Noninvasive Cervical Vagal Nerve Stimulation Alters Brain Activity During Traumatic Stress in Individuals With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Matthew T Wittbrodt, Nil Z Gurel, Jonathon A Nye, Md Mobashir H Shandhi, Asim H Gazi, Amit J Shah, Bradley D Pearce, Nancy Murrah, Yi-An Ko, Lucy H Shallenberger, Viola Vaccarino, Omer T Inan, J Douglas Bremner, Matthew T Wittbrodt, Nil Z Gurel, Jonathon A Nye, Md Mobashir H Shandhi, Asim H Gazi, Amit J Shah, Bradley D Pearce, Nancy Murrah, Yi-An Ko, Lucy H Shallenberger, Viola Vaccarino, Omer T Inan, J Douglas Bremner

Abstract

Objective: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling condition affecting a large segment of the population; however, current treatment options have limitations. New interventions that target the neurobiological alterations underlying symptoms of PTSD could be highly beneficial. Transcutaneous cervical (neck) vagal nerve stimulation (tcVNS) has the potential to represent such an intervention. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of tcVNS on neural responses to reminders of traumatic stress in PTSD.

Methods: Twenty-two participants were randomized to receive either sham (n = 11) or active (n = 11) tcVNS stimulation in conjunction with exposure to neutral and personalized traumatic stress scripts with high-resolution positron emission tomography scanning with radiolabeled water for brain blood flow measurements.

Results: Compared with sham, tcVNS increased brain activations during trauma scripts (p < .005) within the bilateral frontal and temporal lobes, left hippocampus, posterior cingulate, and anterior cingulate (dorsal and pregenual), and right postcentral gyrus. Greater deactivations (p < .005) with tcVNS were observed within the bilateral frontal and parietal lobes and left thalamus. Compared with tcVNS, sham elicited greater activations (p < .005) in the bilateral frontal lobe, left precentral gyrus, precuneus, and thalamus, and right temporal and parietal lobes, hippocampus, insula, and posterior cingulate. Greater (p < .005) deactivations were observed with sham in the right temporal lobe, posterior cingulate, hippocampus, left anterior cingulate, and bilateral cerebellum.

Conclusions: tcVNS increased anterior cingulate and hippocampus activation during trauma scripts, potentially indicating a reversal of neurobiological changes with PTSD consistent with improved autonomic control.Trial Registration: No. NCT02992899.

Conflict of interest statement

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: Dr. Bremner reported having funding support from ElectroCore LLC. No other authors report potential conflicts of interests.

Copyright © 2021 by the American Psychosomatic Society.

Figures

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Figure 1:
Protocol timeline for the current study depicting timing of script delivery and non-invasive cervical vagal nerve (tcVNS)/sham stimulation. All scripts were delivered via headphones with stimulation initiated immediately following. Total session duration was five hours including a prolonged (90 min) rest period.
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Figure 3:
Figure 3:
Sagittal slices presenting greater (p

Figure 4:

Sagittal slices presenting greater (p…

Figure 4:

Sagittal slices presenting greater (p

Figure 4:
Sagittal slices presenting greater (p

Figure 5:

Sagittal slices presenting greater (p…

Figure 5:

Sagittal slices presenting greater (p

Figure 5:
Sagittal slices presenting greater (p
Similar articles
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Figure 4:
Figure 4:
Sagittal slices presenting greater (p

Figure 5:

Sagittal slices presenting greater (p…

Figure 5:

Sagittal slices presenting greater (p

Figure 5:
Sagittal slices presenting greater (p
Similar articles
Cited by
Publication types
MeSH terms
Associated data
Related information
[x]
Cite
Copy Download .nbib
Format: AMA APA MLA NLM
Figure 5:
Figure 5:
Sagittal slices presenting greater (p

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