Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Does Not Affect Verbal Memory Performance in Healthy Volunteers

Mertens, Ann C.; Naert, Lien; Miatton, Marijke; Poppa, Tasha; Carrette, Evelien; Gadeyne, Stefanie; Raedt, Robrecht; Boon, Paul; Vonck, Kristl

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00551

Cited by 39 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Moreover, a trend for lower delayed recognition scores was seen after taVNS compared to VNS ON (hit score) and VNS OFF (discrimination index). These ndings are in line with the previous study by our group in healthy volunteers, demonstrating that acute taVNS, delivered for 30 s during the consolidation phase of a memory task, did not improve verbal memory performance [49]. We hypothesized the negative ndings in the latter study were due to the study population of healthy volunteers who would be less prone to improvement by taVNS compared to epilepsy patients with a lower baseline performance.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

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The Potential of Invasive and Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation To Improve Verbal Memory Performance in Epilepsy Patients

Mertens

Gadeyne

Lescrauwaet

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Introduction: It has been demonstrated that acute vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) improves word recognition memory in epilepsy patients. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has gained interest as a non-invasive alternative to improve cognition. In this prospective randomized cross-over study, we investigated the effect of both invasive VNS and taVNS on verbal memory performance in 15 drug-resistant epilepsy patients. Methods All patients conducted a word recognition memory paradigm in 3 conditions: VNS ON, VNS OFF and taVNS. For each condition, patients memorized 21 highlighted words from text paragraphs. Afterwards, the intervention was delivered for 30 s. Immediate recall and delayed recognition scores were obtained for each condition. This memory paradigm was repeated after 6 weeks of VNS therapy in 2 conditions: VNS ON and VNS OFF. Results Acute VNS and taVNS did not improve verbal memory performance. Immediate recall and delayed recognition scores were significantly improved after 6 weeks of VNS treatment irrespective of the acute intervention. Conclusion The previously described positive effects of invasive VNS on verbal memory performance could not be replicated with invasive VNS and taVNS. An improved verbal memory performance was seen after 6 weeks of VNS treatment, suggesting that longer and more repetitive stimulation of the vagal pathway is required to modulate verbal memory performance.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…However, no effect of taVNS was observed on overall memory performance. The latter is in line with a previous study by our group that could not demonstrate an improvement of verbal memory performance after taVNS in healthy volunteers [49]. A possible explanation for these negative ndings is the testing of healthy participants.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 93%

The Potential of Invasive and Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation To Improve Verbal Memory Performance in Epilepsy Patients

Mertens

Gadeyne

Lescrauwaet

et al. 2021

Preprint

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“…There were no detrimental effects of taVNS on cognition and behaviour in our subjects with epilepsy. Similar observations were made recently in healthy subjects 30 , even when stimulating the brain during the memory consolidation phase. However, findings need to be taken with care, given that research into the impact of taVNS on cognition is still in its infancy 31 , 32 .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation induces stabilizing modifications in large-scale functional brain networks: towards understanding the effects of taVNS in subjects with epilepsy

Wrede

Rings

Schach

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a novel non-invasive brain stimulation technique considered as a potential supplementary treatment option for subjects with refractory epilepsy. Its exact mechanism of action is not yet fully understood. We developed an examination schedule to probe for immediate taVNS-induced modifications of large-scale epileptic brain networks and accompanying changes of cognition and behaviour. In this prospective trial, we applied short-term (1 h) taVNS to 14 subjects with epilepsy during a continuous 3-h EEG recording which was embedded in two standardized neuropsychological assessments. From these EEG, we derived evolving epileptic brain networks and tracked important topological, robustness, and stability properties of networks over time. In the majority of investigated subjects, taVNS induced measurable and persisting modifications in network properties that point to a more resilient epileptic brain network without negatively impacting cognition, behaviour, or mood. The stimulation was well tolerated and the usability of the device was rated good. Short-term taVNS has a topology-modifying, robustness- and stability-enhancing immediate effect on large-scale epileptic brain networks. It has no detrimental effects on cognition and behaviour. Translation into clinical practice requires further studies to detail knowledge about the exact mechanisms by which taVNS prevents or inhibits seizures.

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“…Interestingly, whereas previous research mainly investigated immediate, online effects of taVNS on cognitive functioning by assessing task performance during stimulation (Colzato & Beste, 2020;Ridgewell et al, 2021), the current study provides evidence for the effects of taVNS after stimulation has ended. Although offline stimulation effects have frequently been described for other forms of non-invasive brain stimulation (e.g., Chung et al, 2018;Dedoncker et al, 2016;, only few studies have examined the offline effects of taVNS on cognitive processes (Keute, Ruhnau, Heinze, & Zaehle, 2018;Mertens et al, 2020). However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have systematically evaluated the differences between online and offline taVNS on cognitive and/or affective processes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation enhances cognitive emotion regulation

Smet

Baeken

Seminck

et al. 2021

Behaviour Research and Therapy

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Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Does Not Affect Verbal Memory Performance in Healthy Volunteers

Cited by 39 publications

References 52 publications

The Potential of Invasive and Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation To Improve Verbal Memory Performance in Epilepsy Patients

The Potential of Invasive and Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation To Improve Verbal Memory Performance in Epilepsy Patients

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation induces stabilizing modifications in large-scale functional brain networks: towards understanding the effects of taVNS in subjects with epilepsy

Non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation enhances cognitive emotion regulation

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