Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Also discusses Polyvagal theory. The research for this paper was done for Wolfgang "Wilf" Schareck, who teaches a method of gut-oriented breathing and mindfulness. See https://www.breathacademia.com. It is in Turkish, but you can "right click" to translate.

Aims Increased sympathetic activation and reduced parasympathetic tone are important pathophysiological contributors to the progression of heart failure, and are associated with poor outcome in patients. The aim of this study is to determine if vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is a promising approach to modulate autonomic function and slow cardiac remodelling and the progression of heart failure. Methods The NECTAR-HF (NEural Cardiac TherApy foR Heart Failure) trial is designed to evaluate whether the Boston Scientific VNS device is safe and may attenuate cardiac remodelling, improve cardiac function and increase exercise capacity, in symptomatic heart failure patients (New York Heart Association Class II–III) with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction ≤35%) and receiving optimal medical therapy. Patients will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive standard optimal medical treatment plus VNS system in an active mode vs. optimal medical treatment plus VNS system in a...

The vagus nerve is strategically located in the body, and has multiple homeostatic and health-promoting effects. Low vagal activity predicts onset and progression of diseases. These are the reasons to activate this nerve. This study examined the effects of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (t-VNS) on a main index of vagal activity, namely heart rate variability (HRV). In Study 1, we compared short (10 min) left versus right ear t-VNS versus sham (no stimulation) in a within-subjects experimental design. Results revealed significant increases in only one HRV parameter (standard deviation of the RR intervals (SDNN)) following right-ear t-VNS. Study 2 examined the prolonged effects of t-VNS (1 h) in the right ear. Compared to baseline, right-t-VNS significantly increased the LF and LF/HF components of HRV, and SDNN in women, but not in men. These results show limited effects of t-VNS on HRV, and are discussed in light of neuroanatomical and statistical considerations and future directions are proposed.

Real-time monitoring of the gastrointestinal tract in a safe and comfortable manner is valuable for the diagnosis and therapy of many diseases. Within this realm, our review captures the trends in ingestible capsule systems with a focus on hardware and software technologies used for capsule endoscopy and remote patient monitoring. We introduce the structure and functions of the gastrointestinal tract, and the FDA guidelines for ingestible wireless telemetric medical devices. We survey the advanced features incorporated in ingestible capsule systems, such as microrobotics, closed-loop feedback, physiological sensing, nerve stimulation, sampling and delivery, panoramic imaging with adaptive frame rates, and rapid reading software. Examples of experimental and commercialized capsule systems are presented with descriptions of their sensors, devices, and circuits for gastrointestinal health monitoring. We also show the recent research in biocompatible materials and batteries, edible elec...

Drop foot syndrome is general term for difficulty lifting the front part of the foot from the ground which is a common problem that can lead to falls, trips and injuries in human life. It is usually neuromuscular disorder that causes peroneal neuropathy between the neck and the fibula. In other words drop foot problem is the loss of communication between the peroneal nerve and central nervous system which is enables the foot to make dorsiflexion. The patient cannot move his/her foot upward the ankle or toes. Foot drop correction is generally achieved by electric stimulation of the common peroneal nerve by sending a series of pulses at a given amplitude, duration and frequency. For this purpose a programmable microcontroller based stimulation, low-power, low-cost, battery operated, high performance and portable electronic stimulation device has been developed. The stimulator has been designed to make correction on the foot drop syndrome, which is called FES device. In the traditional FES systems, sensors are placed inside the shoe sole which are connected to a stimulator device using lead wires. The system designed by using Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver pair to connect the sensors to the stimulator device. For this reason, the patients can use this device more comfortably, and easier. In the design of the FES device, a force sensitive sensor, programmable microcontroller, transmitter, receiver and electrodes are used. Stimulation amplitude, duty cycle, and frequency of the output waveform can easily be adjusted by using switches. Also design has been developed further by the addition of another second in-sole foot sensor underneath the metatarsal heads so that device enabled reliable sensing in addition to walking on straight surfaces during the stair climbing. The cost of the overall system is very low, because during the development process standard microcontroller development systems and standard electronic equipment's were used which are easily found in the market.

Introduction: The use of vagal nerve stimulation is identified as a proper treatment option in patients with stable supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). This study aimed to assess the success of Valsalva maneuver via a handmade device in reversion of SVT. Methods: In this quasi experimental study, using a handmade device, vagus nerve stimulation was performed for SVT patients presenting to emergency department or cardiac intervention unit and the success rate and its related factors were assessed. Results: 100 patients with the mean age of 53.05 ± 13.70 years were studied (67% female). 12 (12%) cases were unable to do the maneuver. Out of the 88 (88.0%) patients who could perform the maneuver, 75 (85.2%) cases were unsuccessful. Dysrhythmia was controlled in 6 (6.8%) cases on the first attempt and in 7 (8.0%) cases on the second one (14.8% total success rate). 12 of the 13 cases (92.3%) of successful maneuver had history of SVT (p = 0.031). There was not any significant association between success rate and sex (p = 0.084), age (p = 0.744), or other medical histories (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, the success rate of Valsalva maneuver with the mentioned handmade device was calculated to be 14.8%. The only independent related factor of successful reversion was SVT history.

Autonomic imbalance with increased adrenergic and reduced parasympathetic activity is involved in the development and progress of heart failure (HF). Experimental data have demonstrated that stimulation of the vagus nerve is able to reverse ventricular remodeling of the failing heart. There is also evidence that increasing parasympathetic activity may stimulate the production of nitric oxide, and reduce the devastating inflammatory process involved in HF. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been successfully applied for many years to treat drug resistant epilepsy. The first study of right vagus stimulation in patients with advance HF has proven the feasibility and safety of this new approach. Long term follow-up of increased vagal tone over 12 months with a specially designed stimulating system (CardioFit, BioControl, Yehud, Israel) has demonstrated that symptoms of HF can be significantly diminished, left ventricular ejection fraction increased, and ventricular volumes reduced. These...

ABSTRACTNature As Discourse:A Co-Evolutionary Systems Approach to Art and Environmental Designby Susannah HaysDoctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies University of California, BerkeleyProfessor Galen Cranz, ChairTransdisciplinarity, an international education movement that explores pathways to a coherent epistemology beyond all disciplines, seeks to become a sustaining vital force in human development. To do so, it needs to be complemented by a branch of epistemology called epistemics or self-knowledge. Only if co-evolutionary phylogenetic principles of human-brain and autonomic nervous system functioning are included in transdisciplinarity’s model can individuals experientially evolve to the levels of reality the model entails. An actual, “true to life,” transdisciplinary education teaches isomorphic qualities intrinsic to perception, pattern mapping, language, and aesthetic (non-directive) skills. Curricula utilizing these educational tools will result in indispensable, ...

ABSTRACT
Nature As Discourse:
A Co-Evolutionary Systems Approach to
Art and Environmental Design
by
Susannah Hays
Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies
University of California, Berkeley


Transdisciplinarity, an international education movement that explores pathways to a coherent epistemology beyond all disciplines, seeks to become a sustaining vital force in human development. To do so, it needs to be complemented by a branch of epistemology called epistemics or self-knowledge.  Only if co-evolutionary phylogenetic principles of human-brain and autonomic nervous system functioning are included in transdisciplinarity’s model can individuals experientially evolve to the levels of reality the model entails. An actual, “true to life,” transdisciplinary education teaches isomorphic qualities intrinsic to perception, pattern mapping, language, and aesthetic (non-directive) skills. Curricula utilizing these educational tools will result in indispensable, creative learning environments. A trajectory not yet explored in other literature on Transdisciplinarity is an emphasis on cross-cultural research in human-brain and autonomic nervous system dynamics. Three key understandings that guide human biological evolutionary processes toward higher levels of consciousness are Paul MacLean’s triune-brain neuroethology, Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory of emotions, and G. I. Gurdjieff’s three-centered self-study practice. Each chapter describes a non-profit organization whose goal is to raise humanity’s normative level of participation in environmental sustainability. These organizations demonstrate how Transdisciplinarity can recalibrate human evolution, if the educational movement synthesizes the autonomic/cognitive forces within Homo sapiens’ biological organization.