Auricular bioelectronic devices for health, medicine, and human-computer interfaces

Frontiers in Electronics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6

Published: Feb. 6, 2025

Recent advances in manufacturing of flexible and conformable microelectronics have opened opportunities for health monitoring disease treatment. Other material engineering advances, such as the development conductive, skin-like hydrogels, liquid metals, electric textiles, piezoelectric films provide safe comfortable means interfacing with human body. Together, these enabled design bioelectronic devices integrated multimodal sensing stimulation capabilities to be worn nearly anywhere on Of particular interest here, external ear (auricle) offers a unique opportunity scalable high degree usability familiarity given broad use headphones. This review article discusses recent auricular capable physiological biochemical sensing, cognitive monitoring, targeted neuromodulation, control human-computer interactions. Stemming from this foundation, there will increased growth competition research advance bioelectronics. activity lead adoption smart headphone-style by patients consumers tracking health, treating medical conditions, enhancing

Language: Английский

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Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Boosts Accuracy During Perceptual Decision-Making

Brain stimulation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 18(3), P. 975 - 986

Published: April 29, 2025

The locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system is a well-established regulator of behavior, yet its precise role remains unclear. Animal studies predominantly support "gain" hypothesis, suggesting that the LC-NE enhances sensory processing. In contrast, human have proposed an alternative "urgency" postulating primarily accelerates responses. To address this discrepancy, we administered transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) in two experiments. first experiment (n = 22), showed 4-s tVNS trains reliably induced greater pupil dilation compared to SHAM condition, indicating increased activity. second 21), applied during random dot motion task assess impact on perceptual decision-making. improved accuracy without affecting reaction times, which appears inconsistent with hypothesis. Exploratory drift-diffusion model analyses further revealing drift rate, indicative enhanced evidence accumulation. Both and drift-rate improvements were most prominent following errors especially pronounced participants who exhibited post-error declines these measures under SHAM. Our findings align tentative activity adapts demands. Accordingly, strongest effects contexts prone declines, possibly reflecting attentional disengagement, points LC mitigating lapses attention.

Language: Английский

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COVIVA: Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation on fatigue-syndrome in patients with Long Covid – A placebo-controlled pilot study protocol

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(5), P. e0315606 - e0315606

Published: May 9, 2025

Background : Up to 80% of patients who develop coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) infection subsequently experience long covid/post-covid syndrome. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that >770 million have been infected with Covid-19 globally. Even if only 10% these covid, > 75 will suffer for a period. Among the various symptoms post-covid syndrome, fatigue is common, affecting up 60% patients. As observed in other viral infections, elevated levels inflammatory cytokines may play role. Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) noninvasive method modulates immune system via central nervous and shown promising effects autoimmune diseases improving fatigue. In this pilot study, we investigated feasibility daily taVNS covid-related Additionally, on quality life be analyzed. Methods A total 45 adult covid associated syndrome enrolled randomized above-threshold-stimulation, below-threshold-stimulation, or sham-stimulation arms, after being informed they feel stimulation. above-threshold-group receive 4-week-long left-sided cymba conchae 25 Hz, 250 µs pulse width 28s/32s on/off paradigm 4 h throughout day. below-threshold group below sensational threshold, whereas sham no following application non-functional electrode. protocol recorded either manually using provided app. Three well-established questionnaires, Multidimensional-Fatigue-Inventory-20, Short-Form-36, Beck-Depression-Inventory, newly established Post-Covid-Syndrome-Score completed both before weeks Discussion primary endpoint set as patients’ average time weeks, while secondary endpoints include Quality Live (QoL). non-invasive treatment option, notable alternative related Trial registration This study was approved by local ethics committee (23/7798) registered (DRKS00031974) (see supporting information files). Ethics & Dissemination: ethical justifiability supported prior research demonstrating safety taVNS. Patients recruited general practitioners, written consent obtained. All data pseudonymized collection storage. results published peer-reviewed journals aim providing evidence potential management. conducted accordance principles Declaration Helsinki.

Language: Английский

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The effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on cardiovascular function in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients: a safety study

medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 3, 2024

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is characterized by intense central inflammation, leading to substantial post-hemorrhagic complications such as vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia. Given the anti-inflammatory effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) its ability promote brain plasticity, taVNS has emerged a promising therapeutic option for SAH patients. However, effects on cardiovascular dynamics in critically ill patients, like those with SAH, have not yet been investigated. association between cardiac elevated risk poor clinical outcomes after it essential characterize ensure this approach safe fragile population. Therefore, we assessed impact both acute repetitive function study.

Language: Английский

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Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation as a potential therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: modulation of the noradrenergic pathway in the prefrontal lobe

Frontiers in Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 18

Published: Dec. 4, 2024

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental characterized by developmental impairments, inattention, motor hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Currently, there no effective intervention that can completely cure it. One of the pathogenic mechanisms ADHD involves abnormalities in norepinephrine (NE) pathway within prefrontal cortex (PFC). In recent years, transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), non-invasive neuromodulation technique, has demonstrated promising potential treatment neurological psychiatric disorders. However, its application management remains relatively unexplored. Previous studies have shown taVNS exerts therapeutic effects on attention, cognition, arousal, perception, behavioral regulation primarily through activating conduction pathway, specifically targeting nucleus tractus solitarius - locus coeruleus NE pathway. These findings led to hypothesis may be an for ADHD, with playing pivotal role this context. Therefore, review comprehensively examines correlation between alterations PFC mechanism action taVNS, treating aiming provide theoretical foundation clinical applications.

Language: Английский

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The effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on cardiovascular function in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients: a safety study

eLife, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Aug. 22, 2024

Background: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is characterized by intense central inflammation, leading to substantial post-hemorrhagic complications such as vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia. Given the anti-inflammatory effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) its ability promote brain plasticity, taVNS has emerged a promising therapeutic option for SAH patients. However, effects on cardiovascular dynamics in critically ill patients, like those with SAH, have not yet been investigated. association between cardiac elevated risk poor clinical outcomes after it essential characterize ensure this approach safe fragile population. Therefore, study assessed impact both acute repetitive function. Methods: In randomized trial, 24 patients were assigned either treatment or sham group. During their stay intensive care unit, we monitored patient electrocardiogram readings vital signs. We compared long-term changes heart rate, rate variability (HRV), QT interval, blood pressure two groups. Additionally, comparing metrics before, during, intervention. also explored biomarkers exhibiting improvement. Results: found that did significantly alter pressure, intracranial (ICP). increased overall HRV parasympathetic activity treatment. The increase was most pronounced from 2 4 days initial (Cohen’s d = 0.50). Acutely, peripheral perfusion index without affecting corrected ICP, HRV. post-treatment elevation more who experienced decrease than one point modified Rankin Score at time discharge. Conclusions: Our induce adverse effects, bradycardia prolongation, supporting development immunomodulatory observed may serve biomarker could derive greater benefit Funding: American Association Neurological Surgeons (ALH), Aneurysm AVM Foundation National Institutes Health R01-EB026439, P41-EB018783, U24-NS109103, R21-NS128307 (ECL, PB), McDonnell Center Systems Neuroscience Fondazione Neurone (PB). Clinical trial number: NCT04557618 .

Language: Английский

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The effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on cardiovascular function in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients: a safety study

Published: Aug. 22, 2024

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is characterized by intense central inflammation, leading to substantial post-hemorrhagic complications such as vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia. Given the anti-inflammatory effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) its ability promote brain plasticity, taVNS has emerged a promising therapeutic option for SAH patients. 3,10,13 However, effects on cardiovascular dynamics in critically ill patients like those with have not yet been investigated. association between cardiac elevated risk poor clinical outcomes after SAH, it essential characterize ensure this approach safe fragile population 5 . Therefore, we assessed impact both acute repetitive function study.In randomized trial, 24 were assigned either treatment or Sham group. During their stay intensive care unit, monitored patient electrocardiogram (ECG) readings vital signs. We compared long-term changes heart rate, rate variability, QT interval, blood pressure two groups. Additionally, comparing metrics before, during, intervention. also explored rapidly responsive biomarkers exhibiting improvement.We found that did significantly alter corrected pressure, intracranial pressure. increased overall variability parasympathetic activity from 5–10 days initial treatment, sham treatment. Acutely, peripheral perfusion index without affecting variability. The post-treatment elevation was more pronounced who experienced decrease than 1 point Modified Rankin Score at time discharge.Our study induce adverse effects, bradycardia prolongation, supporting development immunomodulatory observed increase may serve biomarker could derive greater benefit treatment.Trial registration: NCT04557618

Language: Английский

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Vibrotactile auricular vagus nerve stimulation alters limbic system connectivity in humans: A pilot study

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 14, 2024

Abstract Vibration offers a potential alternative modality for transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). However, mechanisms of action are not well-defined. The goal this study was to evaluate the vibrotactile as method activating central brain regions akin other vagal methodologies. To do so, intracranial electrophysiological signals were recorded in human subjects perform parametric characterization taVNS and investigate changes coherence across key regions. We hypothesized that would increase between limbic areas, similar areas activated by classic electrical VNS approaches. Our specific interest included orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate amygdala, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus. Patients with intractable epilepsy undergoing stereotactic electroencephalography (sEEG) monitoring participated study. Vibrotactile administered five vibration frequencies following randomized on/off pattern, sEEG throughout. Spectral response defined four canonical frequency bands, theta, alpha, beta, broadband gamma. At group level, resulted significantly increased global low-frequency coherence. Anatomically, multiple exhibited notably during compared baseline. percentage total electrode pairs demonstrating also quantified at individual level. 20 Hz highest responder measures, but notable inter-subject variability present. Overall, induced significant increases involving several system structures. Further, revealed presence terms identifying optimal frequency. These findings encourage continued research into an noninvasive stimulation.

Language: Английский

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Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Boosts Post-Error Accuracy During Perceptual Decision-Making

Published: Oct. 22, 2024

Abstract The locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system is a well-established regulator of behavior, yet its precise role remains unclear. Animal studies predominantly support “gain” hypothesis, suggesting that the LC-NE enhances sensory processing, while human have proposed an alternative “urgency” postulating primarily accelerates responses. To address this discrepancy, we administered transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) in two experiments involving 43 participants. In first experiment, showed 4-second tVNS trains reliably induced greater pupil dilation compared to SHAM condition, indicating increased activity. second applied during random dot motion task assess impact on perceptual decision-making. Notably, improved accuracy without affecting reaction times, which appears inconsistent with hypothesis. Drift-diffusion model analyses further supported revealing drift rate, indicative enhanced evidence accumulation. Accuracy and drift-rate improvements were especially pronounced following errors less proficient participants, who otherwise exhibited post-error declines these measures under condition. Our findings suggest influence adapts demands, becoming beneficial challenging contexts. Overall, study underscores potential as non-invasive tool investigate causal behavior.

Language: Английский

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The effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on cardiovascular function in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients: a safety study

Published: Dec. 9, 2024

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is characterized by intense central inflammation, leading to substantial post-hemorrhagic complications such as vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia. Given the anti-inflammatory effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) its ability promote brain plasticity, taVNS has emerged a promising therapeutic option for SAH patients. However, effects on cardiovascular dynamics in critically ill patients, like those with SAH, have not yet been investigated. association between cardiac elevated risk poor clinical outcomes after it essential characterize ensure this approach safe fragile population. Therefore, we assessed impact both acute repetitive function study.In randomized trial, 24 patients were assigned either treatment or Sham group. During their stay intensive care unit, monitored patient electrocardiogram (ECG) readings vital signs. We compared long-term changes heart rate, rate variability, QT interval, blood pressure two groups. Additionally, comparing metrics before, during, intervention. also explored biomarkers exhibiting improvement.We found that did significantly alter pressure, intracranial pressure. increased overall variability parasympathetic activity sham treatment. The increase was most pronounced from 2–4 days initial (Cohen’s d = 0.50). Acutely, peripheral perfusion index without affecting corrected variability. post-treatment elevation more who experienced decrease than one point Modified Rankin Score at time discharge.Our study induce adverse effects, bradycardia prolongation, supporting development immunomodulatory observed may serve biomarker could derive greater benefit treatment.NCT04557618

Language: Английский

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