Articles tagged with Vagus Nerve
Researchers have identified a novel gut-brain neural circuit establishing the vagus nerve as essential for regulating reward and motivation. The study reveals that stimulating the right branch of the vagus nerve can excite reward neurons in the brain, offering potential targets for therapy for eating and emotional disorders.
A recent study found that vagus nerve stimulation significantly improves quality-of-life measures in treatment-resistant depression patients. The therapy shows promise for individuals who don't respond to traditional antidepressants or experience only partial improvement.
Researchers found that the vagus nerve's connection to the brain's memory center, hippocampus, plays a crucial role in spatial awareness and food recall. The study suggests that gut-brain axis may have been used by early humans as a navigational system, enabling them to remember food sources and return repeatedly.
Researchers are testing a neurostimulation technique using a vagus nerve stimulator to boost motor recovery in stroke patients with poor arm function. The study has shown promising results, with approximately 85% of participants benefiting from the treatment.
Researchers at UT Dallas paired vagus nerve stimulation with physical therapy to improve upper limb function in rodents. The results showed a significant increase in engaged neurons and sustained improvement months beyond VNS-paired therapy.
The journal Bioelectronics in Medicine explores the innovative field of bioelectronic neural prostheses, aiming to revolutionize healthcare. The first issue features articles on vagus nerve stimulation, neuromodulation, and peripheral nerves, among others.
Researchers successfully restored consciousness in a 35-year-old man who had been in a vegetative state for 15 years after implanting a vagus nerve stimulator. The study reveals major changes in brain activity and connectivity, suggesting that right intervention can yield changes in consciousness even in severe clinical cases.
A recent study found that people who had a truncal vagotomy at least five years earlier were 40% less likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those who did not have the surgery. The study suggests that the gut may play a role in the development of Parkinson's disease, which often involves gastrointestinal problems.
Researchers at UT Dallas are investigating a technique to accelerate language learning by stimulating the vagus nerve during specific tasks. The goal is to improve the brain's natural ability to learn and potentially benefit individuals with learning impairments or conditions such as autism.
A new preclinical study suggests that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy could help people overcome drug addiction by teaching them new behaviors. VNS was found to reduce drug cravings in addicted rats, with the animals pressing the lever less frequently over time.
A laboratory study found that alpha-synuclein, a protein involved in Parkinson's disease, can travel from the brain to the stomach via specific nerve pathways. The protein was detected in gastric nerve terminals six months after its initial midbrain expression.
The new therapy uses a kilohertz frequency electrical block of afferent vagus nerve pathways to stimulate the nerve while inhibiting unwanted nerve activity, increasing clinical efficacy and therapeutic benefit. This approach is reversible, controllable, and clinically feasible, providing a potential solution for chronic inflammatory d...
A new study published in PNAS shows that vagus nerve stimulation significantly improves measures of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment, which involves stimulating the vagus nerve with an implantable device, has been shown to inhibit cytokine production and attenuate disease severity in humans.
Researchers report successful reduction of depressive symptoms in patients using a novel non-invasive method of vagus nerve stimulation. The transcutaneous approach, which stimulates the vagus nerve through electrodes clipped onto the ear, shows promise as a low-cost and safe treatment option.
A new study published in the journal Stroke demonstrates that vagus nerve stimulation can improve recovery in stroke patients by reducing impairments and increasing motion and strength in affected arms. The trial involved 20 patients with arm weakness due to stroke, showing significant potential for reducing disabilities.
Researchers at UT Dallas have made a breakthrough in developing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy for spinal cord injuries outside the forebrain. The study found that VNS paired with rehabilitation can restore 75% more forelimb strength after a cervical spinal cord injury, opening up new possibilities for treatment.
Researchers found that patients who had undergone vagotomy were protected against developing Parkinson's disease, with a risk halved after 20 years. The study suggests that Parkinson's disease begins in the gut and spreads via the vagus nerve to the brain.
Scientists have identified two sensory neuron subtypes controlling different respiratory functions in mice, revealing a complex vagus nerve system that may lead to targeted therapies. The study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying breathing control and has implications for treating various conditions.
The ANTHEM-HF study shows significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction and 6-minute walk test distance with both left and right vagus nerve stimulation. However, the improvement was significantly less with left-sided VNS compared to right-sided VNS.
New research shows how psychology affects our daily lives, revealing insights into common emotions, love, and meaning. Scientists explored emotional connections to spaces, the impact of micro-moments on well-being, moral questions and myths about life's meaning.
Researchers at UT Dallas have developed a new treatment for stroke recovery using vagus nerve stimulation, which showed full recovery of forelimb strength in rats. The treatment involves pairing stimulation with rehabilitative training to enhance neuroplasticity and improve recovery outcomes.
Researchers found that vagus nerve stimulation brings about changes in brain metabolism weeks or months before patients begin to feel better. The treatment was able to improve symptoms of depression in 9 out of 13 participants, with significant changes in brain metabolism occurring far in advance of any improvement in mood.
Researchers at UT Dallas discovered that nerve stimulation can reorganize the brain, leading to potential new treatments for stroke, tinnitus, autism, and other disorders. The technology involves pairing vagus nerve stimulation with specific experiences, such as movements or sounds, to alter brain activity.
Researchers identified a new type of T cell that can produce acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that blocks inflammation. This discovery suggests a novel approach to treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases by targeting the nerves and T cells.
Researchers use vagus nerve stimulation paired with sound tones to retrain the brain and reduce ringing in the ears. After 20 days of treatment, tinnitus disappeared in noise-exposed rats, persisting for up to 3.5 months.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed a new treatment for tinnitus, a debilitating hearing impairment affecting millions. Targeted nerve stimulation, paired with sounds, eliminated tinnitus in rats and shows promise for human clinical trials.
Researchers identified a new anatomical path through which the brain and spleen communicate, enabling the immune system to respond to disease. The study suggests that stimulating the vagus nerve can suppress inflammation-producing molecules in the spleen, potentially leading to new treatments for sepsis.
A new pacemaker-like device has been developed to treat treatment-resistant depression, showing statistically significant improvements in mood and cognitive abilities. The research, led by James McInerney and Elana Farace, offers hope for millions of people affected by the debilitating disease.
Researchers found that surgically removing the vagus nerve in mice prevented or reversed insulin resistance and high blood pressure. The study suggests altering vagal nerve activity could provide a novel treatment approach for diabetes and hypertension.
Dr. Kevin J. Tracey's theory of the inflammatory reflex reveals a direct link between brain and immune system via the vagus nerve, providing a new approach to treating chronic inflammatory diseases. By manipulating brain activity, individuals may be able to 'think' their way to feeling better.
VNS therapy has been shown to be effective for some patients with treatment-resistant depression, with up to 20% experiencing total remission. The treatment involves surgical implantation of a device that stimulates the vagus nerve, delivering mild pulses to areas of the brain involved in mood regulation.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota are testing a new treatment for bulimia nervosa, VNS Therapy, which targets the vagus nerve to reduce urges to binge eat and vomit. The study builds on previous research that found voluntary binge eating stimulates the vagus nerve, leading to involuntary behaviors.
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy is safe, well-tolerated, and highly effective in reducing seizure frequency in children with refractory epilepsy. The study found significant improvements in quality of life, including alertness, verbal communication, and school performance.
A nationwide clinical trial showed that Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) improved the condition of 40% of patients with severe treatment-resistant depression, enabling them to return to work and normal activities. The treatment has been compared to electroconvulsive therapy and may have potential as an alternative for some patients.
A new vagus nerve stimulator device has been shown to prevent epileptic seizures in over 30% of patients, with some becoming completely seizure-free. The device, which is battery-operated and inserted just below the collarbone, sends electric current to stimulate the vagus nerve without impairing heart rate or cardiac cycles.