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Effect of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation on clinical symptoms and molecular biomarkers in Parkinson’s disease

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Stuart BakerORCiD, Professor Mark BakerORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

Copyright © 2024 Mondal, Choudhury, Banerjee, Roy, Chatterjee, Basu, Singh, Halder, Shubham, Baker, Baker and Kumar.Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) is an established neurostimulation therapy used in the treatment of epilepsy, migraine and cluster headache. In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial we explored the role of nVNS in the treatment of gait and other motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. In a subgroup of patients, we measured selected neurotrophins, inflammatory markers and markers of oxidative stress in serum. Thirty-three PD patients with freezing of gait (FOG) were randomized to either active nVNS or sham nVNS. After baseline assessments, patients were instructed to deliver six 2 min stimulations (12 min/day) of the active nVNS/sham nVNS device for 1 month at home. Patients were then re-assessed. After a one-month washout period, they were allocated to the alternate treatment arm and the same process was followed. Significant improvements in key gait parameters (speed, stance time and step length) were observed with active nVNS. While serum tumor necrosis factor- α decreased, glutathione and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) after active nVNS treatment. Here we present the first evidence of the efficacy and safety of nVNS in the treatment of gait in PD patients, and propose that nVNS can be used as an adjunctive therapy in the management of PD patients, especially those suffering from FOG. Clinical trial registration: identifier ISRCTN14797144.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Mondal B, Choudhury S, Banerjee R, Roy A, Chatterjee K, Basu P, Singh R, Halder S, Shubham S, Baker SN, Baker MR, Kumar H

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience

Year: 2024

Volume: 15

Online publication date: 07/02/2024

Acceptance date: 20/12/2023

Date deposited: 05/03/2024

ISSN (electronic): 1663-4365

Publisher: Frontiers Media SA

URL: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2023.1331575

DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1331575

Data Access Statement: The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata research fund.

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