This paper is a terrific review of the science behind TaVNS (transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation) and how it pertains to treatment of major depression. They teased out the aspects of the Hamilton Depression Scale that were most affected by the
I won’t speculate why it’s the women who tend to get the punishment, but those investors should have listened to me!!
These researchers set out to determine the best parameters for TaVNS. The found 500μ and 25Hz or 10Hz were most effective. They used the tragus for stimulation. Tragus may not be the most effective, but it does have some effect
Neuropsychologia. 2018 Jan 8. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) enhances divergent thinking. Colzato LS1, Ritter SM2, Steenbergen L3. Author information 1 Leiden University, Cognitive Psychology Unit & Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Psychology,
I have been using cymba concha stimulation in my clinic for TaVNS. This article corroborates that practice. Neuromodulation. 2017 Apr;20(3):290-300. doi: 10.1111/ner.12541. Epub 2016 Nov 29. Optimization of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Using Functional MRI. Yakunina N1,2, Kim SS2,3, Nam
This info graphic is super helpful for learning why Vitamin D is so crucial for health. From Rhonda Patrick’s blog. good health.
This is a handy and thorough overview of HRV history and applications. Some useful tables and basics on the various parameters used in HRV (time, frequency and non-linear measures.) I’ve pasted some of the text here for my own reference
This study evaluates the startle response in patients with PTSD after TaVNS (Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation). They showed less startle and improved HRV compared to sham during head tilt provocation. They made custom ear electrodes, as I’ve been doing
This paper is by friend of blog, Vitaly Napadow. In this study he is doing something I’ve been working on. He uses ear stimulation to increase parasympathetic activity in subjects with hypertension and monitors autonomic activity using HRV. It has
In this study, the researchers used the technique I’m experimenting with, transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation, or TaVNS, in patients with depression to correlate with their fMRI results. The procedure was similar to what I’ve been using in the clinic.
