Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation01:28

Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation

12.4K
The action potential is a complex electrical event that occurs in excitable cells, such as neurons and muscle cells. It consists of several distinct phases, each with specific characteristics.
Resting Phase:
In this phase, the cell's membrane is at its resting potential, typically around -70 millivolts (mV) for neurons. Inside the cell, there is a higher concentration of potassium ions (K+) and a lower concentration of sodium ions (Na+). Voltage-gated sodium channels are closed, and...
12.4K
Dose-Response Relationship: Selectivity and Specificity01:25

Dose-Response Relationship: Selectivity and Specificity

9.8K
Drugs exert their therapeutic effects by interacting with receptors, enzymes, or ion channels that are present throughout the human body. The strength and duration of the interaction between a drug and its target receptor are characterized by the selectivity and specificity of the drug. Selectivity refers to a drug's strong preference for its intended target over other targets. For instance, isoprenaline, a non-selective β-adrenergic agonist, interacts with both β1- and...
9.8K
Fixed Action Patterns01:06

Fixed Action Patterns

17.7K
A fixed action pattern (FAP) is a specific, hard-wired sequence of behaviors that occurs in response to an external stimulus, called a sign stimulus. The behavior is “fixed” because it is essentially unchangeable—proceeding similarly across individuals of a species every time it occurs.
17.7K
Action Potentials01:41

Action Potentials

142.8K
Overview
142.8K
Action Potential01:31

Action Potential

4.7K
Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
4.7K
Action Potential01:14

Action Potential

11.4K
Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
11.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Biasing predictive processing of interoceptive information affects implicit spirituality but not religiosity.

Acta psychologica·2026
Same author

Ageing alters ankle mechanics and muscle co-contraction patterns across the gait cycle.

Gait & posture·2026
Same author

Correction: Validation and psychometric analysis of the Italian version of the Behavior Identification Form (BIF) in healthy adults.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Validation and psychometric analysis of the Italian version of the Behavior Identification Form (BIF) in healthy adults.

Scientific reports·2025
Same author

Movement-Based Mindfulness vs. Attention Control for Modifying Physiological Risk in Chronic Stroke: Evidence from a Feasibility Trial.

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2025
Same author

Unveiling the alterations of action processing and mu rhythm in Williams Syndrome.

NeuroImage·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Laboratory Administration of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation taVNS: Technique, Targeting, and Considerations
06:31

Laboratory Administration of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation taVNS: Technique, Targeting, and Considerations

Published on: January 7, 2019

41.5K

Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) Enhances Response Selection During Sequential Action.

Bryant J Jongkees1, Maarten A Immink2, Alessandra Finisguerra1

  • 1Cognitive Psychology Unit and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.

Frontiers in Psychology
|July 24, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) enhances action control by improving response selection. This non-invasive technique shows potential for neuromodulation, particularly when cognitive demands are high.

Keywords:
GABAcognitive enhancementimplicit motor sequence learningresponse selectiontVNS

More Related Videos

Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Electroencephalographic Assessment in Disorders of Consciousness
04:04

Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Electroencephalographic Assessment in Disorders of Consciousness

Published on: July 11, 2025

1.6K
Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
04:29

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression

Published on: January 7, 2019

29.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Laboratory Administration of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation taVNS: Technique, Targeting, and Considerations
06:31

Laboratory Administration of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation taVNS: Technique, Targeting, and Considerations

Published on: January 7, 2019

41.5K
Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Electroencephalographic Assessment in Disorders of Consciousness
04:04

Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Electroencephalographic Assessment in Disorders of Consciousness

Published on: July 11, 2025

1.6K
Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
04:29

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression

Published on: January 7, 2019

29.6K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Science
  • Neuromodulation

Background:

  • Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is a non-invasive technique known to modulate neurotransmitter levels, including GABA and noradrenaline.
  • These neurotransmitters play crucial roles in neural plasticity and cortical excitability, suggesting tVNS's potential in cognitive functions.
  • Previous research has explored tVNS for clinical disorders and its emerging role in action control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of tVNS on sequential behavior, specifically response selection and sequence learning.
  • To determine if tVNS, by potentially increasing GABA and noradrenaline, modulates action control components.
  • To assess tVNS's impact on performance in a serial reaction time task in healthy adults.

Main Methods:

  • A single-session, single-blind, sham-controlled between-subject design was employed.
  • Forty healthy young adults participated in the study.
  • Participants performed a serial reaction time task to evaluate sequence learning and response selection.

Main Results:

  • Active tVNS did not significantly affect the acquisition of embedded response sequences or performance under randomized conditions compared to sham tVNS.
  • Active tVNS enhanced response selection processes, notably reducing inhibition of return during response reversals in sequences.
  • These findings suggest tVNS improves action control, especially under high cognitive load conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Single-session tVNS effectively enhances response selection in sequential behavior tasks.
  • tVNS shows promise as a tool for neuromodulating action control, particularly in situations demanding high selection capabilities.
  • The study supports the growing evidence for tVNS's role in improving cognitive performance and action control.