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Vagus Nerve Stimulation‐Induced Synchrony Modulation of Local Field Potential in the Rat Cerebral Cortex
Author(s) -
Kano Ryuji,
Usami Kenichi,
Noda Takahiro,
Shiramatsu Tomoyo I.,
Kanzaki Ryohei,
Kawai Kensuke,
Takahashi Hirokazu
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
electronics and communications in japan
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.131
H-Index - 13
eISSN - 1942-9541
pISSN - 1942-9533
DOI - 10.1002/ecj.11674
Subject(s) - vagus nerve stimulation , local field potential , neuroscience , stimulation , vagus nerve , auditory cortex , cerebral cortex , electroencephalography , cortex (anatomy) , synchronization (alternating current) , epilepsy , psychology , computer science , telecommunications , channel (broadcasting)
SUMMARY Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a surgical treatment for intractable epilepsy. Although VNS has been used to treat more than 60,000 patients, the precise therapeutic mechanism of action has not been elucidated. Here, we hypothesize that VNS modulates the local synchronization of cortical activities and thus inhibits seizures. In order to verify this hypothesis, we mapped local field potentials (LFPs) with high‐spatial resolution using a microelectrode array from the temporal cortices of adult rats and analyzed VNS‐induced phase modulation at the local network level. VNS significantly increased the phase locking value (PLV), an index of synchronization, specifically at the gamma band. The optimal stimulation pulse of VNS was 0.5 mA delivered at 10 Hz. This PLV modulation was most effective when the interelectrode distance was about 1.6 mm. Gamma‐band PLVs within the auditory cortex increased more significantly than those between the auditory and nonauditory cortices, while alpha‐ and low‐beta PLV exhibited more synchronization between the auditory and nonauditory cortices. These results demonstrate that VNS modulates cortical synchronization in a band specific manner, and has some implications for the mechanism of action of VNS.

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