Towards enhanced functionality of vagus neuroprostheses through in silico optimized stimulation

Federico Ciotti, Robert John, Natalija Katic Secerovic, Noemi Gozzi, Andrea Cimolato, Naveen Jayaprakash, Weiguo Song, Viktor Toth, Theodoros Zanos, Stavros Zanos and Stanisa Raspopovic ()
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Federico Ciotti: ETH Zürich
Robert John: ETH Zürich
Natalija Katic Secerovic: ETH Zürich
Noemi Gozzi: ETH Zürich
Andrea Cimolato: ETH Zürich
Naveen Jayaprakash: Northwell Health
Weiguo Song: Northwell Health
Viktor Toth: Northwell Health
Theodoros Zanos: Northwell Health
Stavros Zanos: Northwell Health
Stanisa Raspopovic: ETH Zürich

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-20

Abstract: Abstract Bioelectronic therapies modulating the vagus nerve are promising for cardiovascular, inflammatory, and mental disorders. Clinical applications are however limited by side-effects such as breathing obstruction and headache caused by non-specific stimulation. To design selective and functional stimulation, we engineered VaStim, a realistic and efficient in-silico model. We developed a protocol to personalize VaStim in-vivo using simple muscle responses, successfully reproducing experimental observations, by combining models with trials conducted on five pigs. Through optimized algorithms, VaStim simulated the complete fiber population in minutes, including often omitted unmyelinated fibers which constitute 80% of the nerve. The model suggested that all Aα-fibers across the nerve affect laryngeal muscle, while heart rate changes were caused by B-efferents in specific fascicles. It predicted that tripolar paradigms could reduce laryngeal activity by 70% compared to typically used protocols. VaStim may serve as a model for developing neuromodulation therapies by maximizing efficacy and specificity, reducing animal experimentation.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50523-6

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