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Lee YS, Kim WJ, Shim M, Hong KH, Choi H, Song JJ, Hwang HJ. Investigating neuromodulatory effect of transauricular vagus nerve stimulation on resting-state electroencephalography. Biomed Eng Lett 2024; 14:677-687. [PMID: 38946812 PMCID: PMC11208373 DOI: 10.1007/s13534-024-00361-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the neuromodulatory effects of transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) and determine optimal taVNS duration to induce the meaningful neuromodulatroty effects using resting-state electroencephalography (EEG). Method: Fifteen participants participated in this study and taVNS was applied to the cymba conchae for a duration of 40 min. Resting-state EEG was measured before and during taVNS application. EEG power spectral density (PSD) and brain network indices (clustering coefficient and path length) were calculated across five frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma), respectively, to assess the neuromodulatory effect of taVNS. Moreover, we divided the whole brain region into the five regions of interest (frontal, central, left temporal, right temporal, and occipital) to confirm the neuromodulation effect on each specific brain region. Result: Our results demonstrated a significant increase in EEG frequency powers across all five frequency bands during taVNS. Furthermore, significant changes in network indices were observed in the theta and gamma bands compared to the pre-taVNS measurements. These effects were particularly pronounced after approximately 10 min of stimulation, with a more dominant impact observed after approximately 20-30 min of taVNS application. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that taVNS can effectively modulate the brain activity, thereby exerting significant effects on brain characteristics. Moreover, taVNS duration of approximately 20-30 min was considered appropriate for inducing a stable and efficient neuromodulatory effects. Consequently, these findings have the potential to contribute to research aimed at enhancing cognitive and motor functions through the modulation of EEG using taVNS. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13534-024-00361-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Sung Lee
- Department of Electronics and Information, Korea University, Sejong, 30019 Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program for Artificial Intelligence Smart Convergence Technology, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Jin Kim
- Department of Electronics and Information, Korea University, Sejong, 30019 Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program for Artificial Intelligence Smart Convergence Technology, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea
| | - Miseon Shim
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Tech University of Korea, Siheung, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Hwan Hong
- Neurive Co., Ltd, Gimhae, 50969 Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuk Choi
- Neurive Co., Ltd, Gimhae, 50969 Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 028411 Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Jun Song
- Neurive Co., Ltd, Gimhae, 50969 Republic of Korea
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, 08308 Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Jeong Hwang
- Department of Electronics and Information, Korea University, Sejong, 30019 Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program for Artificial Intelligence Smart Convergence Technology, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea
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Décarie-Spain L, Hayes AMR, Lauer LT, Kanoski SE. The gut-brain axis and cognitive control: A role for the vagus nerve. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 156:201-209. [PMID: 36803834 PMCID: PMC10427741 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Survival requires the integration of external information and interoceptive cues to effectively guide advantageous behaviors, particularly foraging and other behaviors that promote energy acquisition and consumption. The vagus nerve acts as a critical relay between the abdominal viscera and the brain to convey metabolic signals. This review synthesizes recent findings from rodent models and humans revealing the impact of vagus nerve signaling from the gut on the control of higher-order neurocognitive domains, including anxiety, depression, reward motivation, and learning and memory. We propose a framework where meal consumption engages gastrointestinal tract-originating vagal afferent signaling that functions to alleviate anxiety and depressive-like states, while also promoting motivational and memory functions. These concurrent processes serve to favor the encoding of meal-relevant information into memory storage, thus facilitating future foraging behaviors. Modulation of these neurocognitive domains by vagal tone is also discussed in the context of pathological conditions, including the use of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and dementia-associated memory impairments. Collectively, these findings highlight the contributions of gastrointestinal vagus nerve signaling to the regulation of neurocognitive processes that shape various adaptive behavioral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Décarie-Spain
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Anna M R Hayes
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Logan Tierno Lauer
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Scott E Kanoski
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, 3641Watt Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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Shi X, Zhao L, Luo H, Deng H, Wang X, Ren G, Zhang L, Tao Q, Liang S, Liu N, Huang X, Zhang X, Yang X, Sun J, Qin W, Kang X, Han Y, Pan Y, Fan D. Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation Is Effective for the Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia: A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Study. Am J Gastroenterol 2024; 119:521-531. [PMID: 37787432 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) can be used to modulate gastrointestinal motility, inflammation, and nociception. However, it remains unclear whether VNS is effective in adult patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). We investigated the effectiveness of transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS) in patients with FD. METHODS Consecutive patients with FD meeting Rome IV criteria with modified FD Symptom Diary score ≥10 were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated to 10-Hz taVNS (V10 group), 25-Hz taVNS (V25 group), or sham group, with 30 minutes of treatment twice a day for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the response rate at week 4, defined as the proportion of patients whose modified FD Symptom Diary score was reduced ≥5 when compared with the baseline. Secondary outcomes included adequate relief rate and adverse events. RESULTS A total of 300 patients were randomized to V10 (n = 101), V25 (n = 99), and sham groups (n = 100). After 4 weeks of treatment, V10 and V25 groups had a higher response rate (81.2% vs 75.9% vs 47%, both P < 0.001) and adequate relief rate (85.1% vs 80.8% vs 67%, both P < 0.05) compared with the sham group. There was no significant difference between V10 and V25 in response rate and adequate relief rate (both P > 0.05). The efficacy of taVNS (both 10 and 25 Hz) lasted at week 8 and week 12 during follow-up period. Adverse events were all mild and comparable among the 3 groups (1%-3%). DISCUSSION Our study firstly showed that 4-week taVNS (both 10 and 25 Hz) was effective and safe for the treatment of adult FD ( clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT04668534).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lina Zhao
- Department of Radiotherapy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hui Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hui Deng
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of Ministry of Education, Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation and Transformation Joint Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiangping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Gui Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Linhui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qin Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shuhui Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaojun Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyin Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Clinical Research Center of Infectious Disease, The Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuejuan Yang
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of Ministry of Education, Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation and Transformation Joint Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jinbo Sun
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of Ministry of Education, Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation and Transformation Joint Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wei Qin
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of Ministry of Education, Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation and Transformation Joint Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaoyu Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ying Han
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yanglin Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Daiming Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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Tian QQ, Cheng C, Liu PH, Yin ZX, Zhang MK, Cui YP, Zhao R, Deng H, Lu LM, Tang CZ, Xu NG, Yang XJ, Sun JB, Qin W. Combined effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation and 0.1 Hz slow-paced breathing on working memory. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1133964. [PMID: 36968483 PMCID: PMC10034029 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1133964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundPrevious research has found that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can improve working memory (WM) performance. It has also been shown that 0.1 Hz slow-paced breathing (SPB, i.e., breathing at a rate of approximately 6 breaths/min) can significantly influence physical state and cognitive function via changes in autonomic afferent activity. In the present study, we investigated the synergistic effects of taVNS and SPB on WM performance.MethodsA total of 96 healthy people participated in this within-subjects experiment involving four conditions, namely taVNS, SPB, combined taVNS with SPB (taVNS + SPB), and sham. Each participant underwent each intervention for 30 min and WM was compared pre- and post-intervention using the spatial and digit n-back tasks in a random order four times. Permutation-based analysis of variance was used to assess the interaction between time and intervention.ResultsFor the spatial 3-back task, a significant interaction between time and intervention was found for the accuracy rate of matching trials (mACC, p = 0.03). Post hoc analysis suggested that both taVNS and taVNS + SPB improved WM performance, however, no significant difference was found in the SPB or sham groups.ConclusionThis study has replicated the effects of taVNS on WM performance reported in previous studies. However, the synergistic effects of combined taVNS and SPB warrant further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Qian Tian
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chen Cheng
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Peng-Hui Liu
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zi-Xin Yin
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Meng-Kai Zhang
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ya-Peng Cui
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rui Zhao
- School of Electronics and Information, Xi’an Polytechnic University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Deng
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Guangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Li-Ming Lu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chun-Zhi Tang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Neng-Gui Xu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue-Juan Yang
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Guangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Xue-Juan Yang,
| | - Jin-Bo Sun
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Guangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- *Correspondence: Jin-Bo Sun,
| | - Wei Qin
- Intelligent Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Guangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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Transcutaneous auricular vagus stimulation (taVNS) improves human working memory performance under sleep deprivation stress. Behav Brain Res 2023; 439:114247. [PMID: 36473677 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Many human activities require high cognitive performance over long periods, while impairments induced by sleep deprivation influence various aspects of cognitive abilities, including working memory (WM), attention, and processing speed. Based on previous research, vagal nerve stimulation can modulate cognitive abilities, attention, and arousal. Two experiments were conducted to assess the efficacy of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to relieve the deleterious effects of sleep deprivation. In the first experiment, 35 participants completed N-back tasks at 8:00 a.m. for two consecutive days in a within-subject study. Then, the participants received either taVNS or earlobe stimulation (active control) intervention in two sessions at random orders after 24 h of sustained wakefulness. Then, they completed the N-back tasks again. In the second experiment, 30 participants completed the psychomotor vigilance task (PVT), and 32 completed the N-back tasks at 8:00 a.m. on the first and second days. Then, they received either taVNS or earlobe stimulation at random orders and finished the N-back and PVT tasks immediately after one hour. In Experiment 1, taVNS could significantly improve the accuracy rate of participants in spatial 3-back tasks compared to active control, which was consistent with experiment 2. However, taVNS did not specifically enhance PVT performance. Therefore, taVNS could be a powerful intervention for acute sleep deprivation as it can improve performance on high cognitive load tasks and is easy to administer.
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Zhao R, He ZY, Cheng C, Tian QQ, Cui YP, Chang MY, Wang FM, Kong Y, Deng H, Yang XJ, Sun JB. Assessing the Effect of Simultaneous Combining of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on the Improvement of Working Memory Performance in Healthy Individuals. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:947236. [PMID: 35928012 PMCID: PMC9344917 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.947236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A previous study found that combining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) could evoke significantly larger activation on a range of cortical and subcortical brain regions than the numerical summation of tDCS and taVNS effects. In this study, two within-subject experiments were employed to investigate its effects on working memory (WM). In experiment 1, the WM modulatory effects of tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), taVNS, and simultaneous joint simulation of tDCS over the left DLPFC and taVNS (SJS-L) were compared among 60 healthy subjects. They received these three interventions between the baseline test and post-test in a random manner three times. In spatial 3-back task, there was a significant interaction between time and stimulations in the accuracy rate of matching trials (mACC, p=0.018). MACCs were significantly improved by SJS (p = 0.001) and taVNS (p = 0.045), but not by tDCS (p = 0.495). Moreover, 41 subjects in the SJS group showed improvement, which was significantly larger than that in the taVNS group (29 subjects) and tDCS group (26 subjects). To further investigate the generalization effects of SJS, 72 students were recruited in experiment 2. They received tDCS over the right DLPFC, taVNS, simultaneous joint simulation of tDCS over the right DLPFC and taVNS (SJS-R), and sham stimulation in a random manner four times. No significant results were found, but there was a tendency similar to experiment 1 in the spatial 3-back task. In conclusion, combining tDCS and taVNS might be a potential non-invasive neuromodulation technique which is worthy of study in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhao
- School of Electronics and Information, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhao-Yang He
- School of Electronics and Information, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chen Cheng
- Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qian-Qian Tian
- Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ya-Peng Cui
- Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Meng-Ying Chang
- School of Electronics and Information, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fu-Min Wang
- School of Electronics and Information, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yao Kong
- School of Electronics and Information, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hui Deng
- Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- Guangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xue-Juan Yang
- Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- Guangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jin-Bo Sun
- Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- Guangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
- *Correspondence: Jin-Bo Sun
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Dolphin H, Dukelow T, Finucane C, Commins S, McElwaine P, Kennelly SP. “The Wandering Nerve Linking Heart and Mind” – The Complementary Role of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Modulating Neuro-Cardiovascular and Cognitive Performance. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:897303. [PMID: 35784842 PMCID: PMC9245542 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.897303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the human body, providing afferent information about visceral sensation, integrity and somatic sensations to the CNS via brainstem nuclei to subcortical and cortical structures. Its efferent arm influences GI motility and secretion, cardiac ionotropy, chonotropy and heart rate variability, blood pressure responses, bronchoconstriction and modulates gag and cough responses via palatine and pharyngeal innervation. Vagus nerve stimulation has been utilized as a successful treatment for intractable epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression, and new non-invasive transcutaneous (t-VNS) devices offer equivalent therapeutic potential as invasive devices without the surgical risks. t-VNS offers exciting potential as a therapeutic intervention in cognitive decline and aging populations, classically affected by reduced cerebral perfusion by modulating both limbic and frontal cortical structures, regulating cerebral perfusion and improving parasympathetic modulation of the cardiovascular system. In this narrative review we summarize the research to date investigating the cognitive effects of VNS therapy, and its effects on neurocardiovascular stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Dolphin
- Department of Age-Related Healthcare, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- *Correspondence: Helena Dolphin,
| | - Tim Dukelow
- Department of Age-Related Healthcare, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ciaran Finucane
- Department of Medical Physics, St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean Commins
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Paul McElwaine
- Department of Age-Related Healthcare, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean P. Kennelly
- Department of Age-Related Healthcare, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Vargas-Caballero M, Warming H, Walker R, Holmes C, Cruickshank G, Patel B. Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Potential Therapy in Early Alzheimer's Disease: A Review. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:866434. [PMID: 35572001 PMCID: PMC9098960 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.866434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is caused by disturbances in neuronal circuits of the brain underpinned by synapse loss, neuronal dysfunction and neuronal death. Amyloid beta and tau protein cause these pathological changes and enhance neuroinflammation, which in turn modifies disease progression and severity. Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS), via activation of the locus coeruleus (LC), results in the release of catecholamines in the hippocampus and neocortex, which can enhance synaptic plasticity and reduce inflammatory signalling. Vagal nerve stimulation has shown promise to enhance cognitive ability in animal models. Research in rodents has shown that VNS can have positive effects on basal synaptic function and synaptic plasticity, tune inflammatory signalling, and limit the accumulation of amyloid plaques. Research in humans with invasive and non-invasive VNS devices has shown promise for the modulation of cognition. However, the direct stimulation of the vagus nerve afforded with the invasive procedure carries surgical risks. In contrast, non-invasive VNS has the potential to be a broadly available therapy to manage cognitive symptoms in early AD, however, the magnitude and specificity of its effects remains to be elucidated, and the non-inferiority of the effects of non-invasive VNS as compared with invasive VNS still needs to be established. Ongoing clinical trials with healthy individuals and patients with early AD will provide valuable information to clarify the potential benefits of non-invasive VNS in cognition and AD. Whether invasive or non-invasive VNS can produce a significant improvement on memory function and whether its effects can modify the progression of AD will require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannah Warming
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Walker
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Clive Holmes
- Memory Assessment and Research Centre, Southern Health Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Garth Cruickshank
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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