Tragus or cymba conchae? Investigating the anatomical foundation of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS)

We thank Burger and Verkuil [1] for bringing attention to the only published cadaver ear dissection studies in the literature, published in 2002 by Peuker and Filler [2]. This cadaver study is indeed important, and has fueled the increased interest in modulating the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN). Researchers clearly want to know which ear target is optimal for taVNS – tragus or cymba conchae? Burger and Verkuil have found and investigated an apparent discrepancy in Peuker and Filler's work, and then contacted Prof.

Source: BRAIN STIMULATION: Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research in Neuromodulation - June 6, 2018 Category: Neurology Authors: Bashar W. Badran, Joshua C. Brown, Logan T. Dowdle, Oliver J. Mithoefer, Nicholas T. LaBate, James Coatsworth, William H. DeVries, Christopher W. Austelle, Lisa M. McTeague, Alfred Yu, Marom Bikson, Dorothea D. Jenkins, Mark S. George Source Type: research