understanding-effects-non-invasive-transauricular-vagus-nerve

Understanding the Effects of Non&#45;Invasive Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on EEG and HRV

Several studies have demonstrated promising results of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in treating various disorders; however, no ...

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School

Federal University of Sao Carlos

The neural histaminergic system innervates the cerebellum, with a high density of fibers in the vermis and flocculus. The cerebellum participates in motor functions, but the role of the histaminergic system in this function is unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of intracerebellar histamine injections and H1, H2 and H3 receptor antagonist injections (chlorpheniramine, ranitidine, and thioperamide, respectively) and H4 receptor agonist (VUF-8430) on locomotor and exploratory behaviors in mice. The cerebellar vermis of male mice was implanted with guide cannula. After three days of recovery,the animals received microinjections of saline or histamine (experiment1), saline or chlorpheniramine (experiment 2), saline or ranitidine(experiment 3), saline or thioperamide (experiment 4), and saline or VUF-8430 (experiment 5) in different concentrations. Five minutes postinjection,the open field test was performed. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan's post hoc test. The microinjections of histamine, ranitidine or thioperamide did not lead any behavioral effects at the used doses. In contrast, animals that received chlorpheniramine at the highest dose (0.16 nmol) and VUF-8430 at the highest dose (1.48 nmol)were more active in the open field apparatus, with an increase in the number of crossed quadrants, number of rearings and time spent in the central area of the arena, suggesting that chlorpheniramine and VUF-8430 modulates locomotor and exploratory behaviors in mice.

Intracerebellar microinjection of histaminergic compounds on locomotor and exploratory behaviors in mice.

The cerebellum is involved in the control of balance, movement and the acquisition of motor skills. Scientific and technological advances have shown that the cerebellum also participates in non-motor functions, such as emotional control, memory and language. However, which cerebellar areas and functional circuits are predominantly activated in these different functions is not known. The current study analyzed the neuronal activation of cerebellar areas and other brain structures (e.g., hippocampus, amygdala, prelimbic cortex and infralimbic cortex) after exposure to rotarod and inhibitory avoidance behavioral models to establish possible neuronal circuits for motor and non-motor functions. Naïve male Swiss albino mice weighing 25 to 35 g were used. The animals were subjected to three conditions for behavioral evaluation: inhibitory avoidance, which is a model used to infer emotional memory; rotarod, which assesses motor performance and motor learning; and housing box/control. The mice remained in their housing box in Condition 1. Mice in Condition 2 were exposed to the inhibitory avoidance box for 2 days, and mice in Condition 3 were exposed to the rotarod for 3 days. The animals were euthanized after the last exposure to the apparatus then perfused with paraformaldehyde. Brains were extracted and sectioned for immunofluorescence analysis of c-Fos protein in pre-established structures. Images of the brain structures were obtained, and neuronal activation was analyzed microscopically. One-way analysis of variance was used, followed by Tukey's post-hoc test. There was no significant difference in c-Fos expression in lobe VI of the cerebellum between the different conditions. Differences in c-Fos expression were observed in the basolateral amygdala, infralimbic cortex and prelimbic cortex, which are relevant to emotional processes, after exposure to the evaluation apparatuses. Pearson's r correlation coefficient test showed a positive correlation between the variables of structures related to emotional processes. We concluded that there was no significant difference in c-Fos expression in lobe VI of the cerebellum after exposure of the animals to the evaluation apparatus. However, there was a difference in c-Fos expression in other brain structures related to emotional processes after exposure of animals to the apparatus.

Anna Carolyna Gianlorenco

Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School

Understanding the Effects of Non-Invasive Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on EEG and HRV

Anna Carolyna Gianlorenco

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School

Understanding the Effects of Non-Invasive Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on EEG and HRV

Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning