Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 3, 2025
Author Spotlight: Exploring Abdominal VNS for Inflammatory Conditions
Published on: January 19, 2024
Could vagus nerve stimulation influence bone remodeling?
Ahmad Tamimi1, Faleh Tamimi2,3, Malik Juweid4
1Neurosurgery Department, Jordan University Hospital, Jordan.
Objectives:
To investigate the effect of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on the bone mineral density (BMD) in epileptic patients.
Methods:
A prospective cohort study was conducted on individuals with refractory seizures who underwent VNS surgery between January 2012 and December 2018. BMD was measured preoperatively and between 6 months and one year after surgery.
Results:
Twenty-one patients (mean age (±SD)=23.6±12.3 years) were recruited for the implantation of a VNS device. The mean absolute increase in lumbar BMD in the 21 patients was 0.04±0.04 g/cm2 resulting in an overall percent increase from baseline of 4.7±6.1%. BMD increased by an amount ≥ the least significant change (LSC) for the lumbar spine in 13 patients (61.9%). The lumbar Z score also increased in these patients from -1.22±1.15 to -0.88±1.22, P=0.006). Pre and Post VNA femoral BMD was measured in only 11 patients and, of those 3 showed a significant increase in BMD, 1 a significant decrease and 7 no change.
Conclusion:
The implantation of a VNS was associated with an increase in lumbar BMD. This study could lead to a new application for VNS in the treatment of osteoporosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:40Bone Remodeling
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
01:17Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
01:29Blood and Nerve Supply to the Bones
Nutrient Artery
The nutrient artery is the main blood vessel that enters the diaphysis via the nutrient foramen. While most long bones have only one nutrient foramen, large bones, such as the femur, may have two. This...