http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/29240833
(PMID:29240833)
PLoS ONE
[14 Dec 2017, 12(12):e0189518]
Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a therapy for epilepsy and depression.
However, its efficacy varies and its mechanism remains unclear. Prior
studies have used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to map
brain activations with VNS in human brains, but have reported
inconsistent findings. The source of inconsistency is likely
attributable to the complex temporal characteristics of VNS-evoked fMRI
responses that cannot be fully explained by simplified response models
in the conventional model-based analysis for activation mapping. To
address this issue, we acquired 7-Tesla blood oxygenation level
dependent fMRI data from anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats receiving
electrical stimulation at the left cervical vagus nerve. Using spatially
independent component analysis, we identified 20 functional brain
networks and detected the network-wise activations with VNS in a
data-driven manner. Our results showed that VNS activated 15 out of 20
brain networks, and the activated regions covered >76% of the brain
volume. The time course of the evoked response was complex and distinct
across regions and networks. In addition, VNS altered the strengths and
patterns of correlations among brain networks relative to those in the
resting state. The most notable changes in network-network interactions
were related to the limbic system. Together, such profound and
widespread effects of VNS may underlie its unique potential for a wide
range of therapeutics to relieve central or peripheral conditions.
ORCIDs linked to this article
Liu Z , 0000-0002-8773-4204 , Purdue University |
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