Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
04:29
Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
29.5K
Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Movement Disorders, from Principles to a Systematic Review of Evidence
Francesca Proietti1, Matteo Maria Ottaviani2,3, Elisabetta Burchi4,5
1Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology and Psychiatry, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Movement Disorders : Official Journal of the Movement Disorder Society
|September 30, 2025
Summary
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) shows promise for treating movement disorders like Parkinson's disease by improving motor and non-motor symptoms. Non-invasive auricular VNS is a safer alternative requiring further research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- The vagus nerve (VN) is crucial for bidirectional communication between the central nervous system (CNS) and organs.
- Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is being investigated for movement disorders (MDs).
Conclusions:
- VNS demonstrates multimodal effects in MDs, with notable benefits in PD.
- Non-invasive taVNS offers a safer therapeutic option.
- Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm efficacy and optimize VNS protocols for MDs.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment
2.8K
Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular transmission disorder characterized by weakness and increased fatigability of skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease affecting approximately one in 2000 people, where antibodies against the α1 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are produced.
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which...
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which...
2.8K
01:24Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
986
Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
986
01:20Motor Unit Stimulation
3.5K
When the neuron of a motor unit fires an action potential, it triggers a series of events, leading to a twitch contraction in the muscle fibers. The process of excitation-contraction coupling is crucial in relaying the action potential to the muscle fibers.
The latent period of contraction marks the onset of excitation-contraction coupling, when the action potential propagates across the sarcolemma, preparing the muscle fibers for contraction. As the fibers enter the contraction phase, the...
The latent period of contraction marks the onset of excitation-contraction coupling, when the action potential propagates across the sarcolemma, preparing the muscle fibers for contraction. As the fibers enter the contraction phase, the...
3.5K