Could Vagus Nerve Stimulation Help Repair Myelin and Improve Function in Multiple Sclerosis?

 Firstly, ask your competent? doctor EXACTLY how much myelin damage occurred in your stroke! Then, what EXACT protocols will repair that! 

NO knowledge of either; PURE INCOMPETENCE! Get them fired!

At least this one is doing the non-invasive route. 

Could Vagus Nerve Stimulation Help Repair Myelin and Improve Function in Multiple Sclerosis?

 

The takeaway:

 Researchers at CU Anschutz are studying whether vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), paired with physical rehabilitation, can promote myelin repair and improve function in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). After promising preliminary findings in animal models and a small human pilot study, the team received National Institutes of Health funding to continue the research and work toward a clinical trial. Intrigued by the recent success of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in stroke rehabilitation, neuroscientist Cristin Welle, PhD, wondered: If electrical bursts sparked brain cell regeneration in stroke patients, could it promote myelin regrowth in (MS) patients? And if it did, could it also help the nearly 1 million MS patients in the country recover motor and cognitive abilities stolen by their disease – just as it was doing for patients with stroke? So, the CU Anschutz professor of neurosurgery took her questions to the lab. What Welle and her team found – first in animal models and then in a small pilot study in humans – was so promising, they recently received a phased National Institutes of Health grant to continue both arms of their work.

 Can VNS promote myelin regeneration?

 Modeling its research after the emerging VNS stroke therapy – which UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital became the first in the state to offer this past year – Welle’s team paired vagus nerve stimulation with physical rehabilitation in animal models. Just as their stroke colleagues were doing in the clinic, the researchers delivered the electrical stimulation at the exact moment a skilled motor task was performed correctly. Then they looked at the animal model brain scans. “We were very surprised,” Welle said. The researchers saw a notable increase in new oligodendrocytes – cells in the brain and spinal cord that produce myelin, the coating damaged by MS that protects nerve cell fibers. “No one has really established a link between neuromodulation (such as VNS) and improved myelin before,” said Welle, also a professor of physiology and biophysics in the CU Anschutz School of Medicine.

What is multiple sclerosis (MS)? A neurodegenerative autoimmune disease that affects women at three times the rate of men generally in the prime of life (ages 20-50). Colorado consistently ranks among states with the highest rates of the disease. 

Just as promising, the brain images also suggested the regenerated myelin in the animal models was returning to the locations where it was initially lost.

“We call that myelin pattern recovery, and pattern recovery predicts improvements in motor function,” Welle said. “So we are super excited about that.”

The team then replicated the findings in a small human pilot study, winning the grant to continue its basic science work in the lab while, after meeting feasibility requirements, translating it into a clinical trial. The researchers hope to begin recruitment for the trial by mid-2027.

What role does myelin play in MS symptoms?

With stroke, a sudden lack of blood starves brain cells of oxygen and glucose, resulting in disabilities if not treated quickly.

Studies have shown more “clinically meaningful” improvement in disabilities from stroke when VNS is combined with physical therapy versus doing physical therapy alone. The results suggest improved neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to adapt by forming or reorganizing connections and pathways.

MS has a different route to disability. The autoimmune disease causes the body to attack its own myelin sheath, a coating that protects the axons of neurons in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve.

Damage to myelin disrupts the ability of axons – nerve fibers that carry signals – to communicate effectively. People with MS can suddenly lose the ability to walk, see or use their hands, among a range of other symptoms.

“So we wanted to know: Can VNS encourage myelin plasticity in the same way that it might encourage neuroplasticity in stroke?” Welle said.

What else is VNS used to treat? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved various vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) devices for medical conditions including:

• cluster headaches
• depression
• epilepsy
• migraines
• rheumatoid arthritis
• stroke rehabilitation

What will the clinical trial involve?

The clinical trial will focus on people with relapsing-remitting MS with hand dexterity issues, which affect 75% of MS patients and can dramatically disrupt quality of life. It will have one marked difference from current stroke VNS programs:

Rather than implanting a pulse generator device in participants’ chests, the researchers will apply stimulation via a more noninvasive route – the ear.

“There's a small branch of the vagus nerve in the ear, which is a crazy little biological anomaly, but it’s there,” Welle said.

The vagus nerve, the longest cranial nerve, runs from the brain through the neck to most of the body’s organs. It’s known largely for its parasympathetic effect – or the “rest and digest” part of our autonomic nervous system, Welle said. “And you can stimulate it just by using electrodes on the surface of the ear.”

The standalone VNS device resembles a headset, but it wraps around the neck rather than over the head. A wire connects to a small earbud-like device that’s positioned in the ear.

As with VNS stroke therapy, the clinical trial will involve multiple sessions with volunteers practicing difficult hand dexterity skills. The system senses correct movements and automatically delivers stimulation via a wireless controller whenever a movement is performed correctly.

The long-term vision is to create an at-home system using the ear-stimulation technology, Welle said.

Did you know? CU Anschutz is home to the Rocky Mountain MS Center, one of the largest MS centers in the world. The center serves as a research hub and regional provider to 4,500 patients a year, offering resources that make research such as Cristin Welle’s VNS project possible.

Upper extremity motor outcomes during paired vagus nerve stimulation in chronic ischemic stroke: a retrospective single-health-system cohort study

 Why this research? Your mentors and senior researchers are so incompetent in not knowing of earlier research?

vagus nerve (60 posts to July 2012)

Upper extremity motor outcomes during paired vagus nerve stimulation in chronic ischemic stroke: a retrospective single-health-system cohort study

• 

  Ronald Benitez ^1*

• 

  Michelle Darling ²

• P

  Paige Zaorski ³

• Q

  Quinn Galligan ¹

• 

  Jack Maurer ¹

• 

  Nicole McNamara ⁴

• S

  Shannon J. Doherty ⁵

• 1. Atlantic Brain and Spine, Morristown, NJ, United States

• 2. Atlantic Health, New Providence, NJ, United States

Abstract

Background: 

Persistent upper extremity (UE) impairment after stroke is a major cause of long-term disability, and treatment options in the chronic phase are limited. In randomized trials, vagus nerve stimulation paired with task-specific rehabilitation (Paired VNS) produced greater improvement in UE function and activity than the same rehabilitation with sham stimulation, leading to FDA approval in 2021.

Methods: 

We conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study of adults with chronic stroke and persistent UE deficits who underwent Vivistim implantation(Why the implant rather than non-invasive ones? Don't know of them? PURE INCOMPETENCE!) and participated in a Paired VNS program delivered across 5 outpatient clinics within our health system. The primary outcome was change in Fugl-Meyer Assessment–Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) from baseline (Paired VNS therapy initiation) to end of the intended Paired VNS therapy protocol (18 sessions). A ≥6-point improvement defined a clinically meaningful response. Adverse events were a secondary safety outcome, ascertained from routine clinical documentation and not systematically collected beyond early postoperative follow-up.

Results: 

32 patients underwent device implantation; 28 (88%) completed the intended protocol within the health system and had paired FMA-UE assessments available for the primary analysis. Ages ranged from 34 to 81 years (mean 62.1) and the median time since stroke was 3.0 years (IQR 1.7–4.2). FMA-UE scores improved for all 28 local completers. The mean increase of 9.43 points was statistically significant (95% CI 7.20–11.66; p < 0.001), the median increase was 8.0 points (IQR 5.0–13.25) and 20 patients (71.4%; 95% CI 52.9–84.7%) achieved a clinically meaningful response. Chart-derived clinical notes provided illustrative context regarding individual changes in daily activities that accompanied UE motor improvement in selected cases. Among the 32 implanted patients, one postoperative hematoma resolved without intervention and one device was explanted after 410 days due to chest tingling.

Conclusions: 

In this retrospective single-health-system cohort, Paired VNS was associated with significant improvement in FMA-UE scores among 28 local completers. The findings are directionally consistent with prior trial evidence.

Effects and mechanisms of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on post-stroke cognitive impairment in animal studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

 Why this animal study? Don't we have enough human research out there to create protocols with? Never mind, there aren't enough functioning neurons in your stroke medical 'professionals' to accomplish that! You all need to be fired!

• vagus nerve (56 posts to July 2012)

Effects and mechanisms of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on post-stroke cognitive impairment in animal studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

• 

  Shuying Li

• X

  Xiaping Chen

• S

  Sihang Chen

• F

  Fu Liu

• J

  Jinlong Yin

• W

  Wenhao Hu

• J

  Jiang Xu

• 

  Xuejing Li *

The Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, China

Abstract

 Background:  

Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) substantially undermines rehabilitation adherence and poses a major obstacle to functional recovery. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), a noninvasive neuromodulation technique, has the potential to improve cognitive function, as demonstrated in various clinical and preclinical studies. Against this backdrop, we performed a meta-analysis of taVNS in experimental stroke models to quantify its cognitive benefits and probe the biological mechanisms involved in its effects.

Methods: 

We systematically searched databases, including PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus, to identify controlled animal studies evaluating taVNS in PSCI models. Following eligibility screening, five studies were selected for final synthesis. The primary cognitive outcomes comprised escape latency in the Morris water maze and the Barnes maze. Data extraction was performed independently by two investigators, and statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.4 software.

Results: 

Five RCTs involving 158 rodents were analyzed in this study. The meta-analysis revealed that taVNS significantly improved memory function in PSCI animals (SMD = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.06 to 2.64, p < 0.01, I 2 = 57%) and learning ability (MD = − 6.38, 95% CI: − 8.87 to − 3.89, p < 0.01, I 2 = 0%) and reduced modified neurological severity scores (MD = − 1.08, 95% CI: − 1.63 to − 0.52, p < 0.01, I 2 = 38%). Mechanistically, taVNS significantly elevated acetylcholine levels (SMD = 1.57, 95% CI: 0.85 to 2.30, p < 0.01, I2 = 0%), inhibited neuronal apoptosis (SMD = 2.29), and promoted angiogenesis (SMD = 1.63). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the primary outcomes.

Conclusion: 

This study provides preclinical evidence confirming that taVNS can effectively improve cognitive deficits in PSCI animal models. The enhancement of Ach levels, inhibition of neuronal apoptosis, and promotion of vascular repair may be related to the non-neuronal cholinergic system (NNCS), anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant stress mechanisms. However, as only a few studies were included, more high-quality animal experiments are needed in the future to develop standardized interventions and further explore the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects.

Systematic review registration:

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD420261329420.

New procedure helps restore independence after stroke

 If it's new to your hospital; THAT IS PURE INCOMPETENCE! 

There is nothing new about vagus nerve treatment for stroke. The only thing new is your stroke medical 'professionals' incompetence in acknowledging they are incompetent.

vagus nerve (56 posts to July 2012)

And why the surgical option? Need the revenue?

10 Easy Ways to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve to Reduce Stress from Debbie Hampton

Earlobe Clip-On Attenuates POTS - Vagus Nerve Stimulation May 2023 

The latest here:

New procedure helps restore independence after stroke

For many stroke survivors, weakness or limited movement in their hands and arms can persist long after the initial event, making routine tasks a daily challenge. Baptist Health is bringing renewed hope to those affected by stroke by offering a new outpatient procedure that, when paired with rehabilitative therapy, may help patients regain function in their upper extremities months or even years after an ischemic stroke.

“This first-of-its-kind treatment represents a promising new advancement in stroke recovery,” said neurosurgeon Eric Sauvageau, M.D., co-medical director of Baptist Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center. “Because it helps create new neural connections, improvements in movement can continue even after rehabilitative therapy ends. I’ve seen patients who couldn’t open their hands following a stroke five, seven or even 10 years ago now using their hands to eat.”

The minimally invasive procedure, performed at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, involves implanting a medical device no bigger than the palm of a hand into a patient’s chest. A wire connects the device to the vagus nerve in the neck, which carries signals between the brain and body. The FDA-approved Vivistim Paired VNS System delivers gentle, repeated stimulation to help support recovery.

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), when delivered alongside physical and occupational therapy, boosts the brain’s ability to relearn movement by strengthening existing neural pathways and creating new ones that bypass areas damaged by the stroke. Research has shown that pairing VNS with rehabilitation may help people recover hand and arm function better than rehabilitation alone, with some studies finding improvements that were two to three times greater. While VNS is a newer approach for stroke recovery, it has been used at Baptist Health for years to treat other conditions such as epilepsy. 

Regaining movement and independence

The VNS treatment for stroke is suitable for those who have experienced moderate to severe upper extremity impairment for at least six months or more following an ischemic stroke. Outpatient rehabilitation therapy begins two to three weeks after implantation, with sessions focused on everyday activities such as brushing one’s hair or cutting food. The device delivers stimulation as patients perform these movements, and patients can continue therapy at home by activating the device while practicing exercises or performing daily tasks.

“This innovative therapy is part of our ongoing effort to bring leading-edge stroke treatments to the communities we are privileged to serve,” said Nicole B. Thomas, president of Baptist Jacksonville. “As the regional leader in comprehensive stroke care, our specialist teams excel at delivering compassionate care that restores independence and quality of life to our patients and their families.”

Baptist Health is a regional leader in neurology and neurosurgery and is recognized nationally for minimally invasive, innovative treatments and groundbreaking research.

At the forefront of this work is Baptist Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center. Located at Baptist Jacksonville, it is a leader for advanced diagnostics and treatments for strokes, brain aneurysms and other cerebrovascular conditions. The center’s reach extends to more than two dozen hospitals and satellite EDs via the Telestroke Program, which virtually connects physicians and health care professionals in the greater Jacksonville area and South Georgia with Baptist Health’s stroke experts.

Accessible 24/7, the program promotes quicker diagnosis and treatment, reduces potential disability and saves lives.

For more information on Baptist Health’s stroke program and the Baptist Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center, go to baptistjax.com/services/brain-and-spine/stroke-and-cerebrovascular-care.

Northwell’s Phelps Hospital First in Westchester to Offer Vivistim Procedure for Stroke Recovery

  WOW, admitting COMPLETE FUCKING INCOMPETENCE in how long it took to bring vagus nerve stimulation into their stroke practice. And you haven't fired the board of directors for incompetence yet?

vagus nerve (67 posts to July 2012)

 And why not the non-surgical ones? Or do you need the surgical revenue?

 Earlobe Clip-On Attenuates POTS - Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Non-invasive device shows promise in proof-of-concept trial. 

10 Easy Ways to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve to Reduce Stress from Debbie Hampton

Northwell’s Phelps Hospital First in Westchester to Offer Vivistim Procedure for Stroke Recovery

Cutting-edge neuro-rehabilitation technology helps chronic stroke survivors restore arm and hand function

Northwell’s Phelps Hospital has become the first hospital in Westchester County to offer the FDA-approved Vivistim® Paired VNS™ System, a revolutionary therapy for stroke rehabilitation. This innovative treatment provides new hope for chronic ischemic stroke survivors to regain upper limb function and improve quality of life.

Vivistim is an implantable device, similar to a pacemaker, that is placed in the upper chest and neck to deliver gentle electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve during targeted rehabilitation exercises. This unique "paired" approach is designed to help stroke survivors who have plateaued in traditional therapy relearn and improve motor skills in their affected arm and hand. The Vivistim System has been shown in clinical trials to achieve two to three times greater functional improvement than traditional rehabilitation therapy alone.

Phone

(914) 269-1930

Call or click below to schedule an appointment.

Request an appointment

"We are incredibly proud to be the first in Westchester to offer the Vivistim Paired VNS System," said Christian Ferreira, MD, cerebrovascular neurosurgeon at Phelps Hospital. "For patients who have struggled with persistent arm and hand weakness years after their stroke, this therapy offers renewed hope. It leverages the brain's natural ability to relearn — known as neuroplasticity — providing an opportunity for significant functional improvement that can profoundly impact their daily lives and independence."

This novel therapy combines rehabilitation with vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), a treatment that administers electrical impulses to the vagus nerve, one of the longest nerves in the body. Patients engage in activities ranging from simple tasks like brushing their teeth, writing or getting dressed to more complex daily routines such as preparing meals or playing games. The Vivistim device is activated during these exercises, helping strengthen the neural pathways responsible for movement and essential for regaining lost function.

Candidates for Vivistim are chronic ischemic stroke survivors, at least six months post-stroke, with moderate to severe upper limb deficits and have plateaued in their recovery.

“Bringing this advanced neuro-rehabilitation technology to Westchester underscores Phelps Hospital's unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge care and improving patient outcomes right here in our community,” said David Gordon, MD, chair of neurosurgery for Northwell in Westchester. “The introduction of Vivistim at Phelps provides local access to this life-changing therapy for stroke survivors throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley, eliminating the need to travel outside the region for this specialized treatment.”

The addition of Vivistim builds on Northwell's continued investment in neurological care across the region, bringing the most advanced treatments closer to the communities it serves. Over the past year, the health system expanded its neurosurgical practice with a new dedicated location at Phelps Hospital and launched a $1.96 million comprehensive neurology practice in nearby Chappaqua Crossing.

Phelps provides the full spectrum of ischemic stroke care, from IV thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy to emergent neurosurgical procedures. The hospital has been designated a thrombectomy-capable stroke center by the Joint Commission, the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Stroke Association (ASA). The AHA and ASA have also recognized Phelps with the Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Performance Achievement Award, as well as the Target: Stroke Honor Roll - Elite and Target: Stroke Honor Roll for advanced therapies. 

Mobia Medical (MOBI) Reports Promising Two-Year Results from VNS-REHAB Study

 In the US you would have long ago been kicked out of doctor and therapist supervised rehab due to plateauing. The goal is to kick you out of insurance as soon as possible to increase insurance company profits; it has nothing to do with getting you recovered! You'll have to ask for this while since in acute stage.

Mobia Medical (MOBI) Reports Promising Two-Year Results from VNS-REHAB Study

On July 14, 2026, Mobia Medical MOBI +2.16% 

7

revealed encouraging two-year follow-up outcomes from the VNS-REHAB study, recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Neurology. The results indicate significant and sustained improvements in upper-limb motor function, daily living activities, and overall quality of life for patients who underwent the Vivistim Paired VNS Therapy. This study provides robust longitudinal evidence for interventions aimed at chronic ischemic stroke recovery.

• Market Cap: $384.7 million
• GF Score™: 7/100, indicating a below-average ranking in terms of long-term  investment potential.
• Insider Activity: There were 10 insider buying transactions over the past 3 months, with a total of 1,448,202 shares bought.

What's Behind the News?

The VNS-REHAB study results are significant as they showcase the efficacy of the Vivistim Paired VNS Therapy in improving motor functions and quality of life for stroke survivors. The study analyzed  data from 49 participants and found that 76% achieved clinically meaningful responses on key assessments, including the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity impairment and the Wolf Motor Function Test. These findings suggest that the therapy not only aids in physical rehabilitation but also enhances daily living activities and overall well-being, making it a promising option for chronic ischemic stroke recovery.

Lottery

Mobia Medical Inc operates in the healthcare sector, specifically within the medical devices and instruments industry. The company is focused on redefining stroke recovery for survivors living with motor impairments. Its flagship product, the Vivistim Paired Vagus Nerve Stimulation system, is primarily sold to stroke centers across the United States. With a market capitalization of $384.7 million, Mobia Medical continues to innovate in a critical area of healthcare, addressing the needs of stroke survivors.