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Zhang H, Zhao Y, Qu Y, Du J, Peng Y. Transcutaneous Cervical Vagus Nerve Magnetic Stimulation in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Feasibility Study. Neuromodulation 2023:S1094-7159(23)00747-X. [PMID: 37865889 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation has shown promising results in improving cognitive and motor function after stroke. However, to our knowledge, there have been no studies in the modulation of the cervical vagus nerve using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) with cognitive dysfunction. Thus, we conducted a single-arm feasibility trial to assess the safety and effectiveness of rTMS of the vagus nerve in patients with TBI. MATERIALS AND METHODS We enrolled ten patients with TBI and administered half-hour vagus nerve magnetic stimulation (VNMS) sessions for ten days to evaluate the feasibility of the treatment. The Montreal cognitive assessment-Beijing (MoCA-B), the Digit Span Test, and the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) were used to measure cognitive function before and after the VNMS treatment. Physiological parameters of all subjects were assessed by electrocardiogram. RESULTS The findings showed that daily half-hour VNMS for ten days was feasible in patients with TBI, with minimal side effects and no clinically significant effects on physiological parameters. Eight patients showed improvement in MoCA-B, and five patients showed improvement in immediate memory as measured by AVLT. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that VNMS is a safe and feasible treatment option for patients with TBI with cognitive dysfunction. However, further controlled studies are necessary to establish the efficacy of VNMS in promoting cognitive recovery after TBI. SIGNIFICANCE This study is, to our knowledge, the first study to investigate the feasibility of VNMS for cognitive dysfunction in patients with TBI. Our findings offer the possibility of rTMS applied to the vagus nerve in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Clinical Medical College of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong Central Hospital, Nanchong, Sichuan, China; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; College of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Clinical Medical College of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong Central Hospital, Nanchong, Sichuan, China; College of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Yun Qu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Clinical Medical College of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong Central Hospital, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi Peng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Clinical Medical College of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong Central Hospital, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
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Berger A, Carapancea E, Vespa S, Danthine V, Doguet P, Delbeke J, Nonclercq A, El Tahry R. Vagus nerve stimulation-induced laryngeal motor evoked potentials for response prediction and intensity titration in drug-resistant epilepsy. Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 147:99-107. [PMID: 36764043 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to record Laryngeal Motor Evoked Potentials (LMEPs) in Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)-implanted patients suffering from Drug-Resistant Epilepsy (DRE). Based on these recordings, LMEPs characteristics were evaluated and compared between responders (R) and non-responders (NR). Finally, possible under- or over-stimulation was assessed based on a physiological indicator of fiber engagement. METHODS Mean dose-response curves were compared between R and NR. A Support Vector Machine (SVM) model was built based on both LMEP and dose-response curves features, to discriminate R from NR. For the exploration of possible under- or over-stimulation, a ratio between the clinically applied stimulation intensity and the intensity yielding to LMEP saturation was computed for each patient. RESULTS A trend towards a greater excitability of the nerve was observed in R compared to NR. The SVM classifier discriminated R and NR with an accuracy of 80%. An ineffective attempt to overstimulate at current levels above what is usually necessary to obtain clinical benefits was suggested in NR. CONCLUSIONS The SVM model built emphasizes a possible link between vagus nerve recruitment characteristics and treatment effectiveness. Most of the clinically responding patients receive VNS at a stimulation intensity 1-fold and 2-fold the intensity inducing LMEP saturation. SIGNIFICANCE LMEP saturation could be a practical help in guiding the titration of the stimulation parameters using a physiological indicator of fiber engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Berger
- Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS), Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium; Synergia Medical SA, Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium; Sleep and Chronobiology Lab, GIGA-Institute, CRC-In Vivo Imaging Unit, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
| | - Evelina Carapancea
- Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS), Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Simone Vespa
- Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS), Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Venethia Danthine
- Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS), Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Jean Delbeke
- Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS), Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium; Institute of Neuroscience, LCEN3, Department of Neurology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Antoine Nonclercq
- Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS), Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium; Bio, Electro and Mechanical Systems Department (BEAMS), Ecole Polytechnique de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Riëm El Tahry
- Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS), Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium; Center for Refractory Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium; Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and Biotechnology (WELBIO) Department, WEL Research Institute, Avenue Pasteur 6, 1300 Wavre, Belgium
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Muthiah N, Sharma N, Vodovotz L, White GE, Abel TJ. Predictors of vagus nerve stimulation complications among pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. J Neurosurg Pediatr 2022; 30:284-291. [PMID: 35901694 DOI: 10.3171/2022.6.peds2289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Complications from vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) procedures are common and can have important implications for morbidity and seizure control, yet predictors of complications are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to assess clinical factors associated with minor and major complications from VNS procedures among pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. METHODS The authors performed an 11-year retrospective review of patients who underwent VNS procedures for drug-resistant epilepsy at age < 21 years. The primary outcome was complications (minor or major) following VNS surgery. Preoperative and surgery characteristics were compared between patients who developed versus those who did not develop complications. Multivariable Poisson regression was performed to determine the association between preoperative characteristics and infection. RESULTS Of 686 surgeries, 48 complications (7.0%) developed; there were 7 minor complications (1.0%) and 41 major complications (6.0%). Surgeries with minor complications were an average of 68 minutes longer than those without minor complications (p < 0.001). The incidence rate of infection was 1 per 100 person-years, with 3% of procedures complicated by infection. Poisson regression revealed that after adjusting for age at surgery, duration of surgery, and primarily motor seizure semiology, the incident rate of infection for revision surgeries preceded by ≥ 2 procedures was 19 times that of first-time revisions. CONCLUSIONS The overall minor complication rate was 1% and the overall major complication rate was 6% for VNS procedures. Longer surgery duration was associated with the development of minor complications but not major complications. Repeat incisions to the VNS pocket may be associated with higher incident rate of infection, highlighting a need for longer-lasting VNS pulse generator models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nikhil Sharma
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh
| | - Lena Vodovotz
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh
| | - Gretchen E White
- 2Institute for Clinical Research Education, University of Pittsburgh; and
| | - Taylor J Abel
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh
- 3Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Carron R, Roncon P, Lagarde S, Dibué M, Zanello M, Bartolomei F. Latest Views on the Mechanisms of Action of Surgically Implanted Cervical Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Epilepsy. Neuromodulation 2022; 26:498-506. [PMID: 36064522 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.08.447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is approved as an adjunctive treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy. Although there is a substantial amount of literature aiming at unraveling the mechanisms of action of VNS in epilepsy, it is still unclear how the cascade of events triggered by VNS leads to its antiepileptic effect. OBJECTIVE In this review, we integrated available peer-reviewed data on the effects of VNS in clinical and experimental research to identify those that are putatively responsible for its therapeutic effect. The topic of transcutaneous VNS will not be covered owing to the current lack of data supporting the differences and commonalities of its mechanisms of action in relation to invasive VNS. SUMMARY OF THE MAIN FINDINGS There is compelling evidence that the effect is obtained through the stimulation of large-diameter afferent myelinated fibers that project to the solitary tract nucleus, then to the parabrachial nucleus, which in turn alters the activity of the limbic system, thalamus, and cortex. VNS-induced catecholamine release from the locus coeruleus in the brainstem plays a pivotal role. Functional imaging studies tend to point toward a common vagal network that comes into play, made up of the amygdalo-hippocampal regions, left thalamus, and insular cortex. CONCLUSIONS Even though some crucial pieces are missing, neurochemical, molecular, cellular, and electrophysiological changes occur within the vagal afferent network at three main levels (the brainstem, the limbic system [amygdala and hippocampus], and the cortex). At this final level, VNS notably alters functional connectivity, which is known to be abnormally high within the epileptic zone and was shown to be significantly decreased by VNS in responders. The effect of crucial VNS parameters such as frequency or current amplitude on functional connectivity metrics is of utmost importance and requires further investigation.
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Ottaviani MM, Vallone F, Micera S, Recchia FA. Closed-Loop Vagus Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases: State of the Art and Future Directions. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:866957. [PMID: 35463766 PMCID: PMC9021417 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.866957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The autonomic nervous system exerts a fine beat-to-beat regulation of cardiovascular functions and is consequently involved in the onset and progression of many cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Selective neuromodulation of the brain-heart axis with advanced neurotechnologies is an emerging approach to corroborate CVDs treatment when classical pharmacological agents show limited effectiveness. The vagus nerve is a major component of the cardiac neuroaxis, and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a promising application to restore autonomic function under various pathological conditions. VNS has led to encouraging results in animal models of CVDs, but its translation to clinical practice has not been equally successful, calling for more investigation to optimize this technique. Herein we reviewed the state of the art of VNS for CVDs and discuss avenues for therapeutic optimization. Firstly, we provided a succinct description of cardiac vagal innervation anatomy and physiology and principles of VNS. Then, we examined the main clinical applications of VNS in CVDs and the related open challenges. Finally, we presented preclinical studies that aim at overcoming VNS limitations through optimization of anatomical targets, development of novel neural interface technologies, and design of efficient VNS closed-loop protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Maria Ottaviani
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Excellence in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Vallone
- Department of Excellence in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvestro Micera
- Department of Excellence in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Translational Neural Engineering, Center for Neuroprosthetics, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Fabio A. Recchia
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Bouckaert C, Raedt R, Larsen LE, El Tahry R, Gadeyne S, Carrette E, Proesmans S, Dewaele F, Delbeke J, De Herdt V, Meurs A, Mertens A, Boon P, Vonck K. Laryngeal Muscle-Evoked Potential Recording as an Indicator of Vagal Nerve Fiber Activation. Neuromodulation 2022; 25:461-470. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Vespa S, Heyse J, Stumpp L, Liberati G, Ferrao Santos S, Rooijakkers H, Nonclercq A, Mouraux A, van Mierlo P, El Tahry R. Vagus Nerve Stimulation Elicits Sleep EEG Desynchronization and Network Changes in Responder Patients in Epilepsy. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:2623-2638. [PMID: 34668148 PMCID: PMC8804116 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01124-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural desynchronization was shown as a key mechanism of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) action in epilepsy, and EEG synchronization measures are explored as possible response biomarkers. Since brain functional organization in sleep shows different synchrony and network properties compared to wakefulness, we aimed to explore the effects of acute VNS on EEG-derived measures in the two different states of vigilance. EEG epochs were retrospectively analyzed from twenty-four VNS-treated epileptic patients (11 responders, 13 non-responders) in calm wakefulness and stage N2 sleep. Weighted Phase Lag Index (wPLI) was computed as connectivity measure of synchronization, for VNS OFF and VNS ON conditions. Global efficiency (GE) was computed as a network measure of integration. Ratios OFF/ON were obtained as desynchronization/de-integration index. Values were compared between responders and non-responders, and between EEG states. ROC curve and area-under-the-curve (AUC) analysis was performed for response classification. In responders, stronger VNS-induced theta desynchronization (p < 0.05) and decreased GE (p < 0.05) were found in sleep, but not in wakefulness. Theta sleep wPLI Ratio OFF/ON yielded an AUC of 0.825, and 79% accuracy as a response biomarker if a cut-off value is set at 1.05. Considering all patients, the VNS-induced GE decrease was significantly more important in sleep compared to awake EEG state (p < 0.01). In conclusion, stronger sleep EEG desynchronization in theta band distinguishes responders to VNS therapy from non-responders. VNS-induced reduction of network integration occurs significantly more in sleep than in wakefulness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Vespa
- Institute of Neuroscience (IONS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Mounier, 53 - 1200, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Jolan Heyse
- Medical Image and Signal Processing Group (MEDISIP), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lars Stumpp
- Institute of Neuroscience (IONS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Mounier, 53 - 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Giulia Liberati
- Institute of Neuroscience (IONS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Mounier, 53 - 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Susana Ferrao Santos
- Institute of Neuroscience (IONS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Mounier, 53 - 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Centre for Refractory Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Herbert Rooijakkers
- Centre for Refractory Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Antoine Nonclercq
- Bio, Electro and Mechanical Systems (BEAMS), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - André Mouraux
- Institute of Neuroscience (IONS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Mounier, 53 - 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pieter van Mierlo
- Medical Image and Signal Processing Group (MEDISIP), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Riëm El Tahry
- Institute of Neuroscience (IONS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Mounier, 53 - 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Centre for Refractory Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
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Cracchiolo M, Ottaviani MM, Panarese A, Strauss I, Vallone F, Mazzoni A, Micera S. Bioelectronic medicine for the autonomic nervous system: clinical applications and perspectives. J Neural Eng 2021; 18. [PMID: 33592597 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/abe6b9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Bioelectronic medicine (BM) is an emerging new approach for developing novel neuromodulation therapies for pathologies that have been previously treated with pharmacological approaches. In this review, we will focus on the neuromodulation of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity with implantable devices, a field of BM that has already demonstrated the ability to treat a variety of conditions, from inflammation to metabolic and cognitive disorders. Recent discoveries about immune responses to ANS stimulation are the laying foundation for a new field holding great potential for medical advancement and therapies and involving an increasing number of research groups around the world, with funding from international public agencies and private investors. Here, we summarize the current achievements and future perspectives for clinical applications of neural decoding and stimulation of the ANS. First, we present the main clinical results achieved so far by different BM approaches and discuss the challenges encountered in fully exploiting the potential of neuromodulatory strategies. Then, we present current preclinical studies aimed at overcoming the present limitations by looking for optimal anatomical targets, developing novel neural interface technology, and conceiving more efficient signal processing strategies. Finally, we explore the prospects for translating these advancements into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Cracchiolo
- The BioRobotics Institute and Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Maria Ottaviani
- The BioRobotics Institute and Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Panarese
- The BioRobotics Institute and Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ivo Strauss
- The BioRobotics Institute and Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Vallone
- The BioRobotics Institute and Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Mazzoni
- The BioRobotics Institute and Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvestro Micera
- The BioRobotics Institute and Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.,Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Translational NeuroEngineering, Centre for Neuroprosthetics and Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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Chang YC, Cracchiolo M, Ahmed U, Mughrabi I, Gabalski A, Daytz A, Rieth L, Becker L, Datta-Chaudhuri T, Al-Abed Y, Zanos TP, Zanos S. Quantitative estimation of nerve fiber engagement by vagus nerve stimulation using physiological markers. Brain Stimul 2020; 13:1617-1630. [PMID: 32956868 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2020.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an emerging bioelectronic treatment for brain, metabolic, cardiovascular and immune disorders. Its desired and off-target effects are mediated by different nerve fiber populations and knowledge of their engagement could guide calibration and monitoring of VNS therapies. OBJECTIVE Stimulus-evoked compound action potentials (eCAPs) directly provide fiber engagement information but are currently not feasible in humans. A method to estimate fiber engagement through common, noninvasive physiological readouts could be used in place of eCAP measurements. METHODS In anesthetized rats, we recorded eCAPs while registering acute physiological response markers to VNS: cervical electromyography (EMG), changes in heart rate (ΔHR) and breathing interval (ΔBI). Quantitative models were established to capture the relationship between A-, B- and C-fiber type activation and those markers, and to quantitatively estimate fiber activation from physiological markers and stimulation parameters. RESULTS In bivariate analyses, we found that EMG correlates with A-fiber, ΔHR with B-fiber and ΔBI with C-fiber activation, in agreement with known physiological functions of the vagus. We compiled multivariate models for quantitative estimation of fiber engagement from these markers and stimulation parameters. Finally, we compiled frequency gain models that allow estimation of fiber engagement at a wide range of VNS frequencies. Our models, after calibration in humans, could provide noninvasive estimation of fiber engagement in current and future therapeutic applications of VNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Chuan Chang
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Marina Cracchiolo
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA; The BioRobotics Institute and Department of Excellence in Robotics and AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, 56127, Italy
| | - Umair Ahmed
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Ibrahim Mughrabi
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Arielle Gabalski
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Anna Daytz
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Loren Rieth
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Lance Becker
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Timir Datta-Chaudhuri
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Yousef Al-Abed
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Theodoros P Zanos
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA
| | - Stavros Zanos
- Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA.
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