Vagus nerve device aims to treat dopamine-related conditions such as Parkinson’s

A device which stimulates the vagus nerve has been developed by electroCore which aims to treat dopamine-related conditions such as depression, chronic pain, and Parkinson’s Disease.

The vagus nerve – or vagal nerves – is a nerve related to the parasympathetic nervous system which control involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, breathing and digestion.

Research has shown that direct electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve can cause the production of dopamine, a hormone and neurotransmitter, which plays a key role in functions such as bodily movements, sleep, memory, and learning.

In conditions such as Parkinson’s, dopamine production is reduced due to a loss of nerve cells that produce the neurotransmitter – which also plays a key role in chronic pain conditions.

The vagal nerve stimulating, non-invasive device from electroCore works by attaching one or more electrodes connected to an energy source within the device to an individual’s skin near the nerve on the side of the neck.

It then generates electrical impulses that trigger the vagus nerve, which electroCore says could lead to the release of dopamine and endogenous opioids in the brain.

Many available electrical stimulation options currently involve invasive treatment, whereby electrodes are surgically implanted onto the nerve, which can sometimes lead to complications such as stroke caused by damage to surrounding tissues and the neuro-vasculature.

In a recently filed patent, electroCore explains: “The use of electrical stimulation for treatment of medical conditions has been well known in the art for nearly two thousand years. It has been recognised that electrical stimulation of the brain and/or the peripheral nervous system and/or direct stimulation of the malfunctioning tissue holds significant promise for the treatment of many ailments, because such stimulation is generally a wholly reversible and non-destructive treatment.”

electroCore says advantages of the non-invasive stimulation include that:

• The patient may be more psychologically prepared to experience a procedure that is non-invasive and may therefore be more cooperative, resulting in a better outcome.
• Non-invasive procedures may avoid damage of biological tissues, such as that due to bleeding, infection, skin or internal organ injury, blood vessel injury, and vein or lung blood clotting.
• Non-invasive procedures generally present fewer problems with biocompatibility. In cases involving the attachment of electrodes, non-invasive methods have less of a tendency for breakage of leads, and the electrodes can be easily repositioned if necessary.
• Non-invasive methods are sometimes painless or only minimally painful and may be performed without the need for even local anaesthesia.
• Less training may be required for use of non-invasive procedures by medical professionals. In view of the reduced risk ordinarily associated with non-invasive procedures, some such procedures may be suitable for use by the patient or family members at home or by first-responders at home or at a workplace, and the cost of non-invasive procedures may be reduced relative to comparable invasive procedures.

Speaking to Health News, Philip M. McCarthy, a board-certified neurologist and epileptologist at Corewell Health, explained that more research will be needed before the device can be use to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s: “At this time, there is no indication for vagal nerve stimulation in the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease or mental health disorders related to reduced dopamine levels.

“The effect of vagal nerve stimulation on dopamine is undetermined, [and] further investigation is required to make a definitive determination.

“I believe transcutaneous stimulation devices may be an option for patients who do not wish to have a vagal nerve stimulator implanted surgically. However, the reliability of transcutaneous stimulation devices for the vagus nerve is unproven.”

electroCore is now carrying out a study to test the safety and effectiveness of the device in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.