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Mbikyo MB, Wang A, Ma Q, Miao L, Cui N, Yang Y, Fu H, Sun Y, Li Z. Low-Level Tragus Stimulation Attenuates Blood Pressure in Young Individuals With Hypertension: Results From a Small-Scale Single-Blind Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial. J Am Heart Assoc 2024:e032269. [PMID: 39291497 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.032269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases. Its management in young people remains limited. Device-based therapies, such as low-level tragus stimulation (LL-TS), a noninvasive method that reduces sympathetic activity, have recently been explored for resistant hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS This trial involved patients with Grade 1 hypertension with no other medical history. LL-TS (20 Hz, 1 mA, 1 h/day) was applied for 3 months on the tragus (Intervention group [IG]) or earlobe (Control group [CG]). Blood pressure and outcomes were assessed at the first, second, and third months. Among 40 patients, 21 were in IG and 19 in CG. Baseline systolic blood pressure was similar between IG (142.62±8.18 mm Hg) and CG (143.00±8.61 mm Hg), P=0.89. Post-LL-TS, systolic blood pressure showed significant reductions in IG compared with CG at the first (IG: 134.47±5.95 mm Hg, CG: 141.28±6.78 mm Hg, P=0.002), second (IG: 132.50±7.51 mm Hg, CG: 140.62±7.15 mm Hg, P=0.001), and third months (IG: 128.81±7.13 mm Hg, CG: 136.51±7.96 mm Hg, P=0.003). diastolic blood pressure also differed significantly: first month (IG: 85.34±5.81 mm Hg, CG: 89.74±6.32 mm Hg, P=0.03), second month (IG: 82.12±5.22 mm Hg, CG: 88.57±7.11 mm Hg, P=0.002), and third month (IG: 80.71±5.96 mm Hg, CG: 87.55±5.26 mm Hg, P=0.001). Heart rate was unchanged (P>0.05). Only 0.01% of IG subjects reported site irritation, with no serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS LL-TS led to significant blood pressure reductions in young patients with essential hypertension. Further larger trials are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of LL-TS. REGISTRATION URL: https://www.chictr.org.cn/; Unique identifier: ChiCTR2000038448.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muisha B Mbikyo
- Department of Cardiology The First Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang China
| | - Ai Wang
- Department of Cardiology The First Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang China
- Department of Cardiology Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Qun Ma
- Department of Cardiology The First Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang China
| | - Linlin Miao
- Department of Cardiology The First Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang China
| | - Nan Cui
- Department of Cardiology The First Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang China
| | - Yiqing Yang
- Department of Cardiology The First Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang China
| | - Haoran Fu
- Department of Cardiology The First Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang China
| | - Yingxian Sun
- Department of Cardiology The First Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang China
| | - Zhao Li
- Department of Cardiology The First Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang China
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Nagai M, Rommel KP, Po SS, Dasari TW. Autonomic neuromodulation for cardiomyopathy associated with metabolic syndrome - Prevention of precursors for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Hypertens Res 2024:10.1038/s41440-024-01886-2. [PMID: 39261699 DOI: 10.1038/s41440-024-01886-2] [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: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) induces a systemic inflammatory state which can lead to cardiomyopathy, manifesting clinically as heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). MetS components are intricately linked to the pathophysiologic processes of myocardial remodeling. Increased sympathetic nervous system activity, which is noted as an upstream factor of MetS, has been linked to adverse myocardial structural changes. Since renal denervation and vagus nerve stimulation have a sympathoinhibitory effect, attention has been paid to the cardioprotective effects of autonomic neuromodulation. In this review, the pathophysiology underlying the relationship between MetS and HF is elucidated, and the evidence regarding autonomic neuromodulation in HFpEF is summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiaki Nagai
- Cardiovascular section, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma, Health Science Center, Oklahoma, USA.
- Department of Cardiology, Hiroshima City Asa Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan.
| | - Karl-Philipp Rommel
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz and German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sunny S Po
- Cardiovascular section, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma, Health Science Center, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Tarun W Dasari
- Cardiovascular section, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma, Health Science Center, Oklahoma, USA.
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3
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Gentile F, Orlando G, Montuoro S, Ferrari Chen YF, Macefield V, Passino C, Giannoni A, Emdin M. Treating heart failure by targeting the vagus nerve. Heart Fail Rev 2024:10.1007/s10741-024-10430-w. [PMID: 39117958 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-024-10430-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Increased sympathetic and reduced parasympathetic nerve activity is associated with disease progression and poor outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure. The demonstration that markers of autonomic imbalance and vagal dysfunction, such as reduced heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity, hold prognostic value in patients with chronic heart failure despite modern therapies encourages the research for neuromodulation strategies targeting the vagus nerve. However, the approaches tested so far have yielded inconclusive results. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge about the role of the parasympathetic nervous system in chronic heart failure, describing the pathophysiological background, the methods of assessment, and the rationale, limits, and future perspectives of parasympathetic stimulation either by drugs or bioelectronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Gentile
- Health Science Interdisciplinary Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri Della Libertà 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy.
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Fondazione Monasterio, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Giulia Orlando
- Health Science Interdisciplinary Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri Della Libertà 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sabrina Montuoro
- Health Science Interdisciplinary Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri Della Libertà 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Yu Fu Ferrari Chen
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Fondazione Monasterio, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Passino
- Health Science Interdisciplinary Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri Della Libertà 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Fondazione Monasterio, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Giannoni
- Health Science Interdisciplinary Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri Della Libertà 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Fondazione Monasterio, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michele Emdin
- Health Science Interdisciplinary Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri Della Libertà 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Fondazione Monasterio, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
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Percin A, Ozden AV, Yenisehir S, Pehlivanoglu BE, Yılmaz RC. The Effect of In-Ear and Behind-Ear Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Autonomic Function: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Sham-Controlled Study. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4385. [PMID: 39124651 PMCID: PMC11312612 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13154385] [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: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (TaVNS) is a non-invasive method of electrical stimulation used to autonomic neuromodulation. Position and form of the electrodes are important for the effectiveness of autonomic modulation. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of TaVNS in-ear and behind-ear on autonomic variables. Methods: A total of 76 healthy participants (male: 40, female: 36) were randomized into four groups as in-ear TaVNS, behind-ear TaVNS, in-ear sham, and behind-ear sham. The TaVNS protocol included bilateral auricular stimulation for 20 min, 25 hertz frequency, a pulse width of 250 μs, and a suprathreshold current (0.13-50 mA). Heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured baseline and after stimulation. The parameters RMSSD (root mean square of consecutive differences between normal heartbeats), LF power (low-frequency), and HF power (high-frequency) were assessed in the HRV analysis. Results: HR decreased in the in-ear TaVNS after intervention (p < 0.05), but did not change in behind-ear TaVNS and sham groups compared to baseline (p > 0.05). SBP and DBP decreased and RMSSD increased in the in-ear and behind-ear TaVNS groups (p < 0.05), but did not change in sham groups compared to baseline (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in LF and HF power after TaVNS compared to baseline in all groups (p > 0.05). SBP was lower and RMSSD was higher in-ear TaVNS than behind-ear TaVNS after intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In-ear TaVNS appears to be more effective than behind-ear TaVNS in modulating SBP and RMSSD, but this needs to be studied in larger populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alper Percin
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Avrasya University, 61080 Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Ali Veysel Ozden
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bahcesehir University, 34330 Istanbul, Turkey; (A.V.O.); (B.E.P.)
| | - Semiha Yenisehir
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mus Alparslan University, 49250 Mus, Turkey;
| | - Berkay Eren Pehlivanoglu
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bahcesehir University, 34330 Istanbul, Turkey; (A.V.O.); (B.E.P.)
| | - Ramazan Cihad Yılmaz
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Igdır University, 76000 Igdır, Turkey;
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5
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Gianlorenço AC, Pacheco-Barrios K, Daibes M, Camargo L, Choi H, Song JJ, Fregni F. Age as an Effect Modifier of the Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) on Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Subjects. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4267. [PMID: 39064307 PMCID: PMC11278058 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13144267] [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: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Evidence suggests that vagus nerve stimulation can modulate heart rate variability (HRV). However, there is a lack of mechanistic studies in healthy subjects assessing the effects of bilateral transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on HRV. Our study aims to investigate how taVNS can influence the HRV response, including the influence of demographic variables in this response. Methods: Therefore, we conducted a randomized controlled study with 44 subjects, 22 allocated to active and 22 to sham taVNS. Results: Our results showed a significant difference between groups in the high-frequency (HF) metric. Active taVNS increased the HF metric significantly as compared to sham taVNS. Also, we found that age was a significant effect modifier of the relationship between taVNS and HF-HRV, as a larger increase in HF-HRV was seen in the older subjects. Importantly, there was a decrease in HF-HRV in the sham group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that younger subjects can adapt and maintain a constant level of HF-HRV regardless of the type of stimulation, but in the older subjects, only the active taVNS recipients were able to maintain and increase their HF-HRV. These results are important because they indicate that taVNS can enhance physiological regulation processes in response to external events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Carolyna Gianlorenço
- Laboratory of Neuroscience and Neurological Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Department, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil;
- Neuromodulation Center, Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1575 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (K.P.-B.); (M.D.); (L.C.)
| | - Kevin Pacheco-Barrios
- Neuromodulation Center, Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1575 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (K.P.-B.); (M.D.); (L.C.)
| | - Marianna Daibes
- Neuromodulation Center, Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1575 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (K.P.-B.); (M.D.); (L.C.)
| | - Lucas Camargo
- Neuromodulation Center, Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1575 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (K.P.-B.); (M.D.); (L.C.)
| | - Hyuk Choi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea;
- Neurive Co., Ltd., Gimhae 08308, Republic of Korea;
| | - Jae-Jun Song
- Neurive Co., Ltd., Gimhae 08308, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University Medical Center, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Felipe Fregni
- Neuromodulation Center, Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1575 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (K.P.-B.); (M.D.); (L.C.)
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Maestri R, Pinna GD, Robbi E, Cogliati C, Bartoli A, Gambino G, Rengo G, Montano N, La Rovere MT. Impact of optimized transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on cardiac autonomic profile in healthy subjects and heart failure patients. Physiol Meas 2024; 45:075007. [PMID: 39016202 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/ad5ef6] [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: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Objective.To determine the optimal frequency and site of stimulation for transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) to induce acute changes in the autonomic profile (heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV)) in healthy subjects (HS) and patients with heart failure (HF).Approach.We designed three single-blind, randomized, cross-over studies: (1) to compare the acute effect of left tVNS at 25 Hz and 10 Hz (n= 29, age 60 ± 7 years), (2) to compare the acute effect of left and right tVNS at the best frequency identified in study 1 (n= 28 age 61 ± 7 years), and (3) to compare the acute effect of the identified optimal stimulation protocol with sham stimulation in HS and HF patients (n= 30, age 59 ± 5 years, andn= 32, age 63 ± 7 years, respectively).Main results.In study 1, left tragus stimulation at 25 Hz was more effective than stimulation at 10 Hz in decreasing HR (-1.0 ± 1.2 bpm,p< 0.001 and -0.5 ± 1.6 bpm, respectively) and inducing vagal effects (significant increase in RMSSD, and HF power). In study 2, the HR reduction was greater with left than right tragus stimulation (-0.9 ± 1.5 bpm,p< 0.01 and -0.3 ± 1.4 bpm, respectively). In study 3 in HS, left tVNS at 25 Hz significantly reduced HR, whereas sham stimulation did not (-1.1 ± 1.2 bpm,p< 0.01 and -0.2 ± 2.9 bpm, respectively). In HF patients, both active and sham stimulation produced negligible effects.Significance.Left tVNS at 25 Hz is effective in acute modulation of cardiovascular autonomic control (HR, HRV) in HS but not in HF patients (NCT05789147).
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Maestri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Montescano Institute-IRCCS, Montescano, Italy
| | - Gian Domenico Pinna
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Montescano Institute-IRCCS, Montescano, Italy
| | - Elena Robbi
- Department of Cardiology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Montescano Institute-IRCCS, Montescano, Italy
| | - Chiara Cogliati
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan and Department of Internal Medicine, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Bartoli
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan and Department of Internal Medicine, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Gambino
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Rengo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici ICS Maugeri, Telese Terme Institute, -IRCCS, Telese, Italy
| | - Nicola Montano
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa La Rovere
- Department of Cardiology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Montescano Institute-IRCCS, Montescano, Italy
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Mun J, Lee J, Park SM. Real-time closed-loop brainstem stimulation modality for enhancing temporal blood pressure reduction. Brain Stimul 2024; 17:826-835. [PMID: 38997106 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2024.07.002] [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: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditional pharmacological interventions are well tolerated in the management of elevated blood pressure (BP) for individuals with resistant hypertension. Although neuromodulation has been investigated as an alternative solution, its open-loop (OL) modality cannot follow the patient's physiological state. In fact, neuromodulation for controlling highly fluctuating BP necessitates a closed-loop (CL) stimulation modality based on biomarkers to monitor the patient's continuously varying physiological state. OBJECTIVE By leveraging its intuitive linkage with BP responses in ongoing efforts aimed at developing a CL system to enhance temporal BP reduction effect, this study proposes a CL neuromodulation modality that controls nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) activity to effectively reduce BP, thus reflecting continuously varying physiological states. METHOD While performing neurostimulation targeting the NTS in the rat model, the arterial BP response and neural activity of the NTS were simultaneously measured. To evaluate the temporal BP response effect of CL neurostimulation, OL (constant parameter; 20 Hz, 200 μA) and CL (Initial parameter; 11 Hz, 112 μA) stimulation protocols were performed with stimulation 180 s and rest 600 s, respectively, and examined NTS activity and BP response to the protocols. RESULTS In-vivo experiments for OL versus CL protocol for direct NTS stimulation in rats demonstrated an enhancement in temporal BP reduction via the CL modulation of NTS activity. CONCLUSION This study proposes a CL stimulation modality that enhances the effectiveness of BP control using a feedback control algorithm based on neural signals, thereby suggesting a new approach to antihypertensive neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junseung Mun
- Department of Convergence IT Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiho Lee
- Department of Convergence IT Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Min Park
- Department of Convergence IT Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea; Department of Electrical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea; Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Yokota H, Edama M, Kawanabe Y, Hirabayashi R, Sekikne C, Akuzawa H, Ishigaki T, Otsuru N, Saito K, Kojima S, Miyaguchi S, Onishi H. Effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation at left cymba concha on experimental pain as assessed with the nociceptive withdrawal reflex, and correlation with parasympathetic activity. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:2826-2835. [PMID: 38469939 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16305] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to the left cymba concha on the pain perception using nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR), which is known to be associated with chronic pain, and to investigate whether there is a relationship between taVNS-induced suppression of the NWR and parasympathetic activation. We applied either 3.0 mA, 100 Hz taVNS for 120 s on the left cymba concha (taVNS condition) or the left earlobe (Sham condition) for 20 healthy adults. NWR threshold was measured before (Baseline), immediately after (Post 0), 10 min (Post 10) and 30 min after (Post 30) stimulation. The NWR threshold was obtained from biceps femoris muscle by applying electrical stimulation to the sural nerve. During taVNS, electrocardiogram was recorded, and changes in autonomic nervous activity measured by heart rate variability (HRV) were analyzed. We found that the NWR thresholds at Post 10 and Post 30 increased compared with baseline in the taVNS group (10 min after: p = .008, 30 min after: p = .008). In addition, increased parasympathetic activity by taVNS correlated with a greater increase in NWR threshold at Post 10 and Post 30 (Post 10: p = .003; Post 30: p = .001). The present results of this single-blinded study demonstrate the pain-suppressing effect of taVNS on NWR threshold and suggest that the degree of parasympathetic activation during taVNS may predict the pain-suppressing effect of taVNS after its application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotake Yokota
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Mutsuaki Edama
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yurika Kawanabe
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Ryo Hirabayashi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Chie Sekikne
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Akuzawa
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Tomonobu Ishigaki
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Naofumi Otsuru
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kei Saito
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Sho Kojima
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Shota Miyaguchi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hideaki Onishi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan
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9
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Hartley S, Bao G, Russo A, Zagdoun M, Chevallier S, Lofaso F, Leotard A, Azabou E. Self-administered non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation therapy for severe pharmacoresistant restless legs syndrome: outcomes at 6 months. J Sleep Res 2024; 33:e14066. [PMID: 37846650 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.14066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Severe pharmacoresistant restless legs syndrome (RLS) is difficult to manage and a source of suffering to patients. We studied the effectiveness at 6 months of an innovative treatment: transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in the left cymba concha in a case series of 15 patients, 53% male, mean (SD) age 62.7 (12.3) years with severe pharmacoresistant RLS (mean [SD] International Restless Legs Rating Scale [IRLS] score of 31.9 [2.9]) at baseline. Following an 8-week non-randomised hospital-based study with eight 1-h sessions of taVNS, patients were trained to administer taVNS at home and were followed up for 6 months. The primary outcome measure was the IRLS score, secondary outcome measures were quality of life, mood disorders using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD) subscales for depression (HADD) and anxiety (HADA). At the 6-month follow-up 13/15 patients continued to use weekly taVNS. Symptom severity decreased (mean [SD] IRLS score 22.2 [9.32] at 6 months, p = 0.0005). Four of the 15 patients had an IRLS score of <20 at 6 months and two an IRLS score of 5. Quality of life significantly improved compared to baseline (mean [SD] score at baseline 49.3 [18.1] versus 65.66 [22.58] at 6 months, p = 0.0005) as did anxiety and depression symptoms (mean [SD] HADA score at baseline 8.9 [5.4] versus 7.53 [4.42] at 6 months, p = 0.029; and HADD score at baseline 5.2 [4.5] versus 4.73 [4.44] at 6 months, p = 0.03). Treatment was well tolerated, and no adverse events were reported. Our case series shows a potential role for self-administered taVNS in patients with severe pharmacoresistant RLS. Randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm the utility of taVNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hartley
- Sleep Unit, Department of Physiology, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Bao
- Clinical Neurophysiology and Neuromodulation Unit, SMART_VNS Platform, Department of Physiology, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
- Laboratory of Infection and Inflammation (2I) INSERM UMR 1173, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Ashley Russo
- Clinical Neurophysiology and Neuromodulation Unit, SMART_VNS Platform, Department of Physiology, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
- Laboratory of Infection and Inflammation (2I) INSERM UMR 1173, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Marine Zagdoun
- Clinical Neurophysiology and Neuromodulation Unit, SMART_VNS Platform, Department of Physiology, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
- Laboratory of Infection and Inflammation (2I) INSERM UMR 1173, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Chevallier
- Versailles Engineering Systems Laboratory (LISV), University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Vélizy, France
| | - Frédéric Lofaso
- Sleep Unit, Department of Physiology, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
- Clinical Neurophysiology and Neuromodulation Unit, SMART_VNS Platform, Department of Physiology, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
- Laboratory « End:icap », INSERM UMR 1179, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Antoine Leotard
- Sleep Unit, Department of Physiology, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
- Laboratory « End:icap », INSERM UMR 1179, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Eric Azabou
- Clinical Neurophysiology and Neuromodulation Unit, SMART_VNS Platform, Department of Physiology, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
- Laboratory of Infection and Inflammation (2I) INSERM UMR 1173, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France
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10
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Elkattawy HA, Mahmoud SM, Hassan AES, Behiry A, Ebrahim HA, Ibrahim AM, Zaghamir DEF, El-Sherbiny M, El-Sayed SF. Vagal Stimulation Ameliorates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rats. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3255. [PMID: 38137476 PMCID: PMC10741668 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123255] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The harmful consequences of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are posing an increasing threat to public health as the incidence of diabetes and obesity increases globally. A non-invasive treatment with a range of autonomic and metabolic benefits is transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS). AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the possible preventive impacts of VNS against adult rats' NAFLD caused by a high-fat diet (HFD) and to clarify the underlying mechanisms. METHODS A total of thirty-two adult male rats were split into two groups: the HFD-induced NAFLD group (n = 24) and the control normal group (n = 8). The obesogenic diet was maintained for 12 weeks to induce hepatic steatosis. The HFD-induced NAFLD group (n = 24) was separated into three groups: the group without treatment (n = 8), the group with sham stimulation (n = 8), and the group with VNS treatment (n = 8). VNS was delivered for 30 min per day for 6 weeks after the establishment of NAFLD using a digital TENS device. The subsequent assessments included hepatic triglyceride, cholesterol content, serum lipid profile, and liver function testing. In this context, inflammatory biomarkers (TNF-α, IL-6) and hepatic oxidative stress (MDA, SOD, and GPx) were also assessed. To clarify the possible mechanisms behind the protective benefits of VNS, additional histological inspection and immunohistochemistry analysis of TNF-α and Caspase-3 were performed. RESULTS In the NAFLD-affected obese rats, VNS markedly decreased the rats' body mass index (BMI) and abdominal circumference (AC). Liver function markers (albumin, ALT, and AST) and the serum lipid profile-which included a notable decrease in the amounts of hepatic triglycerides and cholesterol-were both markedly improved. Additionally, oxidative stress and inflammatory indicators showed a considerable decline with VNS. Notably, the liver tissues examined by histopathologists revealed that there is evidence of the protective impact of VNS on the oxidative and inflammatory states linked to HFD-induced NAFLD while maintaining the architectural and functional condition of the liver. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that VNS may represent a promising therapeutic candidate for managing NAFLD induced by obesity. It can be considered to be an effective adjuvant physiological intervention for the obese population with NAFLD to spare the liver against obesity-induced deleterious injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hany A. Elkattawy
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 11579, Saudi Arabia;
- Medical Physiology Department, College of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig P.O. Box 44519, Egypt; (A.E.-S.H.); (S.F.E.-S.)
| | - Samar Mortada Mahmoud
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, College of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig P.O. Box 44519, Egypt;
| | - Ahmed El-Sayed Hassan
- Medical Physiology Department, College of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig P.O. Box 44519, Egypt; (A.E.-S.H.); (S.F.E.-S.)
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Sulaiman Al-Rajhi University, Bukayriah 51941, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Behiry
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Endemic Diseases, College of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig P.O. Box 44519, Egypt;
| | - Hasnaa Ali Ebrahim
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ateya Megahed Ibrahim
- Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia; (A.M.I.); (D.E.F.Z.)
- Department of Family and Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University, Port Said P.O. Box 42511, Egypt
| | - Donia Elsaid Fathi Zaghamir
- Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia; (A.M.I.); (D.E.F.Z.)
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University, Port Said P.O. Box 42511, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Sherbiny
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 11579, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Sherein F. El-Sayed
- Medical Physiology Department, College of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig P.O. Box 44519, Egypt; (A.E.-S.H.); (S.F.E.-S.)
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11
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Hatik SH, Asrlan M, Demirbilek Ö, Özden AV. The effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on cycling ergometry and recovery in healthy young individuals. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3332. [PMID: 37974551 PMCID: PMC10726880 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is aimed to examine the potential benefits and effects of the use of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for sporting purposes on recovery, fatigue, and sportive performance level. METHODS In this study, 90 people between the ages of 18-23 were participated. They were randomly divided into three groups as bilateral sham, unilateral left, and bilateral VNS. A 4-day protocol was applied to the participants. Cycling exercise was performed with maximum performance for 30 min under the same watt load. Pulse, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, distance, pain, fatigue, lactic acid level, and autonomic nervous system were evaluated. RESULTS Within the groups, there was a statistically significant difference between the data (p < .05) except for the distance covered parameter. When we compare the groups, in addition to the distance traveled in all groups, there is no statistically significant difference in the 1st day 1st measurement and 2nd measurement data of all parameters (p > .05 When we compared the data according to days, there was a statistically significant difference between bilateral stimulation (BS) and unilateral stimulation, only pain and fatigue levels (p < .05). CONCLUSION In our study, we saw that BS application gave positive results in reducing pain and fatigue due to cycling exercise compared to other applications. Similar results were obtained when we evaluated the data on a daily basis. We believe that VNS will be beneficial in reducing pain and fatigue, especially during and after the competition halftime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sefa Haktan Hatik
- Department of Health Care Services, Türkeli Vocational SchoolSinop UniversitySinopTurkey
| | - Mesut Asrlan
- Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department, Health Sciences FacultyBitlis Eren UniversityBitlisTurkey
| | - Ömer Demirbilek
- Department of Emergency and Disaster Management, Türkeli Vocational SchoolSinop UniversitySinopTurkey
| | - Ali Veysel Özden
- Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department, Health Sciences FacultyBahçeşehir UniversityIstanbulTurkey
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12
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Hua K, Cummings M, Bernatik M, Brinkhaus B, Usichenko T, Dietzel J. Cardiovascular effects of auricular stimulation -a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1227858. [PMID: 37727325 PMCID: PMC10505819 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1227858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The number of randomized controlled trials using auricular stimulation (AS) such as transauricular vagus nerve stimulation, or other auricular electrostimulation or auricular acupuncture or acupressure, in experimental and clinical settings, has increased markedly over the last three decades. This systematic review focusses on cardiovascular effects of auricular stimulation. Methods and analysis The following databases were searched: MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), ISI Web of Science, and Scopus Database. RCTs were reviewed that had been published in English and European languages. Data collection and analysis was conducted by two reviewers independently. Quality and risk assessment of included studies was performed and the meta-analysis of the effect of the most frequently assessed biomarkers. Results Altogether, 78 trials were included. 38 studies assessed heart rate (HR), 19 studies analyzed heart rate variability (HRV), 31 studies analyzed blood pressure (BP) and 7 studies were identified that measured oxygen saturation (O2), 2 studies on baroreflex sensitivity and 2 studies on skin conductance were evaluated in this review. 26 studies contained continuous data and were eligible for meta-analysis, 50 trials reported non continuous data and were evaluated descriptively. The overall quality of the studies was moderate to low. AS leads to a significant reduction of HR, the changes though were not considered an adverse reaction. Furthermore, when looking at HRV, AS was able to reduce the LF/HF ratio significantly compared to control procedures. No other cardiovascular parameters (blood pressure, oxygen saturation, baroreflex sensitivity) were changed significantly. AS produced only minor side effects in all trials. Conclusion AS can lead to clinically safe reduction of HR and changes in the LF/HF ratio of the HRV, which is presumably via an increase in vagal activity. More research is needed to clarify whether AS can be used to modulate tachycardia or indications with autonomic imbalance. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=231885 PROSPERO, ID CRD42021231885.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Hua
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - University Medicine, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mike Cummings
- British Medical Acupuncture Society, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Benno Brinkhaus
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - University Medicine, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Taras Usichenko
- Department for Anesthesiology, University Hospital Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Joanna Dietzel
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - University Medicine, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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13
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Dillard CC, Martaindale H, Hunter SD, McAllister MJ. Slow Breathing Reduces Biomarkers of Stress in Response to a Virtual Reality Active Shooter Training Drill. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2351. [PMID: 37628548 PMCID: PMC10454504 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11162351] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Tactical occupations regularly encounter life-threatening situations while on duty. Although these occupations are often trained to utilize slow breathing (SB) during intense stress, there is no evidence supporting the effects on markers of stress in response to a virtual reality active shooter training drill (VR-ASD). The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of acute SB on biomarkers of stress in response to a VR-ASD. Seventy-nine (n = 79) subjects performed either slow breathing method 1 (SB1), slow breathing method 2 (SB2), or normal breathing (control) for five minutes, both pre- and post-VR-ASD. Saliva samples were analyzed for stress markers, including α-amylase (sAA) and secretory immunoglobulin-A (SIgA). Both methods of SB resulted in significantly lower sAA concentrations at 5 (p < 0.001) and 30 min post-VR-ASD (SB1: p = 0.008; SB2: p < 0.001) compared to the control. In the control condition, the sAA concentrations were significantly elevated 5 min post-VR-ASD (p < 0.001) but did not change across time in SB1 or SB2 (p > 0.05). Thus, both SB1 and SB2 reduced the sAA response and resulted in lower concentrations post-VR-ASD. This study was pre-registered as a clinical trial ("Impact of Breathing Interventions on Stress Markers"; NCT05825846).
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney C. Dillard
- Metabolic & Applied Physiology Lab, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
| | | | - Stacy D. Hunter
- Metabolic & Applied Physiology Lab, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
| | - Matthew J. McAllister
- Metabolic & Applied Physiology Lab, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, 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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15
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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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16
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Soltani D, Azizi B, Sima S, Tavakoli K, Hosseini Mohammadi NS, Vahabie AH, Akbarzadeh-Sherbaf K, Vasheghani-Farahani A. A systematic review of the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability in healthy subjects. Clin Auton Res 2023; 33:165-189. [PMID: 37119426 DOI: 10.1007/s10286-023-00938-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity in healthy populations. METHOD PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched for controlled trials that examined the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on heart rate variability parameters and baroreflex sensitivity in apparently healthy individuals. Two independent researchers screened the search results, extracted the data, and evaluated the quality of the included studies. RESULTS From 2458 screened studies, 21 were included. Compared with baseline measures or the comparison group, significant changes in the standard deviation of NN intervals, the root mean square of successive RR intervals, the proportion of consecutive RR intervals that differ by more than 50 ms, high-frequency power, low-frequency to high-frequency ratio, and low-frequency power were found in 86%, 75%, 69%, 47%, 36%, and 25% of the studies evaluating the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on these indices, respectively. Baroreflex sensitivity was evaluated in six studies, of which a significant change was detected in only one. Some studies have shown that the worse the basic autonomic function, the better the response to transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation. CONCLUSION The results were mixed, which may be mainly attributable to the heterogeneity of the study designs and stimulation delivery dosages. Thus, future studies with comparable designs are required to determine the optimal stimulation parameters and clarify the significance of autonomic indices as a reliable marker of neuromodulation responsiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danesh Soltani
- Cardiac Primary Prevention Research Center (CPPRC), Cardiovascular Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bayan Azizi
- Cardiac Primary Prevention Research Center (CPPRC), Cardiovascular Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepehr Sima
- Department of Psychology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kiarash Tavakoli
- Cardiac Primary Prevention Research Center (CPPRC), Cardiovascular Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Students' Scientific Research Center (SSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negin Sadat Hosseini Mohammadi
- Cardiac Primary Prevention Research Center (CPPRC), Cardiovascular Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Students' Scientific Research Center (SSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdol-Hossein Vahabie
- Control and Intelligent Processing Center of Excellence (CIPCE), Cognitive Systems Laboratory, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kaveh Akbarzadeh-Sherbaf
- Department of Computer Engineering and Information Technology, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Vasheghani-Farahani
- Cardiac Primary Prevention Research Center (CPPRC), Cardiovascular Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Hartley S, Bao G, Zagdoun M, Chevallier S, Lofaso F, Leotard A, Azabou E. Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A New Therapeutic Approach for Pharmacoresistant Restless Legs Syndrome. Neuromodulation 2023; 26:629-637. [PMID: 36400697 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.10.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This work aimed to study the effect of noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation on severe restless legs syndrome (RLS) resistant to pharmacotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with severe pharmacoresistant RLS were recruited from a tertiary care sleep center. Intervention was one-hour weekly sessions of transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) in the left cymba concha, for eight weeks. The primary outcome measure was the score on the International Restless Legs Rating Scale (IRLS); secondary outcome measures were quality of life (Restless Legs Syndrome Quality of Life scale [RLSQOL]), mood disorders using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale subscale for depression (HADD) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale subscale for anxiety (HADA), and objective sleep latency, sleep duration, efficiency, and leg movement time measured by actigraphy. RESULTS Fifteen patients, 53% male, aged mean 62.7 ± 12.3 years with severe RLS, reduced quality of life, and symptoms of anxiety and depression, were included. The IRLS improved from baseline to session eight: IRLS 31.9 ± 2.9 vs 24.6 ± 5.9 p = 0.0003. Of these participants, 27% (4/15) had a total response with a decrease below an IRLS score of 20; 40% (6/15) a partial response with an improvement in the IRLS > 5 but an IRLS above 20; and 33% (5/15) were nonresponders. After tVNS, quality of life improved (RLSQOL 49.3 ± 18.1 vs 80.0 ± 19.6 p = 0.0005), as did anxiety (HADA 8.9 ± 5.4 vs 6.2 ± 5.0 p = 0.001) and depression (HADD 5.2 ± 4.5 vs 4.0 ± 4.0 p = 0.01). No significant change was found in actigraphic outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS In this pilot study, tVNS improved the symptoms of RLS in 66% of participants (10/15) with severe pharmacoresistant RLS, with concomitant improvements in quality of life and mood. Randomized controlled trials evaluating therapeutic efficacy of tVNS in RLS are needed to confirm these promising findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hartley
- Sleep Unit, Department of Physiology, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Garches, Paris, France.
| | - Guillaume Bao
- Clinical Neurophysiology and Neuromodulation Unit, Department of Physiology, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Garches, Paris, France; Laboratory of Infection and Inflammation Inserm UMR 1173, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Marine Zagdoun
- Clinical Neurophysiology and Neuromodulation Unit, Department of Physiology, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Garches, Paris, France; Laboratory of Infection and Inflammation Inserm UMR 1173, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Chevallier
- Versailles Engineering Systems Laboratory, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, Vélizy, France
| | - Frédéric Lofaso
- Sleep Unit, Department of Physiology, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Garches, Paris, France; Clinical Neurophysiology and Neuromodulation Unit, Department of Physiology, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Garches, Paris, France; Laboratory END-ICAP, Inserm UMR 1179, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Antoine Leotard
- Sleep Unit, Department of Physiology, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Garches, Paris, France; Laboratory END-ICAP, Inserm UMR 1179, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Eric Azabou
- Clinical Neurophysiology and Neuromodulation Unit, Department of Physiology, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Garches, Paris, France; Laboratory of Infection and Inflammation Inserm UMR 1173, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France
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18
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de Moraes TL, Costa FO, Cabral DG, Fernandes DM, Sangaleti CT, Dalboni MA, Motta E Motta J, de Souza LA, Montano N, Irigoyen MC, Brines M, J Tracey K, Pavlov VA, Consolim Colombo FM. Brief periods of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation improve autonomic balance and alter circulating monocytes and endothelial cells in patients with metabolic syndrome: a pilot study. Bioelectron Med 2023; 9:7. [PMID: 36998060 PMCID: PMC10064781 DOI: 10.1186/s42234-023-00109-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is emerging evidence that the nervous system regulates immune and metabolic alterations mediating Metabolic syndrome (MetS) pathogenesis via the vagus nerve. This study evaluated the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (TAVNS) on key cardiovascular and inflammatory components of MetS. METHODS We conducted an open label, randomized (2:1), two-arm, parallel-group controlled trial in MetS patients. Subjects in the treatment group (n = 20) received 30 min of TAVNS with a NEMOS® device placed on the cymba conchae of the left ear, once weekly. Patients in the control group (n = 10) received no stimulation. Hemodynamic, heart rate variability (HRV), biochemical parameters, and monocytes, progenitor endothelial cells, circulating endothelial cells, and endothelial micro particles were evaluated at randomization, after the first TAVNS treatment, and again after 8 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS An improvement in sympathovagal balance (HRV analysis) was observed after the first TAVNS session. Only patients treated with TAVNS for 8 weeks had a significant decrease in office BP and HR, a further improvement in sympathovagal balance, with a shift of circulating monocytes towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype and endothelial cells to a reparative vascular profile. CONCLUSION These results are of interest for further study of TAVNS as treatment of MetS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Nicola Montano
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Michael Brines
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Kevin J Tracey
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Valentin A Pavlov
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Fernanda M Consolim Colombo
- Nove de Julho University - UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
- University of São Paulo, Hypertension Unit, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Nagai M, Dote K, Kato M, Sasaki S, Oda N, Förster CY. Afterload reduction after non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation in acute heart failure. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1149449. [PMID: 37033910 PMCID: PMC10076847 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1149449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction While central blood pressure (BP) has been recognized as a major indicator of left ventricular (LV) afterload, the reduction of central pressure decreases LV afterload and may prevent heart failure (HF) decompensation. Non-invasive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) was shown to improve cardiac function in HF patients. In this study, the relationship between active tVNS and reduction of central BP was investigated in patients with acute HF (AHF). Methods The 22 patients hospitalized for AHF after initial stabilization (median 80 yrs, males 60%) were randomly assigned to active or sham group. For 1 h daily over 5 days, low-level transcutaneous electrical stimulation (LLTS) (20 Hz, 1 mA) was performed after attaching an ear clip to the tragus (active group) or the earlobe (sham control group). Before and after stimulation, central aortic systolic pressure (CASP), brachial systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP) as well as heart rate (HR) were noninvasively measured. Results No significant differences in baseline characteristics were observed between the active and sham groups. In the active group, CASP, SBP, DBP, and HR each decreased significantly after stimulation (all p < 0.05), whereas in the sham group, CASP, SBP, DBP, and HR each increased significantly after stimulation (all p < 0.05). All the changes in CASP, SBP, DBP and HR before and after stimulation were also significantly different between active and sham groups (all p < 0.01). There were no device-related side effects. Conclusion In this study, the left tragus tVNS resulted in an acute afterload reduction in the elderly AHF patients. Non-invasive LLTS may be useful and safe for reducing afterload in AHF. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier UMIN000044121.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiaki Nagai
- Department of Cardiology, Hiroshima City Asa Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Keigo Dote
- Department of Cardiology, Hiroshima City Asa Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Masaya Kato
- Department of Cardiology, Hiroshima City Asa Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shota Sasaki
- Department of Cardiology, Hiroshima City Asa Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Noboru Oda
- Department of Cardiology, Hiroshima City Asa Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Carola Y Förster
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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20
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Hunter SD, Bernardi L, McAllister MJ, John D, Rahimi M, Lopez MR. Device-guided slow breathing alters postprandial oxidative stress in young adult males: A randomized sham-controlled crossover trial. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2023; 33:203-209. [PMID: 36344308 PMCID: PMC9812884 DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Slow, deep breathing (SDB) lowers blood pressure (BP) though the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Redox improvements could facilitate hemodynamic adjustments with SDB though this has not been investigated. The purpose of this randomized, sham-controlled trial was to examine the acute effects of SDB on oxidative stress and endothelial function during a physiological perturbation (high-fat meal) known to induce oxidative stress. METHODS AND RESULTS Seventeen males (ages 18-35 years) were enrolled, and anthropometric measurements and 7-day physical activity monitoring were completed. Testing sessions consisted of 24-h diet recalls (ASA24), blood sample collection for superoxide dismutase (SOD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) analysis, and flow-mediated dilation (FMD). High-fat meals were ingested and 2-min breathing exercises (SDB or sham control breathing) were completed every 15 min during the 4-h postprandial phase. Blood sample collection and FMD were repeated 1-, 2-, and 4-h post meal consumption. Mean body mass index and step counts were 25.6 ± 4.3 kg/m2 and 8165 ± 4405 steps per day, respectively. Systolic and diastolic BP and nutrient intake 24 h prior were similar between conditions. No time or time by condition interaction effects were observed for FMD. The total area under the curve (AUC) for SOD was significantly lower during SDB compared to the sham breathing condition (p < 0.01). No differences were observed in TBARS AUC (p = 0.538). CONCLUSIONS Findings from the current investigation suggest that SDB alters postprandial redox in the absence of changes in endothelial function in young, healthy males. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04864184. CLINICAL TRIALS IDENTIFIER NCT04864184.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy D Hunter
- Texas State University Department of Health & Human Performance, San Marcos, TX, USA.
| | - Luciano Bernardi
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Folkhälsan Research Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Abdominal Center Nephrology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Research Program Unit, Diabetes and Obesity, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Matthew J McAllister
- Texas State University Department of Health & Human Performance, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Dinesh John
- Northeastern University Department of Health Sciences, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mitra Rahimi
- Texas State University Department of Health & Human Performance, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Micqauella R Lopez
- Texas State University Department of Health & Human Performance, San Marcos, TX, USA
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21
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Black S, Bretherton B, Baranidharan G, Murray A, Crowther T, Deuchars S, Deuchars J. A Feasibility Study Exploring Measures of Autonomic Function in Patients With Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Undergoing Spinal Cord Stimulation. Neuromodulation 2023; 26:192-205. [PMID: 35088730 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2021.10.016] [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: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is associated with impaired autonomic tone, characterized by sympathetic prevalence and vagal withdrawal. Although spinal cord stimulation (SCS) alleviates pain in FBSS, there is limited research investigating how SCS affects measures of autonomic function. This was a prospective, open-label, feasibility study exploring measures of autonomic function in patients with FBSS receiving SCS therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 14 patients with FBSS were recruited for baseline measurements and underwent a trial of 10-kHz SCS. There were three failed trials, resulting in the remaining 11 participants receiving a fully implanted 10-kHz SCS system. One participant requested an explant, resulting in ten participants completing both baseline and follow-up (three to six months after SCS implant) measurements. Autonomic function was assessed using time- and frequency-domain heart rate variability (HRV), baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS), and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) using microneurography. Because this was a feasibility study, most of the analysis was descriptive. However, paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests tested for differences between baseline and follow-up. RESULTS In the whole (N = 14) and final (N = 10) samples, there was between-participant variation in baseline and follow-up measures. This, combined with a small sample, likely contributed to finding no statistically significant differences in any of the measures between baseline and follow-up. However, plotting baseline and follow-up scores for individual participants revealed that those who showed increases in MSNA frequency, square root of the mean of the squared differences between adjacent RR intervals (RMSSD), percentage of the number of RR intervals >50 ms (pRR50), total power, and up BRS between baseline and follow-up had distinct clustering of baseline values compared with those who showed decreases in these measures. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this feasibility study will aid with informing hypotheses for future research. A key aspect that should be considered in future research concerns exploring the role of baseline measures of autonomic function in influencing change in autonomic function with SCS therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Black
- Pain Management, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| | - Beatrice Bretherton
- Pain Management, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Ganesan Baranidharan
- Pain Management, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK; School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Aaron Murray
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Tracey Crowther
- Pain Management, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Susan Deuchars
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Jim Deuchars
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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22
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Monaco A, Cattaneo R, Smurra P, Di Nicolantonio S, Cipriano F, Pietropaoli D, Ortu E. Trigeminal electrical stimulation with ULFTENS of the dorsal anterior mucosal surface of the tongue: Effects on Heart Rate Variability (HRV). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285464. [PMID: 37163499 PMCID: PMC10171590 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trigeminal electrical stimulation of the dorsal anterior mucosal surface of the tongue has demonstrated its efficacy in a variety of neurological disorders in which anatomical or functional alterations are present. The pathogenesis of such disorders is often linked to altered arousal circuits, and the benefits of tongue stimulation are attributed to the rebalancing of this system. Dental ULFTENS shows efficacy in acting on the muscular, autonomic system and control of the descending pathways that modulate pain. It is administered at the skin level in the area anterior to the tragus and not on the mucosal surface of the tongue. The use of this stimulation technique at the tongue level could have new applications and clinical results if it were able to reduce the activity of arousal circuits. MATERIAL AND METHOD A new intraoral device allowed electrical stimulation of the dorsal anterior mucosa of the tongue in 32 healthy young women. The effects on HRV were monitored by photoplethysmographic wave (PPG) and compared with a control group. The HRV parameters studied were RMSSD, HF, LF, LF/HF, REC, DET. RESULTS The group of stimulated subjects showed a significant change in some of the HRV parameters that was maintained even in the epoch after the end of electrical stimulation. This effect can be considered as a vagal activation and a change of HRV trend. The control group of unstimulated subjects showed an opposite trend. There were no undesirable or annoying effects of stimulation. CONCLUSION Stimulation of the dorsal anterior (trigeminal) mucosal surface of the tongue with ULFTENS applied with an intraoral device was shown to be able to increase HRV.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Monaco
- Departement of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - R Cattaneo
- Departement of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - P Smurra
- Departement of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - S Di Nicolantonio
- Departement of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - F Cipriano
- Departement of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - D Pietropaoli
- Departement of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - E Ortu
- Departement of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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23
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Ji N, Li Y, Wei J, Chen F, Xu L, Li G, Lin WH. Autonomic modulation by low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation of the vagus nerve. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 36541473 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/aca8cd] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Objective.Our previous study has shown that low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation (FUS) of the vagus nerve could modulate blood pressure (BP), but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that low-intensity FUS of the vagus nerve would regulate autonomic function and thus BP.Approach.17 anesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats were treated with low-intensity FUS of the left vagus nerve for 15 min each trial. Continuous BP, heart rate, respiration rate (RR), and core body temperature were simultaneously recorded to evaluate the effects on BP and other physiological parameters. Heart rate variability (HRV), systolic BP variability, and baroreflex sensitivity were computed to evaluate the autonomic modulation function. A Control-sham group without stimulation and another Control-FUS group with non-target stimulation were also examined to exclude the influence of potential confounding factors on autonomic modulation.Main results.A prolonged significant decrease in BP, pulse pressure, RR, the normalized low-frequency power of HRV, and the low-to-high frequency power ratio of HRV were found after the low-intensity FUS of the left vagus nerve in comparison with the baseline and those of the control groups, demonstrating that activities of the sympathetic nervous system were inhibited. The prolonged significant increase of the normalized high-frequency power of HRV suggested the activation of parasympathetic activity.Significance.Low-intensity FUS of the left vagus nerve effectively improved the autonomic function by activating parasympathetic efferent and inhibiting sympathetic efferent, which contributes to BP reduction. The findings shed light on the hypotensive mechanism underlying FUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ji
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, People's Republic of China.,CAS Key Lab of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems and Research Center for Neural Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanheng Li
- CAS Key Lab of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems and Research Center for Neural Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Wei
- CAS Key Lab of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems and Research Center for Neural Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China.,Department of Human Anatomy, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai 519041, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Lisheng Xu
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanglin Li
- CAS Key Lab of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems and Research Center for Neural Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Wan-Hua Lin
- CAS Key Lab of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems and Research Center for Neural Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
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24
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Forte G, Favieri F, Leemhuis E, De Martino ML, Giannini AM, De Gennaro L, Casagrande M, Pazzaglia M. Ear your heart: transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on heart rate variability in healthy young participants. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14447. [PMID: 36438582 PMCID: PMC9686410 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) stimulating the auricular branch of the vagus nerve along a well-defined neuroanatomical pathway, has promising therapeutic efficacy. Potentially, taVNS can modulate autonomic responses. Specifically, taVNS can induce more consistent parasympathetic activation and may lead to increased heart rate variability (HRV). However, the effects of taVNS on HRV remain inconclusive. Here, we investigated changes in HRV due to brief alteration periods of parasympathetic-vagal cardiac activity produced by taVNS on the cymba as opposed to control administration via the helix. Materials and Methods We compared the effect of 10 min of active stimulation (i.e., cymba conchae) to sham stimulation (i.e., helix) on peripheral cardiovascular response, in 28 healthy young adults. HRV was estimated in the time domain and frequency domain during the overall stimulation. Results Although active-taVNS and sham-taVNS stimulation did not differ in subjective intensity ratings, the active stimulation of the cymba led to vagally mediated HRV increases in both the time and frequency domains. Differences were significant between active-taVNS and both sham-taVNS and resting conditions in the absence of stimulation for various HRV parameters, but not for the low-frequency index of HRV, where no differences were found between active-taVNS and sham-taVNS conditions. Conclusion This work supports the hypothesis that taVNS reliably induces a rapid increase in HRV parameters when auricular stimulation is used to recruit fibers in the cymba compared to stimulation at another site. The results suggest that HRV can be used as a physiological indicator of autonomic tone in taVNS for research and potential therapeutic applications, in line with the established effects of invasive VNS. Knowledge of the physiological effect of taVNS short sessions in modulating cardiovagal processing is essential for enhancing its clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Forte
- Body and Action Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy,Department of Psychology, University of Roma “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Favieri
- Body and Action Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy,Department of Psychology, University of Roma “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | - Erik Leemhuis
- Body and Action Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy,Department of Psychology, University of Roma “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa De Martino
- Body and Action Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy,Department of Psychology, University of Roma “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Luigi De Gennaro
- Body and Action Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy,Department of Psychology, University of Roma “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Casagrande
- Dipartimento di Psicologia Clinica, Dinamica e Salute, University of Roma “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariella Pazzaglia
- Body and Action Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy,Department of Psychology, University of Roma “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
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25
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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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26
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Jensen MK, Andersen SS, Andersen SS, Liboriussen CH, Kristensen S, Jochumsen M. Modulating Heart Rate Variability through Deep Breathing Exercises and Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A Study in Healthy Participants and in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:7884. [PMID: 36298234 PMCID: PMC9607552 DOI: 10.3390/s22207884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are associated with an impaired autonomic nervous system and vagus nerve function. Electrical or physiological (deep breathing-DB) vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) could be a potential treatment approach, but no direct comparison has been made. In this study, the effect of transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS) and DB on vagal tone was compared in healthy participants and RA or SLE patients. The vagal tone was estimated using time-domain heart-rate variability (HRV) parameters. Forty-two healthy participants and 52 patients performed 30 min of DB and 30 min of taVNS on separate days. HRV was recorded before and immediately after each intervention. For the healthy participants, all HRV parameters increased after DB (SDNN + RMSSD: 21-46%), while one HRV parameter increased after taVNS (SDNN: 16%). For the patients, all HRV parameters increased after both DB (17-31%) and taVNS (18-25%), with no differences between the two types of VNS. DB was associated with the largest elevation of the HRV parameters in healthy participants, while both types of VNS led to elevated HRV parameters in the patients. The findings support a potential use of VNS as a new treatment approach, but the clinical effects need to be investigated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Salome Kristensen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Mads Jochumsen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
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27
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Yokota H, Edama M, Hirabayashi R, Sekine C, Otsuru N, Saito K, Kojima S, Miyaguchi S, Onishi H. Effects of Stimulus Frequency, Intensity, and Sex on the Autonomic Response to Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12081038. [PMID: 36009101 PMCID: PMC9405815 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12081038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to determine how transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) alters autonomic nervous activity by comparing the effects of different tVNS frequencies and current intensities. We also investigated the sex-dependent autonomic response to tVNS. Thirty-five healthy adult participants were stimulated using a tVNS stimulator at the left cymba conchae while sitting on a reclining chair; tVNS-induced waveform changes were then recorded for different stimulus frequencies (Experiment 1: 3.0 mA at 100 Hz, 25 Hz, 10 Hz, 1 Hz, and 0 Hz (no stimulation)) and current intensities (Experiment 2: 100 Hz at 3.0 mA, 1.0 mA, 0.2 mA (below sensory threshold), and 0 mA (no stimulation)) using an electrocardiogram. Pulse widths were set at 250 µs in both experiment 1 and 2. Changes in heart rate (HR), root-mean-square of the difference between two successive R waves (RMSSD), and the ratio between low-frequency (LF) (0.04–0.15 Hz) and high-frequency (HF) (0.15–0.40 Hz) bands (LF/HF) in spectral analysis, which indicates sympathetic and parasympathetic activity, respectively, in heart rate variability (HRV), were recorded for analysis. Although stimulation at all frequencies significantly reduced HR (p = 0.001), stimulation at 100 Hz had the most pronounced effect (p = 0.001) in Experiment 1 and was revealed to be required to deliver at 3.0 mA in Experiment 2 (p = 0.003). Additionally, participants with higher baseline sympathetic activity experienced higher parasympathetic response during stimulation, and sex differences may exist in the autonomic responses by the application of tVNS. Therefore, our findings suggest that optimal autonomic changes induced by tVNS to the left cymba conchae vary depending on stimulating parameters and sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotake Yokota
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-25-257-4723
| | - Mutsuaki Edama
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Ryo Hirabayashi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Chie Sekine
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Naofumi Otsuru
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Kei Saito
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Sho Kojima
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Shota Miyaguchi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
| | - Hideaki Onishi
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
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28
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Rodrigues GD, Gurgel JL, da Nobrega ACL, Soares PPDS. Orthostatic intolerance: a handicap of aging or physical deconditioning? Eur J Appl Physiol 2022; 122:2005-2018. [PMID: 35716190 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-022-04978-4] [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: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Despite several studies that have been investigated physical inactivity and age-related effects on orthostatic tolerance, impaired hemodynamics and postural balance responses to orthostatic stress are incorrectly attributed to aging or sedentarism alone. The isolated effects from aging and sedentarism should be investigated through comparative studies between senior athletes and age-matched controls, and physical activity assessments on aging follow-up studies. On the other hand, bed rest and space flight studies mimic accelerated physical inactivity or disuse, which is not the same physiological decline provoked by aging alone. Thus, the elementary question is: could orthostatic intolerance be attributed to aging or physical inactivity? The main purpose of this review is to provide an overview of possible mechanisms underlying orthostatic tolerance contrasting the paradigm of aging and/or physical inactivity. The key points of this review are the following: (1) to counterpoint all relevant literature on physiological aspects of orthostatic tolerance; (2) to explore the mechanistic aspects underneath the cerebrovascular, cardiorespiratory, and postural determinants of orthostatic tolerance; and (3) examine non-pharmacological interventions with the potential to counterbalance the physical inactivity and aging effects. To date, the orthostatic intolerance cannot be attributed exclusively with aging since physical inactivity plays an important role in postural balance, neurovascular and cardiorespiratory responses to orthostatic stress. These physiological determinates should be interpreted within an integrative approach of orthostatic tolerance, that considers the interdependence between physiological systems in a closed-loop model. Based on this multisystem approach, acute and chronic countermeasures may combat aging and sedentarism effects on orthostatic tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Dias Rodrigues
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,National Institute for Science & Technology - INCT, (In)activity & Exercise, CNPq-Niterói (RJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jonas Lírio Gurgel
- Department of Physical Education and Sports, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Antonio Claudio Lucas da Nobrega
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil.,National Institute for Science & Technology - INCT, (In)activity & Exercise, CNPq-Niterói (RJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pedro Paulo da Silva Soares
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil. .,National Institute for Science & Technology - INCT, (In)activity & Exercise, CNPq-Niterói (RJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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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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Khodadadi F, Ketabchi F, Khodabandeh Z, Tavassoli A, Lewis GF, Bahaoddini A. The effect of subdiaphragmatic vagotomy on heart rate variability and lung inflammation in rats with severe hemorrhagic shock. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2022; 22:181. [PMID: 35439928 PMCID: PMC9020113 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-022-02594-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The influence of cutting the sub-diaphragmatic branch of the vagus nerve on heart rate variability (HRV) and inflammatory reaction to severe hemorrhagic shock has not been determined prior to this study. Methods Male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups of Sham, sub-diaphragmatic vagotomized (Vag), subacute (135 ± 2 min) hemorrhagic shock (SHS), and sub-diaphragmatic vagotomized with SHS (Vag + SHS). Hemodynamic parameters were recorded and HRV calculated during multiple phases in a conscious model of hemorrhagic shock. The expressions of TNF-α and iNOS were measured in the spleen and lung tissues at the conclusion of the protocol. Results Decreases in blood pressure during blood withdrawal were identical in the SHS and Vag + SHS groups. However, heart rate only decreased in the Nadir-1 phase of the SHS group. HRV indicated increased power in the very-low, low, and high (VLF, LF, and HF) frequency bands during the Nadir-1 phase of the SHS and Vag + SHS groups, albeit the values were higher in the SHS group. In the recovery phase, the HF bands were only lower in the SHS group. After hemorrhagic shock followed by resuscitation, the expression of TNF-α and iNOS increased in the spleen and lung of the SHS group, and the expression of these genes was significantly lower in the Vag + SHS group than in the SHS group. Conclusion Parasympathetic activity increases during the hypotensive phase of hemorrhagic shock, whereas the cardiac vagal tone decreases in the recovery phase. Sub-diapragmatic vagotomy blunts the cardiac vagal tone during hemorrhagic shock, but its effect is reversed in the recovery phase. The vagus nerve plays a role in proinflammatory responses in the lungs and spleen in subacute hemorrhagic shock followed by resuscitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fateme Khodadadi
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Ketabchi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zahra Khodabandeh
- Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Alireza Tavassoli
- Department of Pathology, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Gregory F Lewis
- Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.,The Traumatic Stress Research Consortium at the Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
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Wang Y, Li L, Li S, Fang J, Zhang J, Wang J, Zhang Z, Wang Y, He J, Zhang Y, Rong P. Toward Diverse or Standardized: A Systematic Review Identifying Transcutaneous Stimulation of Auricular Branch of the Vagus Nerve in Nomenclature. Neuromodulation 2022; 25:366-379. [PMID: 35396069 DOI: 10.1111/ner.13346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES After 20 years of development, there is confusion in the nomenclature of transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN). We performed a systematic review of transcutaneous stimulation of ABVN in nomenclature. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic search of the literature was carried out, using the bibliographic search engine PubMed. The search covered articles published up until June 11, 2020. We recorded the full nomenclature and abbreviated nomenclature same or similar to transcutaneous stimulation of ABVN in the selected eligible studies, as well as the time and author information of this nomenclature. RESULTS From 261 studies, 67 full nomenclatures and 27 abbreviated nomenclatures were finally screened out, transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation and tVNS are the most common nomenclature, accounting for 38.38% and 42.06%, respectively. In a total of 97 combinations of full nomenclatures and abbreviations, the most commonly used nomenclature for the combination of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation and tVNS, accounting for 30.28%. Interestingly, the combination of full nomenclatures and abbreviations is not always a one-to-one relationship, there are ten abbreviated nomenclatures corresponding to transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation, and five full nomenclatures corresponding to tVNS. In addition, based on the analysis of the usage habits of nomenclature in 21 teams, it is found that only three teams have fixed habits, while other different teams or the same team do not always use the same nomenclature in their paper. CONCLUSIONS The phenomenon of confusion in the nomenclature of transcutaneous stimulation of ABVN is obvious and shows a trend of diversity. The nomenclature of transcutaneous stimulation of ABVN needs to become more standardized in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Li
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shaoyuan Li
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiliang Fang
- Department of Radiology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinling Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junying Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zixuan Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yifei Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiakai He
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Peijing Rong
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Diedrich A, Urechie V, Shiffer D, Rigo S, Minonzio M, Cairo B, Smith EC, Okamoto LE, Barbic F, Bisoglio A, Porta A, Biaggioni I, Furlan R. Transdermal auricular vagus stimulation for the treatment of postural tachycardia syndrome. Auton Neurosci 2021; 236:102886. [PMID: 34634682 PMCID: PMC8939715 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a chronic disorder characterized by symptoms of orthostatic intolerance such as fatigue, lightheadedness, dizziness, palpitations, dyspnea, chest discomfort and remarkable tachycardia upon standing. Non-invasive transdermal vagal stimulators have been applied for the treatment of epilepsy, anxiety, depression, headache, and chronic pain syndromes. Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects after transdermal vagal stimulation raised interest for applications in other diseases. Patients with sympathetic overactivity, reduced cardiac vagal drive and presence of systemic inflammation like POTS may benefit from tVNS. This article will address crucial methodological aspects of tVNS and provide preliminary results of its acute and chronic use in POTS, with regards to its potential effectiveness on autonomic symptoms reduction and heart rate modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Diedrich
- Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Vasile Urechie
- Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Dana Shiffer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Internal Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Stefano Rigo
- Humanitas University School of Medicine, Rozzano, Italy; Virgilio Research Project, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Minonzio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Internal Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Beatrice Cairo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Cardiothoracic, Vascular Anesthesia and Intensive Care, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | - Emily C Smith
- Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Luis E Okamoto
- Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Franca Barbic
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Internal Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy; Humanitas University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
| | - Andrea Bisoglio
- Humanitas University School of Medicine, Rozzano, Italy; Virgilio Research Project, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Porta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Cardiothoracic, Vascular Anesthesia and Intensive Care, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | - Italo Biaggioni
- Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Raffaello Furlan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Internal Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy; Humanitas University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
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Széles JC, Kampusch S, Thürk F, Clodi C, Thomas N, Fichtenbauer S, Schwanzer C, Schwarzenberger S, Neumayer C, Kaniusas E. Bursted auricular vagus nerve stimulation alters heart rate variability in healthy subjects. Physiol Meas 2021; 42. [PMID: 34496357 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/ac24e6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective.Recent research suggests that percutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (pVNS) beneficially modulates the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Bursted pVNS seems to be efficient for nerve excitation. Bursted pVNS effects on cardiac autonomic modulation are not disclosed yet.Approach.For the first time, the present study evaluates the effect of pVNS on cardiac autonomic modulation in healthy subjects (n = 9) using two distinct bursted stimulation patterns (biphasic and triphasic stimulation) and heart rate variability analysis (HRV). Stimulation was delivered via four needle electrodes in vagally innervated regions of the right auricle. Each of the two bursted stimulation patterns was applied twice in randomized order over four consecutive stimulation sessions per subject.Main results.Bursted pVNS did not change heart rate, blood pressure, and inflammatory parameters in study subjects. pVNS significantly increased the standard deviation of heart inter-beat intervals, from 46.39 ± 10.4 ms to 63.46 ± 22.47 ms (p < 0.05), and the total power of HRV, from 1475.7 ± 616.13 ms2to 3190.5 ± 2037.0 ms2(p < 0.05). The high frequency (HF) power, the low frequency (LF) power, and theLF/HFratio did not change during bursted pVNS. Both stimulation patterns did not show any significant differences in cardiac autonomic modulation. Stimulation intensity to reach a tingling sensation was significantly lower in triphasic compared to biphasic stimulation (p< 0.05). Bursted stimulation was well tolerated.Significance.Bursted pVNS seems to affect cardiac autonomic modulation in healthy subjects, with no difference between biphasic and triphasic stimulation, the latter requiring lower stimulation intensities. These findings foster implementation of more efficient pVNS stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozsef C Széles
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Kampusch
- SzeleSTIM GmbH, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Electrodynamics, Microwave and Circuit Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Thürk
- Institute of Electrodynamics, Microwave and Circuit Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Clodi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Norbert Thomas
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Severin Fichtenbauer
- Institute of Electrodynamics, Microwave and Circuit Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Schwanzer
- Institute of Electrodynamics, Microwave and Circuit Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Christoph Neumayer
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eugenijus Kaniusas
- Institute of Electrodynamics, Microwave and Circuit Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
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Veiz E, Kieslich SK, Staab J, Czesnik D, Herrmann-Lingen C, Meyer T. Men Show Reduced Cardiac Baroreceptor Sensitivity during Modestly Painful Electrical Stimulation of the Forearm: Exploratory Results from a Sham-Controlled Crossover Vagus Nerve Stimulation Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111193. [PMID: 34769711 PMCID: PMC8582936 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents data from a transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation experiment that point towards a blunted cardiac baroreceptor sensitivity (cBRS) in young males compared to females during electrical stimulation of the forearm and a rhythmic breathing task. Continuous electrocardiography, impedance cardiography and continuous blood-pressure recordings were assessed in a sex-matched cohort of twenty young healthy subjects. Electrical stimulation of the median nerve was conducted by using a threshold-tracking method combined with two rhythmic breathing tasks (0.1 and 0.2 Hz) before, during and after active or sham transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation. Autonomic and hemodynamic parameters were calculated, and differences were analyzed by using linear mixed models and post hoc F-tests. None of the autonomic and hemodynamic parameters differed between the sham and active conditions. However, compared to females, male participants had an overall lower total cBRS independent of stimulation condition during nerve stimulation (females: 14.96 ± 5.67 ms/mmHg, males: 11.89 ± 3.24 ms/mmHg, p = 0.031) and rhythmic breathing at 0.2 Hz (females: 21.49 ± 8.47 ms/mmHg, males: 15.12 ± 5.70 ms/mmHg, p = 0.004). Whereas vagus nerve stimulation at the left inner tragus did not affect the efferent vagal control of the heart, we found similar patterns of baroreceptor sensitivity activation over the stimulation period in both sexes, which, however, significantly differed in their magnitude, with females showing an overall higher cBRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Veiz
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (S.-K.K.); (J.S.); (C.H.-L.)
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
- Correspondence: (E.V.); (T.M.)
| | - Susann-Kristin Kieslich
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (S.-K.K.); (J.S.); (C.H.-L.)
| | - Julia Staab
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (S.-K.K.); (J.S.); (C.H.-L.)
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dirk Czesnik
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
| | - Christoph Herrmann-Lingen
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (S.-K.K.); (J.S.); (C.H.-L.)
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Meyer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (S.-K.K.); (J.S.); (C.H.-L.)
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Correspondence: (E.V.); (T.M.)
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Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation and heart rate variability: Analysis of parameters and targets. Auton Neurosci 2021; 236:102894. [PMID: 34662844 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) modulates central and peripheral neurophysiology. Specifically, taVNS increases heart rate variability (HRV) indicating a shift in autonomic function towards parasympathetic predominance. However, knowledge on the influence of stimulation parameters and targets is scarce. We hypothesized that the location and charge per phase of taVNS influences HRV. MATERIALS AND METHODS In thirteen healthy subjects, six different stimulation targets were investigated, i.e., cymba conchae, cavum conchae, outer tragus, inner tragus, crus helicis, and fossa triangularis. At each target, 24 parameter combinations were studied: Eight different electrical charges per phase were evaluated by investigating three pulse durations and eight charge-balanced current intensities, i.e., 100 μs (0.250-2 mA in steps of 0.250 mA), 260 μs (0.096-0.769 mA in steps of 0.096 mA), and 500 μs (0.050-0.400 mA in steps of 0.050 mA). In a parallel group design, left and right taVNS were compared to each other. 30 bursts at each parameter combination were applied with a periodicity of 1 Hz. Each burst consisted of five pulses applied at 25 Hz. RESULTS HRV increased in a charge-dependent way with significant differences between the right and left ear. The targets with the strongest effects were the cymba conchae and fossa triangularis, and to a lesser extent the inner tragus. CONCLUSIONS HRV is suitable to define taVNS parameters and targets for research and therapeutic purposes. Bursts of taVNS with a pulse duration of 100 μs and a current intensity of 2 mA are comfortable for the participants and effective in increasing HRV when applied at specific auricular locations. These findings need to be replicated in larger cohorts, and with longer stimulation and off-periods between conditions. Since results may differ in conditions with an impaired autonomic tone, future studies should also consider aged and patient populations.
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Carandina A, Rodrigues GD, Di Francesco P, Filtz A, Bellocchi C, Furlan L, Carugo S, Montano N, Tobaldini E. Effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on cardiovascular autonomic control in health and disease. Auton Neurosci 2021; 236:102893. [PMID: 34649119 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction is a well-known feature of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Studies on heart rate variability (HRV), a non-invasive method useful in investigating the status of cardiovascular autonomic control, have shown that a predominance of sympathetic modulation not only contributes to the progression of CVDs but has a pivotal role in their onset. Current therapies focus more on inhibition of sympathetic activity, but the presence of drug-resistant conditions and the invasiveness of some surgical procedures are an obstacle to complete therapeutic success. On the other hand, targeting the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system through invasive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has shown interesting results as alternative therapeutic approach for CVDs. However, the invasiveness and cost of the surgical procedure limit the clinical applicability of VNS and hinder the research on the physiological pathway involved. Transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (tVNS) seems to represent an important non-invasive alternative with effects comparable to those of VNS with surgical implant. Thus, in the present narrative review, we illustrate the main studies on tVNS performed in healthy subjects and in three key examples of CVDs, namely heart failure, hypertension and atrial fibrillation, highlighting the neuromodulatory effects of this technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Carandina
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriel Dias Rodrigues
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Di Francesco
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Annalisa Filtz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Bellocchi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ludovico Furlan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Carugo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Montano
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Tobaldini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Zhang Y, Lu T, Dong Y, Chen Y, Chen JDZ. Auricular vagal nerve stimulation enhances gastrointestinal motility and improves interstitial cells of Cajal in rats treated with loperamide. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2021; 33:e14163. [PMID: 33991455 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders affect a large proportion of the population with limited treatment options. The aims of this study were to investigate the potential of a non-invasive method of auricular vagal nerve stimulation (aVNS) for treating GI dysmotility and to explore possible mechanisms involving slow waves and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). METHODS Normal rats were treated daily with loperamide for 1 week and then treated, while still on daily loperamide, with aVNS/Sham-aVNS for another 1 week. Gastric emptying (GE), small intestine transit (SIT), and GI slow waves were measured. The plasma level of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and noradrenaline (NE) was assessed by ELISA. ICC in the gastric antrum were detected by immunohistochemistry. KEY RESULTS (a) aVNS significantly increased the percentage of normal GI slow waves (p < 0.05 for both fasting and postprandial states, vs. Sham-aVNS) and accelerated GE (p < 0.05, vs. Sham-aVNS) and SIT (p < 0.05, vs. Sham-aVNS) impaired by loperamide. (b) aVNS increased plasma PP (p < 0.01) and decreased plasma NE (p < 0.01), compared with Sham-aVNS. (c) Gastric ICC was decreased by loperamide (p < 0.01) but increased after aVNS (p < 0.01, vs. Sham aVNS). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES Loperamide induces upper GI dysmotility. aVNS accelerates upper GI transit and improving pace-making activity mediated via the ICC. Non-invasive aVNS may have a therapeutic potential for upper GI dysmotility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiling Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tao Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Dong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yan Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jiande D Z Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Carta G, Seregni A, Casamassima A, Galli M, Geuna S, Pagliaro P, Zago M. Validation and Reliability of a Novel Vagus Nerve Neurodynamic Test and Its Effects on Heart Rate in Healthy Subjects: Little Differences Between Sexes. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:698470. [PMID: 34552462 PMCID: PMC8450330 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.698470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The vagus nerve (VN), also called the pneumogastric nerve, connects the brainstem to organs contained in the chest and abdomen. Physiologically, VN stimulation can rapidly affect cardiac activity and heart rate (HR). VN neuropathy can increase the risk of arrhythmias and sudden death. Therefore, a selective test of VN function may be very useful. Since peripheral neurodynamic tests (NDT) are reliable for the assessment of neuropathies in somatic nerves, we aimed to validate a novel NDT to assess VN activity, namely, the VN-NTD. Methods In this cross-sectional double-blind, sex-balanced study, 30 participants (15 females) completed a checklist of autonomic dysfunction symptoms. During the VN-NDT administration, HR and symptoms (i.e., mechanical allodynia) were monitored in parallel to a real-time ultrasonography imaging (USI) and motion capture analysis of the neck. The VN-NDT impact on HR and its accuracy for autonomic symptoms reported in the last 7 days were tested. Results The VN-NDT induced a significant HR reduction of about 12 and 8 bpm in males and females [t(1, 119) = 2.425; p < 0.017; ηp2 = 0.047, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.93–9.18], respectively. No adverse events were observed during VN-NDT. A substantial interexaminer agreement between the evaluators in symptoms induction by VN-NDT was detected [F(1, 119) = 0.540; p = 0.464; ηp2 = 0.005, low effect]. Notably, mechanical allodynia accuracy for gastrointestinal dysfunctions was excellent (p < 0.05; 95% CI: 0.52–0.73; p < 0.001; 95% CI: 0.81–0.96). Conclusions The novel VN-NDT is a valid and accurate test capable of detecting VN activation with high sensitivity. Data provided are suitable for both sexes as a hallmark of HR variation due to VN normal response. The proposed VN-NDT may be reliable as daily routine neurological examination tests for the evaluation of neuropathic signs related to neuroinflammation of the VN. Clinical Trial Registration www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04192877.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Carta
- Human Anatomy, Department of Biological and Clinical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Department of Rehabilitation, Sesto Hospital, ASST Nord Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Agnese Seregni
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering (DEIB), Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Casamassima
- General Surgery Department, S. Maria delle Stelle Hospital, ASST Melegnano e Martesana Melzo, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Galli
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering (DEIB), Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Geuna
- Human Anatomy, Department of Biological and Clinical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Pasquale Pagliaro
- Human Physiology, Department of Biological and Clinical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Matteo Zago
- Department of Mechanics, Politecnico di Milano, Lecco, Italy
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Wolf V, Kühnel A, Teckentrup V, Koenig J, Kroemer NB. Does transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation affect vagally mediated heart rate variability? A living and interactive Bayesian meta-analysis. Psychophysiology 2021; 58:e13933. [PMID: 34473846 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), have considerable potential for clinical use. Beneficial effects of taVNS have been demonstrated on symptoms in patients with mental or neurological disorders as well as transdiagnostic dimensions, including mood and motivation. However, since taVNS research is still an emerging field, the underlying neurophysiological processes are not yet fully understood, and the replicability of findings on biomarkers of taVNS effects has been questioned. The objective of this analysis was to synthesize the current evidence concerning the effects of taVNS on vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV), a candidate biomarker that has, so far, received most attention in the field. We performed a living Bayesian random effects meta-analysis. To keep the synthesis of evidence transparent and up to date as new studies are being published, we developed a Shiny web app that regularly incorporates new results and enables users to modify study selection criteria to evaluate the robustness of the inference across potential confounds. Our analysis focuses on 16 single-blind studies comparing taVNS versus sham in healthy participants. The meta-analysis provides strong evidence for the null hypothesis (g = 0.014, CIshortest = [-0.103, 0.132], BF01 = 24.678), indicating that acute taVNS does not alter vmHRV compared to sham. To conclude, there is no support for the hypothesis that vmHRV is a robust biomarker for acute taVNS. By increasing transparency and timeliness, the concept of living meta-analyses can lead to transformational benefits in emerging fields such as non-invasive brain stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinzent Wolf
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Anne Kühnel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry and International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
| | - Vanessa Teckentrup
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Julian Koenig
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nils B Kroemer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Sigurdsson HP, Raw R, Hunter H, Baker MR, Taylor JP, Rochester L, Yarnall AJ. Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation in Parkinson's disease: current status and future prospects. Expert Rev Med Devices 2021; 18:971-984. [PMID: 34461787 DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2021.1969913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common progressive neurodegenerative disorder with multifactorial etiology. While dopaminergic medication is the standard therapy in PD, it provides limited symptomatic treatment and non-pharmacological interventions are currently being trialed. AREAS COVERED Recent pathophysiological theories of Parkinson's suggest that aggregated α-synuclein form in the gut and spread to nuclei in the brainstem via autonomic connections. In this paper, we review the novel hypothesis that noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS), targeting efferent and afferent vagal projections, is a promising therapeutic tool to improve gait and cognitive control and ameliorate non-motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's. We conducted an unstructured search of the literature for any studies employing nVNS in PD as well as for studies examining the efficacy of nVNS on improving cognitive function and where nVNS has been applied to co-occurring conditions in PD. EXPERT OPINION Evidence of nVNS as a novel therapeutic to improve gait in PD is preliminary, but early signs indicate the possibility that nVNS may be useful to target dopa-resistant gait characteristics in early PD. The evidence for nVNS as a therapeutic tool is, however, limited and further studies are needed in both brain health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilmar P Sigurdsson
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rachael Raw
- Department of General Internal Medicine, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - Heather Hunter
- Department of Research, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Mark R Baker
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - John-Paul Taylor
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Lynn Rochester
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Department of Neurosciences, Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Alison J Yarnall
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Department of Older People's Medicine, Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Shen LL, Sun JB, Yang XJ, Deng H, Qin W, Du MY, Meng LX, Li N, Guo XY, Qiao WZ, Yang WQ, Liu P, Zeng X. Reassessment of the Effect of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Using a Novel Burst Paradigm on Cardiac Autonomic Function in Healthy Young Adults. Neuromodulation 2021; 25:433-442. [PMID: 35396073 DOI: 10.1111/ner.13521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) may modulate cardiac autonomic function. However, the response rate of the traditional tonic paradigm is low, and the results remain inconsistent. A recent pilot study presented a novel burst paradigm to activate the cardiac parasympathetic system, which might offer a new approach to treat cardiac autonomic function. The present study reassessed the effect of burst taVNS on modulating heart rate variability and explored the difference between burst and traditional tonic paradigms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-two young adults were recruited for this study. Each participant underwent three types of taVNS with sham (30 sec of stimulation), tonic (25 Hz, 500 μsec), and burst (five pulses at 500 Hz every 200 msec) paradigms, respectively, with simultaneous electrocardiogram recording. One-way analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of variance, and linear regression were used for analysis. Multiple testing was performed using Bonferroni correction. RESULTS Both burst and tonic paradigms induced a significant decrease in heart rate, which continued until poststimulation, and increased cardiac parasympathetic activity. Moreover, two parasympathetic system indicators showed significant increase only in burst taVNS. The response rates during burst (35.7%) and tonic (38.1%) stimulations were both higher than that during sham stimulation (11.9%). The response to taVNS showed parameter specificity with few nonresponders to the tonic paradigm responding to the burst paradigm. The overall response rate increased from 38.1% in tonic taVNS to 54.8% in taVNS using both burst and tonic paradigms. For both burst and tonic responders, baseline cardiac parasympathetic activity was found to be significantly negatively correlated with changes during stimulation. CONCLUSION The burst parameter could be used as an alternative strategy for regulating cardiac parasympathetic function by taVNS, which has the potential to be used as a complementary paradigm to traditional tonic taVNS for promoting clinical treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Lin Shen
- 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
| | - Jin-Bo 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
| | - Xue-Juan 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
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - Meng-Yu Du
- 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
| | - Ling-Xia Meng
- 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
| | - Nan Li
- 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
| | - Xiao-Yu Guo
- 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
| | - Wen-Zhou Qiao
- 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-Qi 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
| | - Peng Liu
- 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
| | - Xiao Zeng
- 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
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De Martino ML, De Bartolo M, Leemhuis E, Pazzaglia M. Rebuilding Body-Brain Interaction from the Vagal Network in Spinal Cord Injuries. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11081084. [PMID: 34439702 PMCID: PMC8391959 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11081084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) exert devastating effects on body awareness, leading to the disruption of the transmission of sensory and motor inputs. Researchers have attempted to improve perceived body awareness post-SCI by intervening at the multisensory level, with the integration of somatic sensory and motor signals. However, the contributions of interoceptive-visceral inputs, particularly the potential interaction of motor and interoceptive signals, remain largely unaddressed. The present perspective aims to shed light on the use of interoceptive signals as a significant resource for patients with SCI to experience a complete sense of body awareness. First, we describe interoceptive signals as a significant obstacle preventing such patients from experiencing body awareness. Second, we discuss the multi-level mechanisms associated with the homeostatic stability of the body, which creates a unified, coherent experience of one's self and one's body, including real-time updates. Body awareness can be enhanced by targeting the vagus nerve function by, for example, applying transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation. This perspective offers a potentially useful insight for researchers and healthcare professionals, allowing them to be better equipped in SCI therapy. This will lead to improved sensory motor and interoceptive signals, a decreased likelihood of developing deafferentation pain, and the successful implementation of modern robotic technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa De Martino
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.L.D.M.); (M.D.B.); (E.L.)
- Body and Action Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Mina De Bartolo
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.L.D.M.); (M.D.B.); (E.L.)
| | - Erik Leemhuis
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.L.D.M.); (M.D.B.); (E.L.)
- Body and Action Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Mariella Pazzaglia
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.L.D.M.); (M.D.B.); (E.L.)
- Body and Action Lab, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-6-49917633
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An Overview of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation: Basic Principles and Clinical Applications. Can J Neurol Sci 2021; 49:479-492. [PMID: 34238393 DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2021.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The brain has the innate ability to undergo neuronal plasticity, which refers to changes in its structure and functions in response to continued changes in the environment. Although these concepts are well established in animal slice preparation models, their application to a large number of human subjects could only be achieved using noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of plasticity induction using NIBS techniques including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), random noise stimulation (RNS), transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS). We briefly introduce these techniques, explain the stimulation parameters and potential clinical implications. Although their mechanisms are different, all these NIBS techniques can be used to induce plasticity at the systems level, to examine the neurophysiology of brain circuits and have potential therapeutic use in psychiatric and neurological disorders. TMS is the most established technique for the treatment of brain disorders, and repetitive TMS is an approved treatment for medication-resistant depression. Although the data on the clinical utility of the other modes of stimulation are more limited, the electrical stimulation techniques (tDCS, tACS, RNS, VNS, GVS) have the advantage of lower cost, portability, applicability at home, and can readily be combined with training or rehabilitation. Further research is needed to expand the clinical utility of NIBS and test the combination of different modes of NIBS to optimize neuromodulation induced clinical benefits.
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Szulczewski MT. Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Combined With Slow Breathing: Speculations on Potential Applications and Technical Considerations. Neuromodulation 2021; 25:380-394. [PMID: 35396070 DOI: 10.1111/ner.13458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a relatively novel noninvasive neurostimulation method that is believed to mimic the effects of invasive cervical VNS. It has recently been suggested that the effectiveness of taVNS can be enhanced by combining it with controlled slow breathing. Slow breathing modulates the activity of the vagus nerve and is used in behavioral medicine to decrease psychophysiological arousal. Based on studies that examine the effects of taVNS and slow breathing separately, this article speculates on some of the conditions in which this combination treatment may prove effective. Furthermore, based on findings from studies on the optimization of taVNS and slow breathing, this article provides guidance on how to combine taVNS with slow breathing. MATERIALS AND METHODS A nonsystematic review. RESULTS Both taVNS and slow breathing are considered promising add-on therapeutic approaches for anxiety and depressive disorders, chronic pain, cardiovascular diseases, and insomnia. Therefore, taVNS combined with slow breathing may produce additive or even synergistic beneficial effects in these conditions. Studies on respiratory-gated taVNS during spontaneous breathing suggest that taVNS should be delivered during expiration. Therefore, this article proposes to use taVNS as a breathing pacer to indicate when and for how long to exhale during slow breathing exercises. CONCLUSIONS Combining taVNS with slow breathing seems to be a promising hybrid neurostimulation and behavioral intervention.
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Capone F, Motolese F, Di Zazzo A, Antonini M, Magliozzi A, Rossi M, Marano M, Pilato F, Musumeci G, Coassin M, Di Lazzaro V. The effects of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation on pupil size. Clin Neurophysiol 2021; 132:1859-1865. [PMID: 34147923 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mechanisms of action and optimal stimulation parameters of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) are currently unknown. Pupil size has gained attention as a promising biomarker of vagal activation in different studies on animal models. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of taVNS on pupil diameter in healthy subjects. METHODS All subjects received taVNS at the left external acoustic meatus and control stimulation at the left earlobe during the same experimental session. Different intensities (0.5 mA; 1.0 mA; 2.0 mA; 3.0 mA) for both conditions were tested. Tonic pupil size was recorded in both eyes at baseline and during each stimulation using an infrared-automated pupillometer in three different illuminance conditions (scotopic, mesopic, photopic). RESULTS In scotopic illuminance condition, a significant interaction between intensity and condition (real vs control) was found for the left eye. Post-Hoc analysis showed that during real taVNS at 2 mA, pupil size was significantly larger in comparison to baseline and 2 mA control stimulation. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that taVNS induces pupil dilation under specific illuminance conditions and at specific stimulation intensity. SIGNIFICANCE The effects of taVNS are strictly dependent on technical aspects, such as stimulation parameters and experimental set-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fioravante Capone
- Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy; NeXT: Neurophysiology and Neuroengineering of Human-Technology Interaction Research Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesco Motolese
- Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy; NeXT: Neurophysiology and Neuroengineering of Human-Technology Interaction Research Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Zazzo
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Antonini
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Magliozzi
- Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Rossi
- Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Marano
- Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Pilato
- Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Musumeci
- NeXT: Neurophysiology and Neuroengineering of Human-Technology Interaction Research Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Coassin
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
- Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
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Rodrigues B, Barboza CA, Moura EG, Ministro G, Ferreira-Melo SE, Castaño JB, Ruberti OM, De Amorim RFB, Moreno H. Transcranial direct current stimulation modulates autonomic nervous system and reduces ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensives. Clin Exp Hypertens 2021; 43:320-327. [PMID: 33423544 DOI: 10.1080/10641963.2021.1871916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) seems to positively modulate the autonomic nervous system in different clinical conditions and healthy subjects; however, its effects on hypertensive (HTN) patients are not completely known. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a tDCS or SHAM session (20 min) on blood pressure (BP) and autonomic variables of HTN patients.Materials and Methods: Subjects (n = 13) were randomly submitted to SHAM and tDCS sessions (1 week of washout). Hemodynamic and autonomic variables were measured at baseline, during, and immediately after tDCS or SHAM stimulation (Finometer®, Beatscope). Ambulatory BP measurement (ABPM) was evaluated after the experimental period.Results: Hemodynamic variables were not changed by tDCS, except for the fall in peripheral vascular resistance (Δ = -1696.51 ± 204.65 dyn.s/cm5). After the tDCS, sympathetic modulation was decreased (-61.47%), and vagal modulation was increased (+38.09%). Such acute autonomic changes may have evoked positive results observed in 24 hs-systolic blood pressure (Δ = -8.4 ± 6.2; P = .0022) and 24hs-diastolic blood pressure (Δ = -5.4 ± 4.2; P = .0010) in tDCS subjects compared with that in SHAM.Conclusion: These findings suggest that the tDCS could promote positive acute adjustments on cardiac autonomic control and reduced values on 24-hs BP of HTN patients. More than a proof-of-concept, these results may point out to the future, where brain stimulation (tDCS) can be used to HTN syndromes, such as refractory HTN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Rodrigues
- School of Physical Education, Department of Adapted Physical Activity, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology & Hypertension, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Catarina A Barboza
- School of Physical Education, Department of Adapted Physical Activity, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology & Hypertension, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Eliezer G Moura
- School of Physical Education, Department of Adapted Physical Activity, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology & Hypertension, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Ministro
- School of Physical Education, Department of Adapted Physical Activity, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology & Hypertension, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Silvia E Ferreira-Melo
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology & Hypertension, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Javier B Castaño
- School of Physical Education, Department of Adapted Physical Activity, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology & Hypertension, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Olivia M Ruberti
- Laboratory of Vascular Biology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Heitor Moreno
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pharmacology & Hypertension, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
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Rzepiński Ł, Zawadka-Kunikowska M, Newton JL, Zalewski P. Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction in Myasthenia Gravis and Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis-A Pilot Study. J Clin Med 2021; 10:2173. [PMID: 34069830 PMCID: PMC8157285 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10102173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study assessed cardiac autonomic response to head-up tilt test (HUTT) in 23 myasthenia gravis (MG) and 23 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients compared to 30 healthy controls (HC). Task Force® Monitor was used to evaluate cardiac inotropy parameters, baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), heart rate (HRV), and blood pressure variability (BPV) during HUTT. MG patients were characterized by reduced BRS (p < 0.05), post-HUTT decrease in high-frequency component (p < 0.05) and increase in sympathovagal ratio of HRV (p < 0.05) when compared to controls indicating parasympathetic deficiency with a shift of sympathovagal balance toward sympathetic predominance. Compared to HC, MG patients also showed lower cardiac inotropy parameters, specifically, left ventricular work index (LVWI) during supine rest (p < 0.05) as well as LVWI and cardiac index values in response to orthostatic stress (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Compared to controls, RRMS patients were characterized by lower HRV delta power spectral density (p < 0.05) and delta low-frequency HRV (p < 0.05) in response to HUTT suggesting combined sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction. There were no differences in cardiac autonomic parameters between MG and MS patients (p > 0.05). Our study highlights the possibility of cardiac and autonomic dysfunction in patients with MG and RRMS which should be considered in the pharmacological and rehabilitation approach to managing these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Rzepiński
- Department of Neurology, 10th Military Research Hospital and Polyclinic, Powstańców Warszawy 5, 85-681 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Monika Zawadka-Kunikowska
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.Z.-K.); (P.Z.)
| | - Julia L. Newton
- Population Health Science Institute, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 4HH, UK;
| | - Paweł Zalewski
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.Z.-K.); (P.Z.)
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48
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Verma N, Mudge JD, Kasole M, Chen RC, Blanz SL, Trevathan JK, Lovett EG, Williams JC, Ludwig KA. Auricular Vagus Neuromodulation-A Systematic Review on Quality of Evidence and Clinical Effects. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:664740. [PMID: 33994937 PMCID: PMC8120162 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.664740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The auricular branch of the vagus nerve runs superficially, which makes it a favorable target for non-invasive stimulation techniques to modulate vagal activity. For this reason, there have been many early-stage clinical trials on a diverse range of conditions. These trials often report conflicting results for the same indication. Methods: Using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool we conducted a systematic review of auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS) randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to identify the factors that led to these conflicting results. The majority of aVNS studies were assessed as having "some" or "high" risk of bias, which makes it difficult to interpret their results in a broader context. Results: There is evidence of a modest decrease in heart rate during higher stimulation dosages, sometimes at above the level of sensory discomfort. Findings on heart rate variability conflict between studies and are hindered by trial design, including inappropriate washout periods, and multiple methods used to quantify heart rate variability. There is early-stage evidence to suggest aVNS may reduce circulating levels and endotoxin-induced levels of inflammatory markers. Studies on epilepsy reached primary endpoints similar to previous RCTs testing implantable vagus nerve stimulation therapy. Preliminary evidence shows that aVNS ameliorated pathological pain but not evoked pain. Discussion: Based on results of the Cochrane analysis we list common improvements for the reporting of results, which can be implemented immediately to improve the quality of evidence. In the long term, existing data from aVNS studies and salient lessons from drug development highlight the need for direct measures of local neural target engagement. Direct measures of neural activity around the electrode will provide data for the optimization of electrode design, placement, and stimulation waveform parameters to improve on-target engagement and minimize off-target activation. Furthermore, direct measures of target engagement, along with consistent evaluation of blinding success, must be used to improve the design of controls-a major source of concern identified in the Cochrane analysis. The need for direct measures of neural target engagement and consistent evaluation of blinding success is applicable to the development of other paresthesia-inducing neuromodulation therapies and their control designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishant Verma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Wisconsin Institute for Translational Neuroengineering (WITNe) – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Jonah D. Mudge
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Wisconsin Institute for Translational Neuroengineering (WITNe) – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Maïsha Kasole
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Wisconsin Institute for Translational Neuroengineering (WITNe) – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Rex C. Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Wisconsin Institute for Translational Neuroengineering (WITNe) – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Stephan L. Blanz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Wisconsin Institute for Translational Neuroengineering (WITNe) – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - James K. Trevathan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Wisconsin Institute for Translational Neuroengineering (WITNe) – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | | | - Justin C. Williams
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Wisconsin Institute for Translational Neuroengineering (WITNe) – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Kip A. Ludwig
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Wisconsin Institute for Translational Neuroengineering (WITNe) – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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49
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Farmer AD, Strzelczyk A, Finisguerra A, Gourine AV, Gharabaghi A, Hasan A, Burger AM, Jaramillo AM, Mertens A, Majid A, Verkuil B, Badran BW, Ventura-Bort C, Gaul C, Beste C, Warren CM, Quintana DS, Hämmerer D, Freri E, Frangos E, Tobaldini E, Kaniusas E, Rosenow F, Capone F, Panetsos F, Ackland GL, Kaithwas G, O'Leary GH, Genheimer H, Jacobs HIL, Van Diest I, Schoenen J, Redgrave J, Fang J, Deuchars J, Széles JC, Thayer JF, More K, Vonck K, Steenbergen L, Vianna LC, McTeague LM, Ludwig M, Veldhuizen MG, De Couck M, Casazza M, Keute M, Bikson M, Andreatta M, D'Agostini M, Weymar M, Betts M, Prigge M, Kaess M, Roden M, Thai M, Schuster NM, Montano N, Hansen N, Kroemer NB, Rong P, Fischer R, Howland RH, Sclocco R, Sellaro R, Garcia RG, Bauer S, Gancheva S, Stavrakis S, Kampusch S, Deuchars SA, Wehner S, Laborde S, Usichenko T, Polak T, Zaehle T, Borges U, Teckentrup V, Jandackova VK, Napadow V, Koenig J. International Consensus Based Review and Recommendations for Minimum Reporting Standards in Research on Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (Version 2020). Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 14:568051. [PMID: 33854421 PMCID: PMC8040977 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.568051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Given its non-invasive nature, there is increasing interest in the use of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) across basic, translational and clinical research. Contemporaneously, tVNS can be achieved by stimulating either the auricular branch or the cervical bundle of the vagus nerve, referred to as transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation(VNS) and transcutaneous cervical VNS, respectively. In order to advance the field in a systematic manner, studies using these technologies need to adequately report sufficient methodological detail to enable comparison of results between studies, replication of studies, as well as enhancing study participant safety. We systematically reviewed the existing tVNS literature to evaluate current reporting practices. Based on this review, and consensus among participating authors, we propose a set of minimal reporting items to guide future tVNS studies. The suggested items address specific technical aspects of the device and stimulation parameters. We also cover general recommendations including inclusion and exclusion criteria for participants, outcome parameters and the detailed reporting of side effects. Furthermore, we review strategies used to identify the optimal stimulation parameters for a given research setting and summarize ongoing developments in animal research with potential implications for the application of tVNS in humans. Finally, we discuss the potential of tVNS in future research as well as the associated challenges across several disciplines in research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D. Farmer
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Strzelczyk
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Alexander V. Gourine
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neuroscience, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alireza Gharabaghi
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, University Hospital and University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Alkomiet Hasan
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas M. Burger
- Laboratory for Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Ann Mertens
- Department of Neurology, Institute for Neuroscience, 4Brain, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - Arshad Majid
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Bart Verkuil
- Clinical Psychology and the Leiden Institute of Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Bashar W. Badran
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Carlos Ventura-Bort
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Charly Gaul
- Migraine and Headache Clinic Koenigstein, Königstein im Taunus, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Daniel S. Quintana
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dorothea Hämmerer
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences Magdeburg (CBBS), Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Elena Freri
- Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleni Frangos
- Pain and Integrative Neuroscience Branch, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Eleonora Tobaldini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Eugenijus Kaniusas
- Institute of Electrodynamics, Microwave and Circuit Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
- SzeleSTIM GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Felix Rosenow
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Fioravante Capone
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Fivos Panetsos
- Faculty of Biology and Faculty of Optics, Complutense University of Madrid and Institute for Health Research, San Carlos Clinical Hospital (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gareth L. Ackland
- Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gaurav Kaithwas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Lucknow, India
| | - Georgia H. O'Leary
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Hannah Genheimer
- Department of Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Heidi I. L. Jacobs
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ilse Van Diest
- Research Group Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean Schoenen
- Headache Research Unit, Department of Neurology-Citadelle Hospital, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Jessica Redgrave
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Jiliang Fang
- Functional Imaging Lab, Department of Radiology, Guang An Men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jim Deuchars
- School of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Jozsef C. Széles
- Division for Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julian F. Thayer
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Kaushik More
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Neuromodulatory Networks, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Kristl Vonck
- Department of Neurology, Institute for Neuroscience, 4Brain, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - Laura Steenbergen
- Clinical and Cognitive Psychology and the Leiden Institute of Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Lauro C. Vianna
- NeuroV̇ASQ̇ - Integrative Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Education, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Lisa M. McTeague
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Mareike Ludwig
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Maria G. Veldhuizen
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marijke De Couck
- Faculty of Health Care, University College Odisee, Aalst, Belgium
- Division of Epileptology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Casazza
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marius Keute
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, University Hospital and University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Marom Bikson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City College of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Marta Andreatta
- Department of Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Martina D'Agostini
- Research Group Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mathias Weymar
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Matthew Betts
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Prigge
- Neuromodulatory Networks, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Section for Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Roden
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Munich, Germany
| | - Michelle Thai
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Nathaniel M. Schuster
- Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Pain Medicine, University of California, San Diego Health System, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Nicola Montano
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Niels Hansen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience and Imaging in Psychiatry (SNIPLab), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nils B. Kroemer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peijing Rong
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rico Fischer
- Department of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Robert H. Howland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Roberta Sclocco
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States
- Department of Radiology, Logan University, Chesterfield, MO, United States
| | - Roberta Sellaro
- Cognitive Psychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ronald G. Garcia
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sebastian Bauer
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sofiya Gancheva
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Stavros Stavrakis
- Faculty of Biological Science, School of Biomedical Science, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Kampusch
- Institute of Electrodynamics, Microwave and Circuit Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
- SzeleSTIM GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susan A. Deuchars
- School of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Sven Wehner
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sylvain Laborde
- Department of Performance Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Deutsche Sporthochschule, Köln, Germany
| | - Taras Usichenko
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Thomas Polak
- Laboratory of Functional Neurovascular Diagnostics, AG Early Diagnosis of Dementia, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tino Zaehle
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Uirassu Borges
- Department of Performance Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Deutsche Sporthochschule, Köln, Germany
- Department of Social and Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Deutsche Sporthochschule, Köln, Germany
| | - Vanessa Teckentrup
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Vera K. Jandackova
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
- Department of Human Movement Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Vitaly Napadow
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States
- Department of Radiology, Logan University, Chesterfield, MO, United States
| | - Julian Koenig
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Section for Experimental Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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50
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Machetanz K, Berelidze L, Guggenberger R, Gharabaghi A. Brain-Heart Interaction During Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:632697. [PMID: 33790736 PMCID: PMC8005577 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.632697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) modulates brain activity and heart function. The induced parasympathetic predominance leads to an increase of heart rate variability (HRV). Knowledge on the corresponding cortical activation pattern is, however, scarce. We hypothesized taVNS-induced HRV increases to be related to modulation of cortical activity that regulates the autonomic outflow to the heart. MATERIALS AND METHODS In thirteen healthy subjects, we simultaneously recorded 64-channel electroencephalography and electrocardiography during taVNS. Two taVNS stimulation targets were investigated, i.e., the cymba conchae and inner tragus, and compared to active control stimulation in the anatomical vicinity, i.e., at the crus helicis and outer tragus. We used intermitted stimulation bursts of 25 Hz applied at a periodicity of 1 Hz. HRV was estimated with different time-domain methodologies: standard deviation of RR (SDNN), the root mean squares of successive differences (RMSSD), the percentage of RR-intervals with at least 50 ms deviation from the preceding RR-interval (pNN50), and the difference of consecutive RR intervals weighted by their mean (rrHRV). RESULTS The stimulation-induced HRV increases corresponded to frequency-specific oscillatory modulation of different cortical areas. All stimulation targets induced power modulations that were proportional to the HRV elevation. The most prominent changes that corresponded to HRV increases across all parameters and stimulation locations were frontal elevations in the theta-band. In the delta-band, there were frontal increases (RMSSD, pNN50, rrHRV, SDNN) and decreases (SDNN) across stimulation sites. In higher frequencies, there was a more divers activity pattern: Outer tragus/crus helicis stimulation increased oscillatory activity with the most prominent changes for the SDNN in frontal (alpha-band, beta-band) and fronto-parietal (gamma-band) areas. During inner tragus/cymba conchae stimulation the predominant pattern was a distributed power decrease, particularly in the fronto-parietal gamma-band. CONCLUSION Neuro-cardiac interactions can be modulated by electrical stimulation at different auricular locations. Increased HRV during stimulation is correlated with frequency-specific increases and decreases of oscillatory activity in different brain areas. When applying specific HRV measures, cortical patterns related to parasympathetic (RMSSD, pNN50, rrHRV) and sympathetic (SDNN) modulation can be identified. Thus, cortical oscillations may be used to define stimulation locations and parameters for research and therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Machetanz
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Alireza Gharabaghi
- Institute for Neuromodulation and Neurotechnology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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