Vagus nerve stimulation in brain diseases: Therapeutic applications and biological mechanisms

Yue Wang; Gaofeng Zhan; Ziwen Cai; Bo Jiao; Yilin Zhao; Shiyong Li; Ailin Luo

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.018

Vagus nerve stimulation in brain diseases: Therapeutic applications and biological mechanisms

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021 Aug:127:37-53. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.018. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Authors

Yue Wang¹, Gaofeng Zhan², Ziwen Cai³, Bo Jiao⁴, Yilin Zhao⁵, Shiyong Li⁶, Ailin Luo⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. Electronic address: 415952610@qq.com.
² Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. Electronic address: 1269235238@qq.com.
³ Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. Electronic address: 171961014@qq.com.
⁴ Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. Electronic address: 547739554@qq.com.
⁵ Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. Electronic address: yilinzhao@hust.edu.cn.
⁶ Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. Electronic address: shiyongli@hust.edu.cn.
⁷ Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. Electronic address: alluo@tjh.tjmu.edu.cn.

PMID: 33894241
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.018

Abstract

Brain diseases, including neurodegenerative, cerebrovascular and neuropsychiatric diseases, have posed a deleterious threat to human health and brought a great burden to society and the healthcare system. With the development of medical technology, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an alternative treatment for refractory epilepsy, refractory depression, cluster headaches, and migraines. Furthermore, current evidence showed promising results towards the treatment of more brain diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and stroke. Nonetheless, the biological mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of VNS in brain diseases remain only partially elucidated. This review aims to delve into the relevant preclinical and clinical studies and update the progress of VNS applications and its potential mechanisms underlying the biological effects in brain diseases.

Keywords: Brain diseases; Central nervous mechanisms; Clinical applications; Inflammation; Vagus nerve; Vagus nerve stimulation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Brain Injuries, Traumatic*
Humans
Parkinson Disease*
Stroke*
Vagus Nerve
Vagus Nerve Stimulation*