Tag: vagal nerve stimulation
TaVNS Encourages Divergent Thinking in Healthy Volunteers
Neuropsychologia. 2018 Jan 8. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) enhances divergent thinking. Colzato LS1, Ritter SM2, Steenbergen L3. Author information 1 Leiden University, Cognitive Psychology Unit & Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Institute for Sports…
Read MoreTaVNS and fMRI of different ear regions
I have been using cymba concha stimulation in my clinic for TaVNS. This article corroborates that practice. Neuromodulation. 2017 Apr;20(3):290-300. doi: 10.1111/ner.12541. Epub 2016 Nov 29. Optimization of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Using Functional MRI. Yakunina N1,2, Kim SS2,3, Nam EC2,4. Author information Abstract OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an established therapy for drug-resistant…
Read MoreHidden Signals: History and Relevance of HRV
This is a handy and thorough overview of HRV history and applications. Some useful tables and basics on the various parameters used in HRV (time, frequency and non-linear measures.) I’ve pasted some of the text here for my own reference and for readers. ” Already more than one century ago scientists observed and proposed associations…
Read MoreEarly cortical biomarkers of longitudinal transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation treatment success in depression
In this study, the researchers used the technique I’m experimenting with, transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation, or TaVNS, in patients with depression to correlate with their fMRI results. The procedure was similar to what I’ve been using in the clinic. The patients apply the electrode via a clip to the Left ear in the cymba…
Read MoreMigraines, Neuromodulation, Acupuncture and HRV:Clinical Study El.Ma.
This is another example of a migraine patient showing marked parasympathetic increase, sympathetic decrease with TaVNS or transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation in conjunction with acupuncture. I realize that the data sets are still sparse, but interesting nonetheless. This patient had quick diminution of her migraines after starting acupuncture over 1 year ago and now…
Read MoreVagal Nerve Stimulation in Coma Patient
My faithful patient, M, forwarded me this fascinating article about using direct vagal stimulation in a long term coma patient. As blog readers know, I’m always experimenting with ways to improve vagal tone with various acupuncture methods, ear stimulation, and other modalities. In this article they found that direct vagal stimulation improved brain connectivity. “researchers…
Read MoreAcupuncture and Neuromodulation for Migraines: Clinical Case Study Ne.Be.
This data is from a patient who has been coming to the clinic for acupuncture for migraines for 3 years. His migraines are not totally gone, but he’s extremely happy with the once per month frequency he is now experiencing. He used to have migraines 3 to 4 times per week. Somehow, he was still…
Read MoreIncreased Sympathetic Activity in Headache Patients
This article compares autonomic activity in headache patients. They make no distinction between headache and migraine. Though I’d expected as much, they found lower parasympathetic activity and higher sympathetic activity in headache patients. I do have one patient who has had remarkable results with acupuncture, but his stress levels remain quite high. Other than his case,…
Read MoreAlternating Auricular Vagal Stimulation, HRV Data: De. Bo edition
I haven’t been sharing much data lately, just due to other projects and travel. Here is some data from a patient who values electrical ear stimlulation that provides increased vagal activity, ie increased “rest and digest” and has a unit at home to use. Though she’s not gotten around to use it much recently, we…
Read MoreAuricular Vagal Stimulation for Cardiac Baroreflex Hypersensitivity in Healthy Young Men
This study looks at TaVNS (Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation) versus sham in healthy males. This study shows that cardiac baroreceptivity improves with TaVNS, but not with sham. Also that Heart Rate and LF/HF decrease with TaVNS but not with sham. Nice! Brain Stimul. 2017 May 19. Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation acutely improves spontaneous cardiac…
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