Exploring the vagus nerve and the inflammatory reflex for therapeutic benefit in chronic spinal cord injury. Issue 2 (31st January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bloom, Ona; Tracey, Kevin J.; Pavlov, Valentin A.
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in neurology. Volume 35:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 249
• Page End: 257
• Publication Date: 2022-01-31
• Subjects: autonomic nervous system -- galantamine -- inflammation -- inflammatory reflex -- spinal cord injury -- vagus nerve -- vagus nerve stimulation; Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.805
• DOI: 10.1097/WCO.0000000000001036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-6551

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose of review: To describe features and implications of chronic systemic inflammation in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to summarize the growing therapeutic possibilities to explore the vagus nerve-mediated inflammatory reflex in this context. Recent findings: The discovery of the inflammatory reflex provides a rationale to explore neuromodulation modalities, that is, electrical vagus nerve stimulation and pharmacological cholinergic modalities to regulate inflammation after SCI. Summary: Inflammation in individuals with SCI may negatively impact functional recovery and medical consequences after SCI. Exploring the potential of the vagus nerve-based inflammatory reflex to restore autonomic regulation and control inflammation may provide a novel approach for functional improvement in SCI.