vagus nerve stimulation

Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Arousal State and Cortical Excitation

The vagus nerve is a major pathway by which the brain and the body communicate. Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve (VNS) is widely used as a therapeutic intervention for epilepsy and there is compelling evidence that it can enhance recovery following stroke. Our work demonstrates that VNS exerts a robust excitatory effect on the brain. First, we establish that VNS triggers an increase in arousal state as measured by behavioral state change. This behavioral state change is linked to an increase in excitatory activity within the cortex. We also show that cholinergic and noradrenergic neuromodulatory pathways are activated by VNS, providing a potential mechanism by which VNS may trigger cortical activation. Importantly, the effect of VNS on neuromodulation and cortical excitation persists in anesthetized mice, demonstrating that VNS-induced cortical activation cannot be fully explained by associated behavioral changes.

Hippocampal synaptic plasticity mediates vagus nerve stimulation induced cognitive enhancement in healthy male rats

Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation decreases heart rate variability in a hungry state

Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation reduces wanting of a palatable chocolate drink

Vagus nerve stimulation reduces disease in rodent model of multiple sclerosis

Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation normalizes psychoemotional state shifting “sympatho-vagal balance”

FENS Forum 2024

Rhythm of the body, rhythm of the brain: Exploring the relationship between interoception and time perception through transauricular vagus nerve stimulation

FENS Forum 2024

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) as a therapeutic approach towards the functional deterioration of the locus coeruleus–noradrenergic system

FENS Forum 2024