The effect of vagus nerve stimulation on heart rate and respiration rate and their impact on seizure susceptibility in anaesthetized rats under pentylenetetrazol.

ABSTRACT: Despite the proven efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in seizure control, its precise mechanism of action remains unclear. VNS is known to impact the cardiorespiratory system. In this study, we explored the effects of standard and breathing-synchronized VNS on heart and respiratory rates in anesthetized epileptic rats, as well as their impact on seizure susceptibility. Seizures were induced in rats by intravenous pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) infusion. Three animal groups (n = 4) were subjected to different types of stimulation: Sham VNS, Standard VNS, and Breathing-Synchronized VNS. Measurements included respiration, electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, and vagal electroneurogram. Each experiment began with a 5-min baseline period, followed by PTZ infusion until tonic-clonic s

SUBMITTER: Chavez Cerda J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11968678 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature