Role of Vagus Nerve Stimulation in the Treatment of Chronic Pain
Share
This article explores the role of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in the treatment of chronic pain, a debilitating condition that often does not respond adequately to conventional treatments such as anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants and antiepileptics.
VNS is a neuromodulation therapy that can modulate vagus nerve activity and neuro-immune communication. Numerous animal and human studies have provided growing evidence that VNS can produce analgesic effects as well as alleviate refractory epilepsy and depression.
The vagus nerve projects to many brain regions related to pain processing, such as the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and brainstem, which may be affected by vagus nerve stimulation. In addition to its effects on neural regulation, the anti-inflammatory properties of VNS may also contribute to its pain-inhibiting effects.
Both surgically implanted invasive VNS devices and noninvasive devices such as transcutaneous auricular or carotid vagus nerve stimulation have been developed. These noninvasive approaches are currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of chronic pain.
The article reviews preclinical and clinical studies on the use of VNS in the treatment of various types of chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia, abdominal pain, and headaches. These studies have shown that VNS can reduce pain intensity, improve quality of life, and modulate pain-related biomarkers.
The mechanisms underlying the analgesic effects of VNS appear to involve several systems, including modulating autonomic nervous system activity, reducing inflammation, improving neuroplasticity, and regulating neurotransmitters and immune mediators. These potential mechanisms of action make VNS a promising approach for the treatment of a variety of types of chronic pain.
In conclusion, VNS emerges as an innovative and potentially effective neuromodulation therapy for the treatment of chronic pain, offering an alternative to conventional treatments with fewer side effects. Further research will be needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and optimize its clinical application.
Source:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10614462/
VNS is a neuromodulation therapy that can modulate vagus nerve activity and neuro-immune communication. Numerous animal and human studies have provided growing evidence that VNS can produce analgesic effects as well as alleviate refractory epilepsy and depression.
The vagus nerve projects to many brain regions related to pain processing, such as the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and brainstem, which may be affected by vagus nerve stimulation. In addition to its effects on neural regulation, the anti-inflammatory properties of VNS may also contribute to its pain-inhibiting effects.
Both surgically implanted invasive VNS devices and noninvasive devices such as transcutaneous auricular or carotid vagus nerve stimulation have been developed. These noninvasive approaches are currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of chronic pain.
The article reviews preclinical and clinical studies on the use of VNS in the treatment of various types of chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia, abdominal pain, and headaches. These studies have shown that VNS can reduce pain intensity, improve quality of life, and modulate pain-related biomarkers.
The mechanisms underlying the analgesic effects of VNS appear to involve several systems, including modulating autonomic nervous system activity, reducing inflammation, improving neuroplasticity, and regulating neurotransmitters and immune mediators. These potential mechanisms of action make VNS a promising approach for the treatment of a variety of types of chronic pain.
In conclusion, VNS emerges as an innovative and potentially effective neuromodulation therapy for the treatment of chronic pain, offering an alternative to conventional treatments with fewer side effects. Further research will be needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and optimize its clinical application.
Source:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10614462/