research exploring the therapeutic uses of auricular transcutaneous VNS (tVNS), a comprehensive review of the cutaneous, intracranial and central distribution of ABVN fibres has not been conducted to date. A review of the literature exploring the neuroanatomical basis of this neuromodulatory therapy is therefore timely. Our review article explores the neuroanatomy of the ABVN with reference to (1) clinical surveys examining Arnold's reflex, (2) cadaveric studies, (3) fMRI studies, (4) electrophysiological studies, (5) acupuncture studies, (6) retrograde tracing studies and (7) studies measuring changes in autonomic (cardiovascular) parameters in response to auricular tVNS. We also provide an overview of the fibre composition of the ABVN and the effects of auricular tVNS on the central nervous system. Cadaveric studies, of which a limited number exist in the literature, would be the 'gold-standard' approach to studying the cutaneous map of the ABVN; thus, there is a need for more such studies to be conducted. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) represents a useful surrogate modality for discerning the auricular sites most likely innervated by the ABVN and the most promising locations for auricular tVNS. However, given the heterogeneity in the results of such investigations and the various limitations of using fMRI, the current literature lacks a clear consensus on the auricular sites that are most densely innervated by the ABVN and whether the brain regions secondarily activated by electrical auricular tVNS depend on specific parameters. At present, it is reasonable to surmise that the concha and inner tragus are suitable locations for vagal modulation. Given the therapeutic potential of auricular tVNS, there remains a need for the cutaneous map of the ABVN to be further refined and the effects of various stimulation parameters and stimulation sites to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsin F Butt
- The Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology, The Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Whitechapel, London, UK
| | - Ahmed Albusoda
- The Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology, The Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Whitechapel, London, UK
| | - Adam D Farmer
- Institute of Applied Clinical Sciences, University of Keele, Keele, UK.,Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, Stoke on Trent, UK
| | - Qasim Aziz
- The Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology, The Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Whitechapel, London, UK
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Mogilevski T, Burgell R, Aziz Q, Gibson PR. Review article: the role of the autonomic nervous system in the pathogenesis and therapy of IBD. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2019; 50:720-737. [PMID: 31418887 DOI: 10.1111/apt.15433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing body of evidence implicating a role for the brain-gut axis in the pathogenesis of inflammation in patients with IBD. AIMS To perform a narrative review of published literature regarding the association of the autonomic nervous system and intestinal inflammation and to describe the rationale for and emerging use of autonomic manipulation as a therapeutic agent METHODS: Current relevant literature was summarised and critically examined. RESULTS There is substantial pre-clinical and clinical evidence for a multifaceted anti-inflammatory effect of the vagus at both systemic and local intestinal levels. It acts via acetylcholine-mediated activation of α-7-acetylcholine receptors involving multiple cell types in innate and adaptive immunity and the enteric nervous system with subsequent protective influences on the intestinal barrier, inflammatory mechanisms and the microbiome. In patients with IBD, there is evidence for a sympatho-vagal imbalance, functional enteric neuronal depletion and hyporeactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Direct or transcutaneous vagal neuromodulation up-regulates the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in pre-clinical and clinical models with down-regulation of systemic and local intestinal inflammation. This is supported by two small studies in Crohn's disease although remains to be investigated in ulcerative colitis. CONCLUSIONS Modulating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway influences inflammation both systemically and at a local intestinal level. It represents a potentially underutilised anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategy. Given the likely pathogenic role of the autonomic nervous system in patients with IBD, vagal neuromodulation, an apparently safe and successful means of increasing vagal tone, warrants further clinical exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Mogilevski
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology, London, UK.,Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK.,Department of Gastroenterology, Monash University and Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rebecca Burgell
- Department of Gastroenterology, Monash University and Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Qasim Aziz
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology, London, UK.,Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Peter R Gibson
- Department of Gastroenterology, Monash University and Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
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Polster A, Friberg P, Gunterberg V, Öhman L, Le Nevé B, Törnblom H, Cvijovic M, Simren M. Heart rate variability characteristics of patients with irritable bowel syndrome and associations with symptoms. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2018; 30:e13320. [PMID: 29575352 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disturbed brain-gut interactions are assumed to be of importance for symptom generation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is part of the bidirectional brain-gut communication, but previous studies in IBS show diverging results. We aimed to identify subgroups of IBS patients with distinct ANS characteristics differentiating them from healthy controls (HC), and to study associations between ANS status and symptoms. METHODS Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured in IBS patients and HC (Holter monitoring: supine and standing positions with controlled respiration and ambulatory 24-hour period). Frequency (5 minutes, supine, standing) and time domains (24 hours, day, night) were analyzed. Validated questionnaires were used to measure gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms in patients. Patients and HC were compared on a univariate and multivariate level (principal component analysis [PCA] and orthogonal partial least squares discriminatory analysis (OPLS-DA)). KEY RESULTS We analyzed 158 IBS patients (Rome III) and 39 HC. Patients differed significantly from HC in HRV parameters during daytime and in standing position. In the PCA, a majority of patients overlapped with HC, but the weighted means differed (P < .01). A subset of patients (n = 30; 19%) with an aberrant global HRV profile was identified through PCA and OPLS-DA; these patients reported more severe symptoms of frequent (P < .05) and loose stools (P = .03), as well as urgency (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES Altered ANS function was demonstrated in patients with IBS, and this might be of particular relevance for symptoms in a subset of the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Polster
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - P Friberg
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - V Gunterberg
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - L Öhman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - B Le Nevé
- Danone Nutricia Research, Palaiseau, France
| | - H Törnblom
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - M Cvijovic
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology and Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - M Simren
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.,Center for Functional Gastrointestinal and Motility Disorders, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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What drives the hypoalgesic effect of neurostimulation? Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 3:13. [PMID: 29254614 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(17)30364-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Pronociceptive effects mediated by adenosinergic A2A activity at the nucleus accumbens, but what about the autonomic nervous system? Pain 2018; 159:997. [PMID: 29672454 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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24
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Rasmussen SE, Pfeiffer-Jensen M, Drewes AM, Farmer AD, Deleuran BW, Stengaard-Pedersen K, Brock B, Brock C. Vagal influences in rheumatoid arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol 2017; 47:1-11. [PMID: 28766392 DOI: 10.1080/03009742.2017.1314001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease with a prevalence of 0.5-1% in Western populations. Conventionally, it is treated with therapeutic interventions that include corticosteroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and biological agents. RA exerts a significant socio-economic burden and despite the use of existing treatments some patients end up with disabling symptoms. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a brain-body interface that serves to regulate homeostasis by integrating the external environment with the internal milieu. The main neural substrate of the parasympathetic branch of the ANS is the vagus nerve (VN). The discovery of the role of the ANS and the VN in mediating and dampening the inflammatory response has led to the proposal that modulation of neural circuits may serve as a valuable therapeutic tool. Recent studies have explored the role of the VN in this inflammatory reflex and have provided evidence that stimulation may represent a novel new therapeutic intervention. Accumulating evidence suggests that modulation of the parasympathetic tone results in a broad physiological multi-level response, including decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine response in terms of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1 (IL-1), and IL-6, and may result in an enhanced macrophage switch from M1 to M2 cells and potentially an increased level of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Therefore, therapeutic electrical modulation of the VN may serve as an alternative, non-pharmacological, neuroimmunomodulatory intervention in RA in the future. This review gives a focused introduction to the mechanistic link between the ANS and the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Rasmussen
- a Department of Rheumatology , Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus , Denmark
| | - M Pfeiffer-Jensen
- a Department of Rheumatology , Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus , Denmark
| | - A M Drewes
- a Department of Rheumatology , Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus , Denmark
| | - A D Farmer
- b Department of Gastroenterology , University Hospitals of North Midlands , Stoke on Trent , UK.,c Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology , Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London , London , UK.,d Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Aalborg University Hospital, and Clinical Institute, Aalborg University , Aalborg , Denmark
| | - B W Deleuran
- a Department of Rheumatology , Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus , Denmark
| | | | - B Brock
- e Department of Clinical Biochemistry , Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus , Denmark
| | - C Brock
- a Department of Rheumatology , Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus , Denmark.,d Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , Aalborg University Hospital, and Clinical Institute, Aalborg University , Aalborg , Denmark.,f Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark
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