Vagus nerve infection hypothesis: Difference between revisions
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The '''Vagus Nerve Infection Hypothesis''' (VNIH) proposes that the symptoms of [[Chronic Fatigue Syndrome]] are caused by an infection of the [[vagus nerve]]. | The '''Vagus Nerve Infection Hypothesis''' (VNIH) proposes that the symptoms of [[Chronic Fatigue Syndrome]] are caused by an infection of the [[vagus nerve]]. | ||
In 2013, [[Michael | In 2013, [[Michael VanElzakker]], a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard Medical School, published the hypothesis.<ref name="VanElZakker2013"/> | ||
The vagus nerve is responsible for the [[sickness response]]. | The vagus nerve is responsible for the [[sickness response]]. | ||
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==Theory== | ==Theory== | ||
VanElzakker believes that any infectious agent with an affinity for nerve tissues can cause a vagus nerve infection, including [[HHV-6]], [[Epstein-Barr virus]], [[Varicella zoster virus]], [[chicken pox]], certain kinds of [[enterovirus]]es and even [[Borrelia]], the bacterium that causes [[Lyme disease]]. He thinks this could explain why no single infective agent has been isolated as the cause of [[CFS]], even though all of these agents have been associated with disease.<ref name="lowhistchef-vnih"/> | |||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
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==Learn more== | ==Learn more== | ||
*2016: [https://cfsremission.wordpress.com/2016/03/13/vagus-nerve-infection-hypothesis/ Vagus Nerve Infection Hypothesis and the Driscoll Theory] | *2016: [https://cfsremission.wordpress.com/2016/03/13/vagus-nerve-infection-hypothesis/ Vagus Nerve Infection Hypothesis and the Driscoll Theory] | ||
*Michael | *Michael VanElzakker quotes Louis Pasteur in reference to the Vagus Nerve Infection Hypothesis: [https://twitter.com/MBVanElzakker/status/453540676635201536 "The germ is nothing; the terrain is everything."] | ||
Revision as of 19:04, June 27, 2016
The Vagus Nerve Infection Hypothesis (VNIH) proposes that the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are caused by an infection of the vagus nerve.
In 2013, Michael VanElzakker, a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard Medical School, published the hypothesis.[1]
The vagus nerve is responsible for the sickness response.
Theory
VanElzakker believes that any infectious agent with an affinity for nerve tissues can cause a vagus nerve infection, including HHV-6, Epstein-Barr virus, Varicella zoster virus, chicken pox, certain kinds of enteroviruses and even Borrelia, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. He thinks this could explain why no single infective agent has been isolated as the cause of CFS, even though all of these agents have been associated with disease.[2]
Treatment
Evidence
Notable studies
- 2016: Autonomic correlations with MRI are abnormal in the brainstem vasomotor centre in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome[3]
Learn more
- 2016: Vagus Nerve Infection Hypothesis and the Driscoll Theory
- Michael VanElzakker quotes Louis Pasteur in reference to the Vagus Nerve Infection Hypothesis: "The germ is nothing; the terrain is everything."
See also
References
<references>
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Van ElZakker, MB (September 2013), "Chronic fatigue syndrome from vagus nerve infection: a psychoneuroimmunological hypothesis" (PDF), Medical Hypotheses, 81 (3): 414-423, doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2013.05.034, PMID 23790471
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ykelenstam, Yasmina; Van ElZakker, MB (December 8, 2015), "Harvard Neuroscientist Dr. Michael Van ElZakker: Chronic Fatigue Vagus Nerve Link", The Low Histamine Chef (interview)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Barnden, LR; Kwiatek, R; Crouch, B; Burnet, R; Del Fante, P (2016), "Autonomic correlations with MRI are abnormal in the brainstem vasomotor centre in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome", NeuroImage: Clinical, 11: 530-537, doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2016.03.017
