Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Department of Medical Engineering, Tsinghua University Yuquan Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Eur J Med Res. 2023 Oct 19;28(1):444. doi: 10.1186/s40001-023-01439-2.
The vagus nerve serves as a critical connection between the central nervous system and internal organs. Originally known for its effectiveness in treating refractory epilepsy, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has shown potential for managing other brain diseases, including ischaemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. However, the precise mechanisms of VNS and its benefits for brain diseases are not yet fully understood. Recent studies have found that VNS can inhibit inflammation, promote neuroprotection, help maintain the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, have multisystemic modulatory effects, and even transmit signals from the gut flora to the brain. In this article, we will review several essential studies that summarize the current theories of VNS and its immunomodulatory effects, as well as the therapeutic value of VNS for brain disorders. By doing so, we aim to provide a better understanding of how the neuroimmune network operates and inspire future research in this field.
迷走神经是中枢神经系统与内脏器官之间的重要连接。迷走神经刺激（Vagus nerve stimulation，VNS）最初因其在治疗难治性癫痫方面的有效性而闻名，现在已经显示出在治疗其他脑部疾病方面的潜力，包括缺血性中风、创伤性脑损伤、帕金森病和阿尔茨海默病等。然而，VNS 的确切机制及其对脑部疾病的益处尚未完全了解。最近的研究发现，VNS 可以抑制炎症、促进神经保护、有助于维持血脑屏障的完整性、具有多系统调节作用，甚至可以将肠道菌群的信号传递到大脑。在本文中，我们将回顾几项重要的研究，总结目前关于 VNS 及其免疫调节作用的理论，以及 VNS 对脑部疾病的治疗价值。通过这样做，我们旨在更好地了解神经免疫网络的运作方式，并为该领域的未来研究提供启示。
