Does vibrotactile stimulation of the auricular vagus nerve enhance working memory? A behavioral and physiological investigation
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Working memory is essential to a wide range of cognitive functions and activities. Transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS) is a promising method to improve working memory performance. However, the feasibility and scalability of electrical stimulation are constrained by several limitations, such as auricular discomfort and inconsistent electrical contact. Objective: We aimed to develop a novel and practical method, vibrotactile taVNS, to improve working memory. Further, we investigated its effects on arousal, measured by skin conductance and pupil diameter. Method: This study included 20 healthy participants. Behavioral response, skin conductance, and eye tracking data were concurrently recorded while the participants performed N-back tasks under three conditions: vibrotactile taVNS delivered to the cymba concha, earlobe (sham control), and no stimulation (baseline control). Results: ' with increasing task difficulty was significantly smaller during vibrotactile taVNS sessions than in both baseline and sham conditions. Arousal, measured as skin conductance and pupil diameter, declined over the course of the tasks. Vibrotactile taVNS rescued this arousal decline, leading to arousal levels corresponding to optimal working memory levels. Moreover, pupil diameter and skin conductance level were higher during high-cognitive-load tasks when vibrotactile taVNS was delivered to the concha compared to baseline and sham. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that vibrotactile taVNS modulates the arousal pathway and could be a potential intervention for enhancing working memory. Highlights: Vibrotactile stimulation of the auricular vagus nerve increases general arousal.Vibrotactile stimulation of the auricular vagus nerve mitigates arousal decreases as subjects continuously perform working memory tasks.6 Hz Vibrotactile auricular vagus nerve stimulation is a potential intervention for enhancing working memory performance.
Source: Brain stimulation
Institutions: Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,020
Funders: Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, McDonnell Center for Systems Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Awards: G3455473179, Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation to mitigate subarachnoid hemorrhage induced inflammation, Mechanisms of Amygdala-Mediated Memory Enhancement in Humans, Dynamics and Causal Functions of Large-Scale Cortical and Subcortical Networks, BCI2000+: A Software Platform for Adaptive Neurotechnologies, BCI2000: Software Resource for Adaptive Neurotechnology Research, Center for Adaptive Neurotechnologies, G9000066060, Optimizing Pharmacotherapy with Noninvasive Wearable Sensors and Subscalp EEG, An Ecosystem of Technology and Protocols for Adaptive Neuromodulation Research in Humans, Washington University Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences
OpenAlex ID: W4394063291