An Exploratory Study of How Acute Neuromodulation of the Subdiaphragmatic Branches Regulates Inflammation

Kaitlyn V Jarry, Purdue University

Abstract

In recent years the role of inflammation in depression has emerged, giving rise to the notion that modulating inflammation could be responsible for changes in observed symptoms. It has been shown that left cervical vagus stimulation reduces the cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), but what about other cytokines? The cervical vagus also innervates several regions, thus the branches that are key to modulating inflammation need to be discerned. Here we show that left cervical vagus stimulation creates an anti-inflammatory effect by regulating circulating levels of the cytokines IL6, IL10 and TNFα. Using this information, we determine the level of involvement the celiac, gastric and hepatic subdiaphragmatic branches have on this anti-inflammatory effect. The hepatic branch appears to have the largest responsibility, followed by the celiac branch. These branches express similar trends when compared to left cervical stimulation, especially in the cases of IL6 and Il10. Due to the large number of afferent vagal fibers present in these nerves, it seems most likely that afferent stimulation is responsible for this effect.^

Degree

M.S.B.M.E.

Advisors

Pedro Irazoqui, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Neurosciences|Biomedical engineering|Immunology

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