The pacemaker-like device is typically implanted below the left collarbone with wires running to the vagus nerve in the neck and is already used to tackle treatment-resistant epilepsy and depression. The bioelectronic approach, on the other hand, uses stimulation of the vagus nerve to switch off the release of TNF. The route is believed to be indirect, with the activated vagus nerve communicating to nerves in the spleen, increasing their release of neurotransmitters. But does this mean that these autoimmune diseases could, at least in part, be down to a problem with the activity of the vagus nerve? “Some would argue that the vagus nerve impairments have been known for decades,” said Tracey.

Source: The Guardian September 08, 2017 11:28 UTC