Vagus accelerates rehabilitation
A group of researchers from the University of Texas at Dallas demonstrated a method of accelerated recovery of motor functions after a stroke. They proved that stimulation of the vagus nerve (n.vagus) leads to an improvement in the functions of the upper extremities in rodents.
During a stroke, nerve cells die due to acute blood supply disorders. Depending on the affected area, certain functions suffer. Quite often, the consequences of a stroke are motor disorders. In the long–term period, the process of reorganization starts - new connections are formed in the brain between different areas, bypassing the damaged areas. Rehabilitation can take a long time and never lead to a complete restoration of functions.
The vagus nerve carries out parasympathetic innervation and is responsible for the unconscious functions of organs, including digestion and the work of the cardiovascular system.
Vagus nerve stimulation was performed by exposure to low-intensity electrical impulses using a special device implanted in the neck. It facilitated the transfer of information about the state of the body to the brain and indirectly led to an acceleration of the reorganization process – new connections to neurons that took over the functions of the damaged part of the brain were formed faster, they became more stable.
In experiments on mice, rehabilitation after head injury, including vagus nerve stimulation, accelerated the process of restoring the functions of the upper extremities from three to five times.
Currently, Dallas and other US cities are recruiting participants in clinical studies of the safety and effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation in the complex therapy of motor disorders among stroke patients.
A special mobile application has been developed for tablets with a description of exercises for hands and hands – this will allow you to control the process of restoring functions remotely.
The authors hope that the study will provide sufficient evidence of the effectiveness of the method, it will be approved and implemented into neurological practice as soon as possible.
Article by E. C. Meyers et al. Vagus Nerve Stimulation Enhances Stable Plasticity and Generalization of Stroke Recovery is published in the journal Stroke.
Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of UTD News Center: Study: Vagus Nerve Stimulation Boosts Post-Stroke Motor Skill Recovery.