Opinionated Science Episode 7: The Vagus Nerve: A Target to Treat Brain and Body?

Podcast

Published: June 19, 2020

Opinionated Science Episode 7: The Vagus Nerve: A Target to Treat Brain and Body? content piece image

Opinionated Science is Technology Networks’ homemade podcast, where our team of scientists-turned-journalists cut out the chewy jargon and serve up slices of the most fascinating stories from the world of science. Expect a new Opinionated Science every other Friday.

In this episode, we review the evidence surrounding vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), a therapy approved for epilepsy and depression that backers now want to use to treat a host of other conditions, include autoimmune disease and heart failure. How can scientists fill in the gaps in the VNS knowledge base?

Read more from this podcast:

Zanos lab research on anodal block

The history of VNS

VNS as a treatment for depression

Sensate Device

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Meet the Authors

Ash Board PhD

Editorial Director

Ash Board is the editorial director at Technology Networks, he holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Nottingham and has over 10 years' experience in science publishing.

Ruairi J Mackenzie

RJ is a freelance science writer based in Glasgow. He covers biological and biomedical science, with a focus on the complexities and curiosities of the brain and emerging AI technologies. RJ was a science writer at Technology Networks for six years. RJ has a Master’s degree in Clinical Neurosciences from the University of Cambridge.