Science
Autonomic Dysfunction is a modern disease associated with the vagus nerve.
Vagus nerve is the key part of your parasympathetic nervous system, otherwise known as the “rest-and-digest” system.
It affects your breathing, digestive function and heart rate, all of which can have a huge impact on your mental health.
The Vagus Nerve
The vagus nerve, which is the tenth cranial nerve, is a major component of the autonomic nervous system and plays a key role in regulating metabolic homeostasis.
The vagus nerve relays the parasympathetic nerve fibers to the heart, the signals from which can slow down the heart rate. Dysfunction of the vagus nerve can be very dangerous due to its relationship to the heart. On the other hand, it was demonstrated that vagus nerve stimulation is potentially useful in various disorders, including epilepsy.
The Vagus Nerve
The vagus nerve, which is the tenth cranial nerve, is a major component of the autonomic nervous system and plays a key role in regulating metabolic homeostasis..
The vagus nerve relays the parasympathetic nerve fibers to the heart, the signals from which can slow down the heart rate. Dysfunction of the vagus nerve can be very dangerous due to its relationship to the heart. On the other hand, it was demonstrated that vagus nerve stimulation is potentially useful in various disorders, including epilepsy.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
The idea of stimulating the vagus nerve to regulate the activities of the central nervous system has been pursued for over 100 years. The vagus nerve relays the parasympathetic nerve fibers to the heart, the signals from which can slow down the heart rate. Dysfunction of the vagus nerve can be very dangerous due to its relationship to the heart. On the other hand, it was demonstrated that vagus nerve stimulation is potentially useful in various disorders, including epilepsy.
Studies on VNS identified that stimulating particular afferent fibers (that travel to the brain) of the vagus nerve causes the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters such as GABA, serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
The idea of stimulating the vagus nerve to regulate the activities of the central nervous system has been pursued for over 100 years. The vagus nerve relays the parasympathetic nerve fibers to the heart, the signals from which can slow down the heart rate. Dysfunction of the vagus nerve can be very dangerous due to its relationship to the heart. On the other hand, it was demonstrated that vagus nerve stimulation is potentially useful in various disorders, including epilepsy.
Studies on VNS identified that stimulating particular afferent fibers (that travel to the brain) of the vagus nerve causes the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters such as GABA, serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system.
Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system has two major efferent pathways, sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways, which innervate and affect all the organs in the body. The structure of the autonomic nervous system with numerous neurotransmitters and synapses allows to flexibly control the organ functions and the maintenance of systemic blood pressure and body temperature. Disorders of the autonomic nervous system may lead to local or systemic impact.
Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system has two major efferent pathways, sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways, which innervate and affect all the organs in the body. The structure of the autonomic nervous system with numerous neurotransmitters and synapses allows to flexibly control the organ functions and the maintenance of systemic blood pressure and body temperature. Disorders of the autonomic nervous system may lead to local or systemic impact.
Autonomic Disorders
Autonomic dysfunction can make us feel old and sick, while keeping us from enjoying our basic quality of life. Many systems in our body stop working properly and we would feel tired and dizzy, have headaches, and are increasingly unable to eat or digest food, use the bathroom as normal, get a good night’s sleep, or have sexual intercourse. It leads to neurological problems, gastrointestinal problems, cardiology problems, autoimmune and nervous system problems, temperature regulation problems and organ dysfunction. Autonomic dysfunction is the key to chronic pain, chronic fatigue, persistent hunger, insomnia, emotional regulation, blood pressure and blood sugar regulation, depression, anxiety, panic attacks and PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder).
Autonomic Disorders
Autonomic dysfunction can make us feel old and sick, while keeping us from enjoying our basic quality of life. Many systems in our body stop working properly and we would feel tired and dizzy, have headaches, and are increasingly unable to eat or digest food, use the bathroom as normal, get a good night’s sleep, or have sexual intercourse. It leads to neurological problems, gastrointestinal problems, cardiology problems, autoimmune and nervous system problems, temperature regulation problems and organ dysfunction. Autonomic dysfunction is the key to chronic pain, chronic fatigue, persistent hunger, insomnia, emotional regulation, blood pressure and blood sugar regulation, depression, anxiety, panic attacks and PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder).
Autonomic Nervous System and Aging
Aging is related to the structural and functional changes in the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which innervates the whole body and affects almost every body system. Changes associated with aging are found in autonomic nerves and ganglia, and the functions controlled by ANS such as cardiovascular functions.
Much of the current knowledge about age-related changes in the functions of the sympathetic nervous system is derived from studies of circulating catecholamine levels, norepinephrine dynamics and microneurographic recordings from the sympathetic nervous system of skeletal muscles. Significant evidence suggests that basal plasma norepinephrine levels increase with age.
Autonomic Nervous System and Aging
Aging is related to the structural and functional changes in the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which innervates the whole body and affects almost every body system. Changes associated with aging are found in autonomic nerves and ganglia, and the functions controlled by ANS such as cardiovascular functions.
Much of the current knowledge about age-related changes in the functions of the sympathetic nervous system is derived from studies of circulating catecholamine levels, norepinephrine dynamics and microneurographic recordings from the sympathetic nervous system of skeletal muscles. Significant evidence suggests that basal plasma norepinephrine levels increase with age.
