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Modulation of neuroinflammation and memory dysfunction using percutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in mice
William J Huffman1, Saraswathi Subramaniyan2, Ramona M Rodriguiz3
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA; Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
Brain Stimulation
|October 20, 2018
Summary
Percutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (pVNS) effectively reduced inflammation and improved cognitive function in mice after endotoxemia. This bioelectronic medicine approach offers a promising new strategy for neuro-immune disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Bioelectronic Medicine
Background:
- The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses and inflammation.
- Current treatments for neuroinflammation and cognitive decline are often limited and ineffective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and test a minimally invasive, targeted vagus nerve stimulation (pVNS) method.
- To evaluate pVNS efficacy in reducing microglial activation and cognitive dysfunction in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia.
Main Methods:
- Ultrasound-guided percutaneous stimulation of the cervical vagus nerve in mice.
- Verification of stimulation via bradycardia and histological analysis of brainstem nuclei.
- Assessment of pVNS effects on plasma inflammatory markers, hippocampal microglial activation, and cognitive behavior post-LPS administration.
Main Results:
- pVNS successfully stimulated the vagus nerve, confirmed by physiological and histological markers.
- pVNS significantly reduced LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels.
- pVNS prevented microglial activation in the hippocampus and restored cognitive function.
Conclusions:
- Targeted cervical VNS via a novel percutaneous approach effectively reduced systemic and brain inflammation.
- This method significantly improved cognitive function in the endotoxemia model.
- This study presents a novel therapeutic strategy using bioelectronic medicine to modulate neuro-immune interactions impacting cognition.
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