About this Research Topic

Background

The vagus nerve is the longest nerve among the 12 cranial nerves. Its length has direct relationship with its relevance, since it help to link the brain with the heart, lung, stomach and intestine. Therefore, it is clear its involvement with essential body functions, including heart rate, breathing, digestion, coughing, vomiting and sneezing.

Moreover, other roles has been credited to the vagus nerve, including influence on social communication. There is evidence indicating association between vagal function with a variety of psychological, behavioral variables and a large number of health outcomes and diseases.

Previously, it was proposed that vagal tone, measured by respiratory sinus arrhythmia, could provide information regarding stress susceptibility. In this sense, the social communication system depends on myelinated vagus nerve. It serves to temporary calm behavioral states that inhibit sympathetic influences to the heart.

Among psychological variables, not only social engagement has been linked to the vagus nerve activity. Many studies reported the involvement of vagus nerve with anxiety, depression, Alzheimer disease and schizophrenia.

For example, vagus nerve stimulation has received much attention to treat disorders related to social engagement, including autism and depression. This procedure has been shown to improve mood in epilepsy patients.

In this circumstance, this Research Topic intends to call experts in the areas of neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, endocrinology, medicine and psychology to provide an overview and analysis of scientifically sound evidence that evaluates the involvement of the vagus nerve in social communication based on clinical and basic studies.

Article types and fees

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• Case Report
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• Editorial
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• ... View all formats

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Autonomic nervous system, Communication, Behavior, Brainstem, Anxiety, Depression, Health, Microbiome, Vagus nerve, Parasympathetic

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