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Related Concept Videos

Long-term Potentiation01:35

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 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

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Continuous Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Increases Long-Latency Neural Processing in Multiple

Valentina Jelinčić1, Martina D'Agostini1,2, Carlos Ventura-Bort3

  • 1Research Group Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Psychophysiology
|March 25, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) increased self-reported arousal and auditory/somatosensory P2 responses. However, taVNS did not impact neural gating or noradrenergic markers, suggesting limitations in current EEG-based investigations.

Keywords:
EEGattentionevent‐related potentialsinteroceptiontranscutaneous vagus nerve stimulation

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychophysiology
  • Noninvasive Neuromodulation

Background:

  • Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a noninvasive method targeting vagal afferent fibers, with potential applications in neurological and mental health disorders.
  • The proposed mechanism involves activating the locus coeruleus (LC) and subsequent noradrenergic activation (NA), enhancing arousal and attention, though evidence remains mixed.
  • Limited research exists on taVNS effects across different sensory modalities and its impact on specific neural markers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if continuous taVNS enhances noradrenergic activation (NA) markers and neural processing across auditory, respiratory, and somatosensory modalities.
  • To examine the effects of taVNS on evoked potentials, neural gating, salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), and resting-state EEG alpha power.
  • To assess taVNS's influence on subjective arousal, stimulus intensity, and unpleasantness.

Main Methods:

  • A 2-day, sham-controlled crossover study involving 45 healthy adults.
  • Participants received either taVNS (cymba concha) or sham stimulation (earlobe) while undergoing auditory, respiratory, and somatosensory tasks with concurrent EEG recording.
  • Measurements included salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), subjective arousal ratings, resting-state EEG alpha power, and event-related potentials (P50, N1, P2) for neural gating assessment.

Main Results:

  • Self-reported arousal significantly increased during taVNS compared to sham.
  • P2 component amplitudes in auditory and somatosensory evoked potentials were enhanced during taVNS.
  • No significant effects were observed on neural gating (S2-S1 difference), sAA levels, resting-state alpha power, or subjective stimulus intensity/unpleasantness.

Conclusions:

  • Continuous taVNS can enhance subjective arousal and specific neural responses (P2 component) in auditory and somatosensory processing.
  • The study did not find evidence supporting the LC-NA hypothesis through standard markers like sAA or resting-state alpha power.
  • Limitations in combining taVNS with EEG were highlighted, emphasizing the need for further research into the mechanisms of taVNS.