# Exploring vagus nerve stimulation in postoperative delirium and dementia

## TL;DR

This paper explores how stimulating the vagus nerve might reduce brain inflammation and cognitive decline after surgery.

## Contribution

The paper introduces percutaneous vagus nerve stimulation as a novel strategy to mitigate postoperative neuroinflammation and cognitive decline.

## Key findings

- Postoperative delirium is linked to long-term cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s Disease risk.
- Peripheral inflammation after surgery worsens neuroinflammation and amyloid pathology.
- Vagus nerve stimulation is proposed as a potential intervention to reduce these effects.

## Abstract

Microglial activation and neuroinflammation, important aspects of neurodegeneration and accumulation of amyloid-pathology, is often exacerbated by peripheral inflammation following surgical procedures. Subsequent postoperative delirium is a predictor for long-term cognitive decline and increased rick of Alzheimer’s Disease, and perioperative strategies to reduce inflammatory responses, may be a potential avenue to mitigate postoperative complications. In this issue of Bioelectronic Medicine, Song et al. utilize percutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (pVNS) as a potential novel avenue for the attenuation of neuroinflammation and postoperative cognitive decline, which we have discussed in this commentary.