Expected effects of auricular vagus nerve stimulation in dystonia

Abstract

Punctual electrical stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve is a potentially effective, minimalinvasive treatment in primary dystonia. This is due to electrical stimulation effects on brain structures involved in the genesis of dystonia. Preliminary experimental data from stimulation with fixed patterns of three vagal points in the auricle reveals significant improvements in motility in cervical dystonia. Based on theoretical considerations, specific stimulation patterns are proposed here which account for the identified signal transduction pathways, neural plasticity and adaptation processes. © 2013 by Walter de Gruyter.