The vagus nerve and its brainstem centres mediate reflexes that are key determinants of homeostasis and health. Physiopathological adaptations involve cellular mechanisms of neuroplasticity responding to cues from environment. Among these, epigenetic processes (DNA methylation, histone modifications, small noncoding RNAs) have emerging importance in cancer, sepsis, autoimmune diseases, addiction, neurodegenerative diseases and even in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diseases. Respective therapies in clinics were potentialized by tuning vagal circuits originating in the brainstem, the key neural node of homeostasis, via noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS). The brainstem areas involved in vagal regulation are extensively prone to epigenetic modulations by diverse neuro-endocrine stimuli. Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a noninvasive physiological read-out of vagal efferent function, is easily accessible and is proven as a polyvalent prognostic tool and reliable health indicator. Thus, currently available data prompt exploration of epigenetic influences on VNS drive supporting homeostasis to achieve a one-in-all solution for health maintain.
This Research Topic will first update the key role of the brainstem vagal centers in global homeostasis and health, and its position as bidirectional interface for neuro-immune interactions (bottom-up and top-down). Special emphasis will be given on the gut-brain axis and reciprocal microbiota influences on brain functions via the vagus nerve. The efferent parasympathetic tone as a reliable health index and potent immune regulator will be reviewed along with heart rate variability (HRV) as its accessible readout in human clinics. The regulatory impacts of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on vagal tone and HRV will be presented from animal models and clinical studies. This collection will address the mechanisms mediating adaptations of homeostatic reflexes and HRV inside the vagal complex of brainstem: neurochemical plasticity, neural stem cells and adult neurogenesis, neuroinflammation, epigenetics. In this light, a research roadmap will be drawn for assessing VNS as a putative efficient preventive therapy for extending health span,
This Research Topic welcomes review papers and original research on the following themes:
1. Epigenetic and plasticity processes in the vagal complex of mammalian brain
2. Control of inflammation and neuroinflammation by the vagal system
3. Gene expression modifications induced by VNS (invasive or noninvasively) in clinical studies or in animal models
4. Differential effects of electrical parameters of VNS on epigenetic modifications
5. Correlations between HRV changes and epigenetic modifications
Topic Editor Stephen Porges is the owner of Polyvagal Science, LLC and is the founding stockholder of NS Intelligence, Ltd. He has stock options in Unyte Health, Inc and holds shares in Evren Technologies, Inc. He holds several patents related to monitoring and stimulating autonomic nervous system function. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.
The vagus nerve and its brainstem centres mediate reflexes that are key determinants of homeostasis and health. Physiopathological adaptations involve cellular mechanisms of neuroplasticity responding to cues from environment. Among these, epigenetic processes (DNA methylation, histone modifications, small noncoding RNAs) have emerging importance in cancer, sepsis, autoimmune diseases, addiction, neurodegenerative diseases and even in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diseases. Respective therapies in clinics were potentialized by tuning vagal circuits originating in the brainstem, the key neural node of homeostasis, via noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS). The brainstem areas involved in vagal regulation are extensively prone to epigenetic modulations by diverse neuro-endocrine stimuli. Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a noninvasive physiological read-out of vagal efferent function, is easily accessible and is proven as a polyvalent prognostic tool and reliable health indicator. Thus, currently available data prompt exploration of epigenetic influences on VNS drive supporting homeostasis to achieve a one-in-all solution for health maintain.
This Research Topic will first update the key role of the brainstem vagal centers in global homeostasis and health, and its position as bidirectional interface for neuro-immune interactions (bottom-up and top-down). Special emphasis will be given on the gut-brain axis and reciprocal microbiota influences on brain functions via the vagus nerve. The efferent parasympathetic tone as a reliable health index and potent immune regulator will be reviewed along with heart rate variability (HRV) as its accessible readout in human clinics. The regulatory impacts of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on vagal tone and HRV will be presented from animal models and clinical studies. This collection will address the mechanisms mediating adaptations of homeostatic reflexes and HRV inside the vagal complex of brainstem: neurochemical plasticity, neural stem cells and adult neurogenesis, neuroinflammation, epigenetics. In this light, a research roadmap will be drawn for assessing VNS as a putative efficient preventive therapy for extending health span,
This Research Topic welcomes review papers and original research on the following themes:
1. Epigenetic and plasticity processes in the vagal complex of mammalian brain
2. Control of inflammation and neuroinflammation by the vagal system
3. Gene expression modifications induced by VNS (invasive or noninvasively) in clinical studies or in animal models
4. Differential effects of electrical parameters of VNS on epigenetic modifications
5. Correlations between HRV changes and epigenetic modifications
Topic Editor Stephen Porges is the owner of Polyvagal Science, LLC and is the founding stockholder of NS Intelligence, Ltd. He has stock options in Unyte Health, Inc and holds shares in Evren Technologies, Inc. He holds several patents related to monitoring and stimulating autonomic nervous system function. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.