Key result
Focused pulsed ultrasound applied to the left cervical vagus nerve of a rat resulted in nerve inhibition, with a proportional relationship between acoustic intensity and the level of inhibition.
Why the study?
Does focused pulsed ultrasound modulate conduction in the vagus nerve of a rat?
Does focused pulsed ultrasound modulate conduction in the vagus nerve of a rat?
Focused pulsed ultrasound can noninvasively inhibit vagus nerve conduction in a rat model, with the degree of inhibition proportional to acoustic intensity.
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Suggests potential for noninvasive vagal neuromodulation; extends rodent data but leaves open human translation.
The use of focused ultrasonic waves to modulate neural structures has gained recent interest due to its potential in treating neurological disorders noninvasively. While several articles have focused on the use of ultrasound neuromodulation on peripheral nerves, none of these studies have been performed on the vagus nerve. We present preliminary observations on the effects of focused pulsed ultrasound (FPUS) on the conduction of the left cervical vagus nerve of a Long Evans rat. Ultrasound energy was applied at a frequency of 1.1 MHz, and at spatial‐peak, temporal average intensities that ranged from 13.6 to 93.4 W/cm2. Vagus nerve inhibition was observed in most cases. Results of this preliminary study suggested that there is a proportional relationship between acoustic intensity and the level of nerve inhibition.
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Juan et al. (2014) studied this question. Focused pulsed ultrasound (FPUS) was evaluated on Vagus nerve conduction/inhibition. Focused pulsed ultrasound applied to the left cervical vagus nerve of a rat resulted in nerve inhibition, with a proportional relationship between acoustic intensity and the level of inhibition.
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