Neuroregulatory Effects of Microcone Patch Stimulation on the Auricular Branch of the Vagus Nerve and the Prefrontal Cortex: A Feasibility Study

TL;DR

This study explores how stimulating the vagus nerve with a microcone patch affects brain activity in the prefrontal cortex during reading tasks.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel non-invasive method to investigate the effects of vagus nerve stimulation on prefrontal cortex activity during cognitive tasks.

Findings

Microcone patch stimulation caused significant changes in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activation.

Blood oxygen saturation in the prefrontal region changed during reading tasks with stimulation.

Abstract

Background: The primary purpose of this study was to preliminarily examine the effects of autonomic nervous system activity on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Recent studies have examined approaches to modulating autonomic activity using invasive and non-invasive methods, but the effects of changes in autonomic activity during cognitive tasks on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex have not been fully investigated. The purpose of this preliminary investigation was to examine changes in autonomic activity and blood oxygen saturation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during reading tasks induced by vagus nerve stimulation using a microcone patch. Methods: A cohort of 40 typically developing adults was enrolled in this study. We carefully examined changes in autonomic nervous system activity and blood oxygen saturation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during a reading task in two conditions: with and without microcone patch stimulation. Results: Significant changes in brain activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortext due to microcone patch stimulation were confirmed. In addition, hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed specific changes in reading task-related blood oxygen saturation in the dorsolateral prefrontal region during microcone patch stimulation. Conclusions: It should be recognized that this study is a preliminary investigation and does not have immediate clinical applications. However, our results suggest that changes in autonomic nervous system activity induced by external vagal stimulation may affect activity in specific reading-related regions of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Further research and evaluation are needed to fully understand the implications and potential applications of these findings.

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