The Interval Between VNS-Tone Pairings Determines the Extent of Cortical Map Plasticity. (15th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Borland, Michael S.; Engineer, Crystal T.; Vrana, William A.; Moreno, Nicole A.; Engineer, Navzer D.; Vanneste, Sven; Sharma, Pryanka; Pantalia, Meghan C.; Lane, Mark C.; Rennaker, Robert L.; Kilgard, Michael P.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience. Volume 369(2018)
• Page Start: 76
• Page End: 86
• Publication Date: 2018-01-15
• Subjects: CF characteristic frequency -- IP intraperitoneal -- PSTH post stimulus time histogram -- SC subcutaneous -- VNS vagus nerve stimulation; VNS -- vagal -- plasticity -- auditory cortex -- interval between stimulations -- acoustic trauma; Neurochemistry -- Periodicals; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurochimie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurochemistry; Neurophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.11.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4522

Abstract

Highlights: The interval between VNS-tone pairing events is an important parameter that can be adjusted to optimize neural plasticity. A short interval between VNS-tone pairing events failed to normalize neural and behavioral responses after acoustic trauma. Longer intervals between VNS-tone pairing events generated A1 plasticity and normalized responses after acoustic trauma. Reducing the number of VNS-tone pairing events failed to alter A1 responses. Abstract: Repeatedly pairing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) with a tone or movement drives highly specific and long-lasting plasticity in auditory or motor cortex, respectively. Based on this robust enhancement of plasticity, VNS paired with rehabilitative training has emerged as a potential therapy to improve recovery, even when delivered long after the neurological insult. Development of VNS delivery paradigms that reduce therapy duration and maximize efficacy would facilitate clinical translation. The goal of the current study was to determine whether primary auditory cortex (A1) plasticity can be generated more quickly by shortening the interval between VNS-tone pairing events or by delivering fewer VNS-tone pairing events. While shortening the inter-stimulus interval between VNS-tone pairing events resulted in significant A1 plasticity, reducing the number of VNS-tone pairing events failed to alter A1 responses. Additionally, shortening the inter-stimulus interval between VNS-tone pairing events failed to normalize neural and behavioral responses following acoustic trauma. Extending the interval between VNS-tone pairing events yielded comparable A1 frequency map plasticity to the standard protocol, but did so without increasing neural excitability. These results indicate that the duration of the VNS-event pairing session is an important parameter that can be adjusted to optimize neural plasticity for different clinical needs.