Mechanisms underpinning sympathetic nervous activity and its modulation using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation

Deuchars, S. A., Lall, V. K., Clancy, J. , Mahadi, M., Murray, A., Peers, L. and Deuchars, J. (2018) Mechanisms underpinning sympathetic nervous activity and its modulation using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation. Experimental Physiology, 103(3), pp. 326-331. (doi: 10.1113/ep086433) (PMID:29205954) (PMCID:PMC588792)

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Abstract

The autonomic nervous system, consisting of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, is a major contributor to maintaining cardiovascular variables within homeostatic limits. As we age or in certain pathological conditions, the balance between the two branches changes such that sympathetic activity is more dominant and this change in dominance negatively correlates with prognosis in conditions such as heart failure. We have shown that non-invasive stimulation of the tragus of the ear increases parasympathetic activity and reduces sympathetic activity and that extent of this effect is correlated with the baseline cardiovascular parameters of different subjects. The effects could be due to activation of the afferent branch of the vagus and potentially other sensory nerves in that region. This indicates that tragus stimulation may be a viable treatment in disorders where autonomic activity to the heart is compromised.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Research conducted in these studies was supported by The British Heart Foundation (grant PG/08/120/26338 to S.A.D.), The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (PhD studentship to V.K.L. and grant BB/E001831/1 to J.D.) and The Wellcome Trust (grant WT093072MA to S.A.D.).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Clancy, Dr Jenny and Deuchars, Dr Susan
Authors: Deuchars, S. A., Lall, V. K., Clancy, J., Mahadi, M., Murray, A., Peers, L., and Deuchars, J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences
Journal Name:Experimental Physiology
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0958-0670
ISSN (Online):1469-445X
Published Online:11 November 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 The Authors and The Physiological Society
First Published:First published in Experimental Physiology 103(3):326-331
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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