Expanding Therapeutic Horizons with Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Innervation plays a pivotal role in the development and functional control of tissues and organs, with the vagus nerve serving as a critical conduit for brain-body communication. This nerve's ability to innervate peripheral organs and directly connect them to the brain underscores its potential as a therapeutic tool for a wide range of central and peripheral diseases. Historically, electrical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been a subject of research since the 19th century, gaining significant recognition in the 1990s with FDA approval for treating refractory central nervous system disorders such as epilepsy and depression. Recent advancements have highlighted the vagus nerve's global anti-inflammatory properties and the development of non-invasive VNS devices, which offer similar efficacy to invasive methods but with improved safety profiles. Despite these advancements, there remain gaps in our understanding of the full potential and applications of non-invasive VNS, necessitating further investigation into its broader clinical applications and mechanisms.
This research topic aims to highlight the latest trends and applications of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation, promoting new clinical strategies for these innovative non-pharmaceutical therapeutics. Specifically, the research seeks to explore new indications for non-invasive VNS, innovations in stimulation modalities, and applications for diverse patient populations. Additionally, the research will investigate the development of new types of treatments, such as preventive, curative, and regenerative therapies, and explore the timing of stimulation, including nocturnal versus diurnal and permanent versus triggered stimulation.
To gather further insights into the boundaries of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- New indications for non-invasive VNS
- Innovations in stimulation modalities, including music, ultrasound stimulation, closed-loop treatment, and multi-modal neuromodulation
- Applications for new patient populations, including fetuses (pregnant women), infants, the elderly, and underserved low-income populations
- Development of new types of treatments: preventive, curative, and regenerative therapies
- Exploring new timing of stimulation, such as nocturnal versus diurnal stimulation and permanent versus triggered (induced) stimulation

By focusing on these research insights and clinical applications, we aim to further the understanding and impact of vagus nerve stimulation in the field of neuroscience and beyond.

Professor Peter Staats is co-founder and CMO for electroCore (TM), co-founder of Alliance of Interventional Pain Physicians, and he is also a consultant for AIS Therapeutics, Medtronic and Biotronic. He holds several patents related to stimulating vagal nerve. The other editors declare no potential conflict of interests.

Keywords: vagal stimulation, Brain-Body Communication, Non-Invasive Therapies, Bi-Directional Signaling, VNS

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.