Brain-Heart Interaction During Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) modulates brain activity and heart function. The induced parasympathetic predominance leads to an increase of heart rate variability (HRV). Knowledge on the corresponding cortical activation pattern is, however, scarce. We hypothesized taVNS-induced HRV increases to be related to modulation of cortical activity that regulates the autonomic outflow to the heart.

Materials and methods

In thirteen healthy subjects, we simultaneously recorded 64-channel electroencephalography and electrocardiography during taVNS. Two taVNS stimulation targets were investigated, i.e., the cymba conchae and inner tragus, and compared to active control stimulation in the anatomical vicinity, i.e., at the crus helicis and outer trag

SUBMITTER: Machetanz K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8005577 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature