Brain plasticity and vagus nerve stimulation

After damage to the central nervous system, caused by traumatic injury or ischemia, plasticity becomes critically important for functional recovery. When this inherent capacity to adapt is limited despite training, external stimulation may support this process.Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective method to enhance the effect of motor rehabilitation training on functional recovery. However, the mechanisms by which VNS exerts beneficial effects on cortical plasticity are not completely understood.
Source: Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Source Type: research