Vagus nerve stimulation therapy shows progress in battling PTSD symptoms
The vagus nerve controls the parasympathetic nervous system, which oversees a vast array of crucial bodily functions including digestion and slowing the heart rate. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is already used as a treatment for disorders including epilepsy and depression, and it has been shown to enhance memory retention.
The technique’s effect on memory is key: UT Dallas researchers theorized it could help those with PTSD successfully learn to overcome fear responses in non-threatening situations.
In a new preclinical study published in the journal Translational Psychiatry, UT Dallas scientists found that mild electrical pulses to the vagus nerve indeed showed some protective effects against PTSD symptoms.
“We found evidence that treating the traumatic memory produced lasting improvements in other PTSD-like symptoms such as anxiety, arousal and avoidance,” said Dr. Christa McIntyre, associate professor of neuroscience in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and the study’s senior author.
Vagus nerve stimulation therapy shows progress in battling PTSD symptoms