scholarly journals Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Improves Spatial Working Memory in Healthy Young Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Bo Sun ◽  
Chen Cheng ◽  
Qian-Qian Tian ◽  
Hang Yuan ◽  
Xue-Juan Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Significant Stimulation ◽  
Core Components ◽  
Higher Cognitive Functions ◽  
Back Task

Working memory (WM) is one of the core components of higher cognitive functions. There exists debate regarding the extent to which current techniques can enhance human WM capacity. Here, we examined the WM modulation effects of a previously less studied technique, transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). In experiment 1, a within-subject study, we aimed to investigate whether and which stimulation protocols of taVNS can modulate spatial WM performance in healthy adults. Forty-eight participants performed baseline spatial n-back tasks (1, 3-back) and then received online taVNS, offline taVNS, or sham stimulation before or during (online group) the posttest of spatial n-back tasks in random order. Results showed that offline taVNS could significantly increase hits in spatial 3-back task, whereas no effect was found in online taVNS or sham group. No significant taVNS effects were found on correct rejections or reaction time of accurate trials (aRT) in both online and offline protocols. To replicate the results found in experiment 1 and further investigate the generalization effect of offline taVNS, we carried out experiment 2. Sixty participants were recruited and received offline taVNS or offline earlobe stimulation in random order between baseline and posttests of behavioral tests (spatial/digit 3-back tasks). Results replicated the findings; offline taVNS could improve hits but not correct rejections or aRT in spatial WM performance, which were found in experiment 1. However, there were no significant stimulation effects on digit 3-back task. Overall, the findings suggest that offline taVNS has potential on modulating WM performance.

Vagus nerve stimulation improves working memory performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (10) ◽  
pp. 954-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lihua Sun ◽  
Jari Peräkylä ◽  
Katri Holm ◽  
Joonas Haapasalo ◽  
Kai Lehtimäki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Memory Performance

scholarly journals The Instant Effects of Continuous Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation at Acupoints on the Functional Connectivity of Amygdala in Migraine without Aura: A Preliminary Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Wenting Luo ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Zhaoxian Yan ◽  
Xian Liu ◽  
Xiaoyan Hou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Auricular Acupuncture ◽  
Fmri Study ◽  
The Right ◽  
Episodic Migraineurs

Background. A growing body of evidence suggests that both auricular acupuncture and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can induce antinociception and relieve symptoms of migraine. However, their instant effects and central treatment mechanism remain unclear. Many studies proved that the amygdalae play a vital role not only in emotion modulation but also in pain processing. In this study, we investigated the modulation effects of continuous taVNS at acupoints on the FC of the bilateral amygdalae in MwoA. Methods. Thirty episodic migraineurs were recruited for the single-blind, crossover functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study. Each participant attended two kinds of eight-minute stimulations, taVNS and sham-taVNS (staVNS), separated by seven days in random order. Finally, 27 of them were included in the analysis of seed-to-voxel FC with the left/right amygdala as seeds. Results. Compared with staVNS, the FC decreased during taVNS between the left amygdala and left middle frontal gyrus (MFG), left dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus, right supplementary motor area (SMA), bilateral paracentral lobules, bilateral postcingulum gyrus, and right frontal superior medial gyrus, so did the FC of the right amygdala and left MFG. A significant positive correlation was observed between the FC of the left amygdala and right SMA and the frequency/total time of migraine attacks during the preceding four weeks. Conclusion. Continuous taVNS at acupoints can modulate the FC between the bilateral amygdalae and pain-related brain regions in MwoA, involving the limbic system, default mode network, and pain matrix, with obvious differences between the left amygdala and the right amygdala. The taVNS may produce treatment effects by modulating the abnormal FC of the amygdala and pain networks, possibly having the same central mechanism as auricular acupuncture.

Effect of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Dysphagia After Lateral Medullary Infarction: A Case Report

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 1381-1387
Author(s):  
Ying Yuan ◽  
Jie Wang ◽  
Dongyu Wu ◽  
Dahua Zhang ◽  
Weiqun Song
Keyword(s):  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Tube Feeding ◽  
Nasogastric Feeding ◽  
Lateral Medullary Infarction ◽  
Severe Dysphagia ◽  
Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Medullary Infarction

Purpose Severe dysphagia with weak pharyngeal peristalsis after dorsal lateral medullary infarction (LMI) requires long-term tube feeding. However, no study is currently available on therapeutic effectiveness in severe dysphagia caused by nuclear damage of vagus nerve after dorsal LMI. The purpose of the present investigation was to explore the potential of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) to improve severe dysphagia with weak pharyngeal peristalsis after dorsal LMI. Method We assessed the efficacy of 6-week tVNS in a 28-year-old woman presented with persisting severe dysphagia after dorsal LMI who had been on nasogastric feeding for 6 months. tVNS was applied for 20 min twice a day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks. The outcome measures included saliva spitted, Swallow Function Scoring System, Functional Oral Intake Scale, Clinical Assessment of Dysphagia With Wallenberg Syndrome, Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale, and upper esophagus X-ray examination. Results After tVNS, the patient was advanced to a full oral diet without head rotation or spitting. No saliva residue was found in the valleculae and pyriform sinuses. Contrast medium freely passed through the upper esophageal sphincter. Conclusion Our findings suggest that tVNS might provide a useful means for recovery of severe dysphagia with weak pharyngeal peristalsis after dorsal LMI. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.9755438

Vagus nerve stimulation in rheumatoid arthritis – Authors' reply

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. e14-e15
Author(s):  
Mark C Genovese ◽  
Yaakov A Levine ◽  
David Chernoff
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Cognition-enhancing effect of vagus nerve stimulation on refractory epilepsy secondary to lissencephaly: A case report.

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-85
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Marmo da Costa e Souza ◽  
Felipe Ricardo Pereira Vasconcelos De Arruda ◽  
Jose Anderson Galdino Santos ◽  
Jamerson De Carvalho Andrade ◽  
Suellen Mary Marinho Dos Santos Andrade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Refractory Epilepsy ◽  
Enhancing Effect

Implanted vagus nerve stimulation in 126 patients: surgical technique and complications

2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (7) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Vocal Cord ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Pulse Generator ◽  
Operative Procedure ◽  
Intractable Epilepsy ◽  
Vagal Nerve ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Nerve Stimulator

Introduction: Vagus nerve stimulation is a palliative treatment for patients with refractory epilepsy to reduce the frequency and intensity of seizures. A bipolar helical electrode is placed around the left vagus nerve at the cervical level and is connected to the pulse generator placed in a subcutaneous pocket, most commonly in the subclavian region. Methods: Between March 1998 and October 2019, we performed 196 procedures related to the vagal nerve stimulation at the Neurosurgery Department in Motol University Hospital. Of these, 126 patients were vagal nerve stimulator implantation surgeries for intractable epilepsy. The cases included 69 female and 57 male patients with mean age at the time of the implantation surgery 22±12.4 years (range 2.1−58.4 years). Results: Nine patients (7.1%) were afflicted by complications related to implantation. Surgical complications included postoperative infection in 1.6%, VNS-associated arrhythmias in 1.6%, jugular vein bleeding in 0.8% and vocal cord paresis in 2.4%. One patient with vocal cord palsy also suffered from severe dysphagia. One patient (0.8%) did not tolerate extra stimulation with magnet due to a prolonged spasm in his throat. The extra added benefit of vagus stimulation in one patient was a significant reduction of previously regular severe headaches. Conclusion: Vagus nerve stimulation is an appropriate treatment for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who are not candidates for focal resective surgery. Implantation of the vagus nerve stimulator is a relatively safe operative procedure.

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