About this Research Topic

Background

Neuromodulation with electrical nerve stimulation has come progressively into focus as a treatment option for various diseases that have systemic effects on the human body, affecting multiple immunological, physiological, psychometric, and biochemical functions. In particular, brain chemistry, nociceptive processing, inflammation, and autonomic function are modulated by neurostimulation for different therapeutic purposes.

Covid-19 is a pandemic disease which may lead to severe respiratory distress, over-inflammation, cardiovascular damage, and an imbalance of the autonomic function, involving acute and chronic damage. Covid-19 affects several organs and systems with different temporalities, suggesting the use of electrical neuromodulatory approaches - with their regulatory systemic effects - as a prospective treatment option.

The aim of this Research Topic is to provide a better understanding of the use of neuromodulatory approaches as a potential treatment option for Covid-19 originated diseases, which currently pose an unprecedented challenge to our society. The topic is open for a transdisciplinary exchange from basic science to engineering issues and to clinical applications.

Contributions are welcome that include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

Basic science
- pathophysiology mechanisms of Covid-19 as targets for neuromodulation therapy
- experimental models of Covid-19 for neuromodulation therapy
- transition of neuromodulation models from animals to humans

Engineering
- neuromodulation devices in Covid-19, such as (vagus, trigeminal) nerve stimulation (auricular, cervical)
- stimulation protocols in Covid-19
- applicability and operability of neurostimulation devices for infectious diseases

Clinics
- neuromodulation to prevent progression of Covid-19 in ambulatory settings, to treat moderate to severe Covid-19 in hospital, and to address sequalae of Covid-19, including post Covid-19 dysautonomia and other Covid-19 related diseases
- rationale of neuromodulation in vulnerable groups such as children
- physiological, biochemical, psychological processes triggered by neuromodulation in Covid-19
- off-label study of neurostimulation in Covid-19
- side and long-term effects of neurostimulation in Covid-19

Original research papers, clinical studies, reviews, hypotheses papers as well as single-case reports (if significant in opening new avenues) are invited


Topic Editor Christopher Czura holds equity in Convergent Medical Technologies, Inc., and has received financial support from Spark Biomedical and electroCore. Topic Editor Marat Fudim received financial support from National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) (K23HL151744), the American Heart Association (20IPA35310955), Mario Family Award, Duke Chair’s Award, Translating Duke Health Award, Bayer, Bodyport, BTG Specialty Pharmaceuticals, AxonTherapies, Bodyport, Boston Scientific, CVRx, Daxor, Edwards LifeSciences, Fire1, Inovise, NXT Biomedical, Viscardia and Zoll. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.

Keywords: Neuromodulation, Covid-19, Vagus Nerve, inflammation, autonomic function, dysautonomia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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