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

Senior Science Writer

As senior science writer, Ruairi pens and edits scientific news, articles and features, with a focus on the complexities and curiosities of the brain and emerging informatics technologies. Ruairi also drives Technology Networks' search engine optimization (SEO) and editorial AI strategy and created the site’s podcast, Opinionated Science, in 2020. Ruairi has a Master’s degree in Clinical Neurosciences from the University of Cambridge.