Vagus Nerve Stimulators - Repurposing the Technology

From a lecture given by Hugh Darrow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2011.

We're all familiar with vagus nerve stimulator devices and their use in the treatment of partial epilepsy. This year the patent lockout ends on this technology, and as such we're at a point where the introduction of generic vagus nerve stimulator systems is a viable possibility.

The vagus nerve can be stimulated artificially to modulate neural plasticity in the brain, without the need for invasive surgery. Correctly controlled, governance of neurotransmitter release in brain tissue is simply a matter of degree.

Recently, we have come to understand that -- with neuromodulation of the immune system through the release of neurotransmitters in the brain -- we can decrease systemic inflammation, speed healing, and in fact, control the cycles of immune function. This has led to an increase in our understanding of thinking of the immune system as a rechargeable battery.