Influence of a 2-week transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on memory: findings from a randomized placebo controlled trial in non-clinical adults
Influence of a 2-week transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on memory: findings from a randomized placebo controlled trial in non-clinical adults
StatusVoR
Alternative title
Authors
Cibulcova, Veronika
Koenig, Julian
Jackowska, Marta
Jandackova, Vera Kr
Monograph
Monograph (alternative title)
Date
2024-08
Publisher
Journal title
Clinical Autonomic Research
Issue
Volume
34
Pages
Pages
447-462
ISSN
0959-9851
ISSN of series
Access date
2025-07-22
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
Background: Memory plays an essential role in daily life and is one of the first functions to deteriorate in cognitive impairment and dementia. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is a promising therapeutic method, however its ability to enhance memory is underexplored, especially considering long-term stimulation. We aimed to investigate the effect of a 2-week course of auricular tVNS (taVNS) on memory in a non-clinical population.
Methods: In the single-blind randomized placebo-waitlist control trial 76 participants (men=30; mean age=48.32) were recruited and randomized into four groups: EARLY ACTIVE/SHAM taVNS and LATE ACTIVE/SHAM taVNS. Participation in the study lasted 4 weeks where EARLY groups underwent 2 weeks intervention immediately following the first study site visit (days 0 to 13) and LATE groups 2 weeks after the first study site visit (days 14 to 27). ACTIVE and SHAM taVNS included 2 weeks of daily 4 hours of neurostimulation at the tragus or earlobe, respectively. To assess memory, we used the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test.
Results: Two weeks of ACTIVE taVNS, but not SHAM taVNS improved immediate recall and short-term memory score both in EARLY and LATE groups. Furthermore, the improvements persisted over subsequent follow-up in EARLY ACTIVE taVNS. Importantly, the effect of ACTIVE taVNS was superior to SHAM for immediate recall in both EARLY and LATE groups. There were no statistical differences in delayed recall.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that taVNS has potential to improve memory, particularly immediate recall and may be an effective method in preventing memory loss and mitigating cognitive aging.
Abstract other
Keywords PL
Keywords EN
Immediate recall
Memory
Memory modulation
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation
Vagus nerve
Memory
Memory modulation
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation
Vagus nerve
Keywords other
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Czech Science Foundation
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