Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation improves cortical functional topological properties and intracortical facilitation in patients with Parkinson's disease.

ABSTRACT: Our study aimed to investigate the neural mechanisms of taVNS in the motor symptoms of PD, focusing on the topological properties of cortical functional networks and cortical excitability. Thirty-two PD patients underwent functional near-infrared spectroscopy and transcranial magnetic stimulation evaluation prior to and after two-week taVNS, which were controlled by 20 healthy controls (HCs). PD patients exhibited decreased nodal efficiency (Ne) in the right M1 and increased Ne in the left pre-motor and supplementary motor area compared with HCs. The decreased Ne in the right M1 was negatively associated with UPDRS-III scores. Interestingly, taVNS treatment improved PD motor symptoms by increasing Ne in the right M1 and enhancing intracortical facilitation (ICF, ISI 10, and 15 ms). The inc

SUBMITTER: Zhang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11873277 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature