Journal Article

DZNE-2020-07190

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png No modulation of pupil size and event-related pupil response by transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS).

Keute, M. ; Demirezen, M. ; Graf, A.DZNE* ; Müller, N.DZNE* ; Zaehle, T. (Corresponding author)

2019
Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature [London]

This record in other databases:    

Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s41598-019-47961-4

Abstract: Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) bears therapeutic potential for a wide range of medical conditions. However, previous studies have found substantial interindividual variability in responsiveness to taVNS, and no reliable predictive biomarker for stimulation success has been developed so far. In this study, we investigate pupil size and event-related pupil response as candidate biomarkers. Both measures have a direct physiological link to the activity of the locus coeruleus (LC), a brainstem structure and the main source of norepinephrine in the brain. LC activation is considered one of the key mechanisms of action of taVNS, therefore, we expected a clear increase of the pupillary measures under taVNS compared to sham (placebo) stimulation, such that it could serve as a prospective predictor for individual clinical and physiological taVNS effects in future studies. We studied resting pupil size and pupillary responses to target stimuli in an auditory oddball task in 33 healthy young volunteers. We observed stronger pupil responses to target than to standard stimuli. However, and contrary to our hypothesis, neither pupil size nor the event-related pupil response nor behavioral performance were modulated by taVNS. We discuss potential explanations for this negative finding and its implications for future clinical investigation and development of taVNS.

Keyword(s): Adult (MeSH) ; Depression: therapy (MeSH) ; Ear Auricle: innervation (MeSH) ; Electrodes (MeSH) ; Epilepsy: therapy (MeSH) ; Female (MeSH) ; Healthy Volunteers (MeSH) ; Humans (MeSH) ; Locus Coeruleus: physiology (MeSH) ; Male (MeSH) ; Pupil: physiology (MeSH) ; Skin: innervation (MeSH) ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation: instrumentation (MeSH) ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation: methods (MeSH) ; Vagus Nerve: physiology (MeSH) ; Vagus Nerve Stimulation: instrumentation (MeSH) ; Vagus Nerve Stimulation: methods (MeSH) ; Young Adult (MeSH)

---

Contributing Institute(s):

1. Neuroprotection (AG Müller)

Research Program(s):

1. 344 - Clinical and Health Care Research (POF3-344) (POF3-344)

Appears in the scientific report 2019

---

Database coverage:
; ; ; ; BIOSIS Previews ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; DOAJ Seal ; Ebsco Academic Search ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Web of Science Core Collection ; Zoological Record

---