Do the psychological effects of vagus nerve stimulation partially mediate vagal pain modulation?

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2017.03.002
• Publication Date: 2017-05-17T15:22:36Z
• Authors: Eleni Frangos; Emily A. Richards; M. Catherine Bush...
• Keywords: Vagus Nerve Stimulation; Vagal Tone; Neuromodulation

There is preclinical and clinical evidence that vagus nerve stimulation modulates both pain mood state. Mechanistic studies show brainstem circuitry involved in modulation by stimulation, but little known about possible indirect descending effects of altered state on perception. This possibility important, since previous have shown affects pain, particularly the affective dimension (pain unpleasantness). To date, human investigating perception not reliably measured psychological factors to determine their role elicited stimulation. Thus, it remains unclear how much a play vagal modulation. Here, we present rationale for including measures future pain.