Stimulation Waveforms for the Selective Activation of Baroreceptor Nerve Fibers in the Cervical Vagus Nerve

Abstract

The recruitment of large nerve fibers before small fibers is an issue in many neuromodulation applications. It may, e.g., cause the larynx to be activated by vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) at lower thresholds than required for activation of clinically relevant fibers, such as baroreceptors. We here present results from two animals, indicating that a custom waveform, combining known techniques, can activate the baroreflex with suppressed laryngeal activation, as compared to rectangular pulses. Such selective baroreflex activation with tolerable side-effects could potentially help advance VNS as a treatment modality in resistant hypertension.