Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation reduces pain and fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot trial

2020 ◽  
pp. annrheumdis-2020-217872
Author(s):  
Cynthia Aranow ◽  
Yemil Atish-Fregoso ◽  
Martin Lesser ◽  
Meggan Mackay ◽  
Erik Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Musculoskeletal Pain ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Physician Global Assessment ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Double Blind

ObjectivesMusculoskeletal pain and fatigue are common features in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is a physiological mechanism diminishing inflammation, engaged by stimulating the vagus nerve. We evaluated the effects of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation in patients with SLE and with musculoskeletal pain.Methods18 patients with SLE and with musculoskeletal pain ≥4 on a 10 cm Visual Analogue Scale were randomised (2:1) in this double-blind study to receive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) or sham stimulation (SS) for 4 consecutive days. Evaluations at baseline, day 5 and day 12 included patient assessments of pain, disease activity (PtGA) and fatigue. Tender and swollen joint counts and the Physician Global Assessment (PGA) were completed by a physician blinded to the patient’s therapy. Potential biomarkers were evaluated.ResultstaVNS and SS were well tolerated. Subjects receiving taVNS had a significant decrease in pain and fatigue compared with SS and were more likely (OR=25, p=0.02) to experience a clinically significant reduction in pain. PtGA, joint counts and PGA also improved. Pain reduction and improvement of fatigue correlated with the cumulative current received. In general, responses were maintained through day 12. Plasma levels of substance P were significantly reduced at day 5 compared with baseline following taVNS but other neuropeptides, serum and whole blood-stimulated inflammatory mediators, and kynurenine metabolites showed no significant change at days 5 or 12 compared with baseline.ConclusiontaVNS resulted in significantly reduced pain, fatigue and joint scores in SLE. Additional studies evaluating this intervention and its mechanisms are warranted.

scholarly journals Overview of therapeutic applications of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation: a motivation for novel treatments for systemic lupus erythematosus

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charrise M. Ramkissoon ◽  
Amparo Güemes ◽  
Josep Vehi
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Autoimmune Disorder ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
The Impact

AbstractSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder that commonly affects the skin, joints, kidneys, and central nervous system. Although great progress has been made over the years, patients still experience unfavorable secondary effects from medications, increased economic burden, and higher mortality rates compared to the general population. To alleviate these current problems, non-invasive, non-pharmacological interventions are being increasingly investigated. One such intervention is non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation, which promotes the upregulation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway that reduces the activation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species, culpable processes in autoimmune diseases such as SLE. This review first provides a background on the important contribution of the autonomic nervous system to the pathogenesis of SLE. The gross and structural anatomy of the vagus nerve and its contribution to the inflammatory response are described afterwards to provide a general understanding of the impact of stimulating the vagus nerve. Finally, an overview of current clinical applications of invasive and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for a variety of diseases, including those with similar symptoms to the ones in SLE, is presented and discussed. Overall, the review presents neuromodulation as a promising strategy to alleviate SLE symptoms and potentially reverse the disease.

scholarly journals Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation in a Murine Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keisa W. Mathis ◽  
Harald Stauss ◽  
Grace S. Pham ◽  
Suhhyun S. Kim ◽  
Denis V. Kulp
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Murine Model ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Systemic Lupus

scholarly journals Safety and efficacy of intravenous belimumab in children with systemic lupus erythematosus: results from a randomised, placebo-controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (10) ◽  
pp. 1340-1348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hermine I Brunner ◽  
Carlos Abud-Mendoza ◽  
Diego O Viola ◽  
Inmaculada Calvo Penades ◽  
Deborah Levy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Statistical Testing ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Double Blind

ObjectivesThis ongoing Phase-2, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study evaluated the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of intravenous belimumab in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE).MethodsPatients (5 to 17 years) were randomised to belimumab 10 mg/kg intravenous or placebo every 4 weeks, plus standard SLE therapy. Primary endpoint: SLE Responder Index (SRI4) response rate (Week 52). Key major secondary endpoints: proportion of patients achieving the Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation/American College of Rheumatology (PRINTO/ACR) response using 50 and ‘30 alternative’ definitions (Week 52), and sustained response (Weeks 44 to 52) by SRI4 and Parent Global Assessment of well-being (Parent-global). Safety and pharmacokinetics were assessed. Study not powered for statistical testing.ResultsNinety-three patients were randomised (belimumab, n=53; placebo, n=40). At Week 52, there were numerically more SRI4 responders with belimumab versus placebo (52.8% vs 43.6%; OR 1.49 (95% CI 0.64 to 3.46)). PRINTO/ACR 30 alternative (52.8% vs 27.5%; OR 2.92 (95% CI 1.19 to 7.17)) and PRINTO/ACR 50 (60.4% vs 35.0%; OR 2.74 (95% CI 1.15 to 6.54)) responses were more frequent with belimumab than placebo, as were sustained responses for SRI4 (belimumab, 43.4%; placebo, 41.0%; OR 1.08 (95% CI 0.46 to 2.52)) and Parent-global (belimumab, 59.1%; placebo, 33.3%; OR 3.49 (95% CI 1.23 to 9.91)). Serious adverse events were reported in 17.0% of belimumab patients and 35.0% of placebo patients; one death occurred (placebo). Week-52, geometric mean (95% CI) belimumab trough concentration was 56.2 (45.2 to 69.8) µg/mL.ConclusionThe belimumab intravenous pharmacokinetics and benefit–risk profile in cSLE are consistent with adult belimumab studies and the 10 mg/kg every 4 weeks dose is appropriate.Trial registration numberNCT01649765.

scholarly journals Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Modulates EEG Microstates and Delta Activity in Healthy Subjects

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 668
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Ricci ◽  
Pierpaolo Croce ◽  
Jacopo Lanzone ◽  
Marilisa Boscarino ◽  
Filippo Zappasodi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Spectrum ◽  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Experimental Session ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Diseases ◽  
Delta Activity

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is an alternative non-invasive method for the electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve with the goal of treating several neuropsychiatric disorders. The objective of this study is to assess the effects of tVNS on cerebral cortex activity in healthy volunteers using resting-state microstates and power spectrum electroencephalography (EEG) analysis. Eight male subjects aged 25–45 years were recruited in this randomized sham-controlled double-blind study with cross-over design. Real tVNS was administered at the left external acoustic meatus, while sham stimulation was performed at the left ear lobe, both of them for 60 min. The EEG recording lasted 5 min and was performed before and 60 min following the tVNS experimental session. We observed that real tVNS induced an increase in the metrics of microstate A mean duration (p = 0.039) and an increase in EEG power spectrum activity in the delta frequency band (p < 0.01). This study confirms that tVNS is an effective way to stimulate the vagus nerve, and the mechanisms of action of this activation can be successfully studied using scalp EEG quantitative metrics. Future studies are warranted to explore the clinical implications of these findings and to focus the research of the prognostic biomarkers of tVNS therapy for neuropsychiatric diseases.

Pneumococcal vaccination in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A multicenter placebo-controlled randomized double-blind study

Vaccine ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (37) ◽  
pp. 4877-4885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Grabar ◽  
Matthieu Groh ◽  
Mathilde Bahuaud ◽  
Véronique Le Guern ◽  
Nathalie Costedoat-Chalumeau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Pneumococcal Vaccination ◽  
Blind Study ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Double Blind

scholarly journals Phase 1 double-blind randomized safety trial of the Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib in systemic lupus erythematosus

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarfaraz A. Hasni ◽  
Sarthak Gupta ◽  
Michael Davis ◽  
Elaine Poncio ◽  
Yenealem Temesgen-Oyelakin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Janus Kinase ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Type I ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Premature Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Increased Risk

AbstractIncreased risk of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well recognized in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Aberrant type I-Interferon (IFN)-neutrophil interactions contribute to this enhanced CVD risk. In lupus animal models, the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib improves clinical features, immune dysregulation and vascular dysfunction. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of tofacitinib in SLE subjects (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02535689). In this study, 30 subjects are randomized to tofacitinib (5 mg twice daily) or placebo in 2:1 block. The primary outcome of this study is safety and tolerability of tofacitinib. The secondary outcomes include clinical response and mechanistic studies. The tofacitinib is found to be safe in SLE meeting study’s primary endpoint. We also show that tofacitinib improves cardiometabolic and immunologic parameters associated with the premature atherosclerosis in SLE. Tofacitinib improves high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (p = 0.0006, CI 95%: 4.12, 13.32) and particle number (p = 0.0008, CI 95%: 1.58, 5.33); lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase concentration (p = 0.024, CI 95%: 1.1, −26.5), cholesterol efflux capacity (p = 0.08, CI 95%: −0.01, 0.24), improvements in arterial stiffness and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and decrease in type I IFN gene signature, low-density granulocytes and circulating NETs. Some of these improvements are more robust in subjects with STAT4 risk allele.

Abstract TP146: Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired With Rehabilitation To Improve Upper Limb Function

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse Dawson ◽  
Theresa J Kimberley ◽  
Gerard E Francisco ◽  
Patricia Smith ◽  
Steven C Cramer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Human Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Upper Limb Function ◽  
Significant Difference

Introduction: Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitation induces movement specific plasticity in rat motor cortex and improves forepaw function in a rat ischemic model compared to rehabilitation alone. A 20 subject first-in-human study in the UK indicated acceptable safety and feasibility of this approach in patients with arm weakness after stroke and showed a significant difference in favour of VNS paired with rehabilitation in the per-protocol analysis (Upper Extremity Fugl Meyer difference of 9.6 points for VNS vs. 3.0 Control; p = 0.038). We conducted a new, double-blind sham controlled study to further assess this technique. Methods: Subjects with chronic moderate to severe upper extremity hemiparesis secondary to ischemic stroke (Upper Extremity Fugl Meyer (UEFM) 20-50) were enrolled at four sites (3 US, 1 UK). After baseline assessments subjects were implanted with a vagus nerve stimulation device if all eligibility criteria were met. Following implantation, randomization was made to either paired VNS (1/2 second, 30 Hz., 0.8 mA, 100 uS stimulation with task-specific movement) or sham control (stimulation only on first 5 movements). All received the same intensive and task-specific rehabilitation and had 18 treatment sessions (2-hourly, 3 times a week for 6-weeks, approximately 50 repetitions per task and 300 to 400 repetition movements per session). Outcomes were assessed on the first and 30 th day following completion of the 6-week therapy course. Results: Sixteen patients (8 female) were implanted (8 VNS, 8 Control). Mean age (SD) was 63.2(6.9), with an average (SD) of 21.7 months (12.9) post stroke. One study related serious adverse event was reported (a wound infection that resolved with IV antibiotics). Blinded results (change in UEFM, WMFT, and UEFM responders for both groups) will be available and presented. Conclusions: A pivotal study of VNS paired with rehabilitation movements will be justified if preliminary results are confirmed.

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