BACKGROUND: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been shown to improve memory. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to learn at which stage of memory formation this influence occurs. METHODS: Ten subjects who had been implanted with vagus nerve stimulators for the treatment of intractable seizures performed tasks that assessed learning and retention (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test) during actual and sham VNS. RESULTS: We found that VNS had no effect on learning but enhanced consolidation, which led to improved retention. CONCLUSIONS: The means by which VNS improves retention is probably related to the increased activity in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius and the locus coeruleus-central adrenergic system that activates the amygdala and increases long-term potentiation in the hippocampus.
BACKGROUND: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been shown to improve memory. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to learn at which stage of memory formation this influence occurs. METHODS: Ten subjects who had been implanted with vagus nerve stimulators for the treatment of intractable seizures performed tasks that assessed learning and retention (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test) during actual and sham VNS. RESULTS: We found that VNS had no effect on learning but enhanced consolidation, which led to improved retention. CONCLUSIONS: The means by which VNS improves retention is probably related to the increased activity in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius and the locus coeruleus-central adrenergic system that activates the amygdala and increases long-term potentiation in the hippocampus.
Authors: Matthew K Leonard; Bharath Chandrasekaran; Fernando Llanos; Jacie R McHaney; William L Schuerman; Han G Yi Journal: NPJ Sci Learn Date: 2020-08-06
Authors: Heberto Suarez-Roca; Rebecca Y Klinger; Mihai V Podgoreanu; Ru-Rong Ji; Martin I Sigurdsson; Nathan Waldron; Joseph P Mathew; William Maixner Journal: Anesthesiology Date: 2019-04 Impact factor: 7.892
Authors: Nil Z Gurel; Asim H Gazi; Kristine L Scott; Matthew T Wittbrodt; Amit J Shah; Viola Vaccarino; J Douglas Bremner; Omer T Inan Journal: AMIA Annu Symp Proc Date: 2020-03-04
Authors: Lauren N Whitehurst; Nicola Cellini; Elizabeth A McDevitt; Katherine A Duggan; Sara C Mednick Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2016-06-13 Impact factor: 11.205