Vagus nerve infection hypothesis: Difference between revisions

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The '''vagus nerve hypothesis''' 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 Van ElZakker]], a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard Medical School, published the hypothesis.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23790471 Chronic fatigue syndrome from vagus nerve infection: a psychoneuroimmunological hypothesis - PubMed]</ref><ref>[http://www.pdf-archive.com/2013/06/23/vanelzakker-vnih-cfs-in-press/vanelzakker-vnih-cfs-in-press.pdf Chronic fatigue syndrome from vagus nerve infection: A psychoneuroimmunological hypothesis PDF - Elsevier - By: Michael B. VanElzakker]</ref>
In 2013, [[Michael Van ElZakker]], 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]].


Van Elzakker 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>[http://thelowhistaminechef.com/harvard-neuroscientist-dr-michael-van-elzakker-chronic-fatigue-vagus-nerve-link The Low Histamine Chef - Harvard neuroscientist Dr. Michael VanElzakker: chronic fatigue vagus nerve link]</ref>
Van ElZakker 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"/>


==Notable studies==
==Notable studies==
*2016, [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213158216300584 Autonomic correlations with MRI are abnormal in the brainstem vasomotor centre in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome]
*2016: [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213158216300584 Autonomic correlations with MRI are abnormal in the brainstem vasomotor centre in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome]<ref name="Barnden2016"/>


==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 Van ElZakker 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."]
 


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Vagus nerve stimulation]]
*[[Vagus nerve stimulation]]
*Michael Van ElZakker quotes Louis Pasteur in reference to Vagus nerve hypothesis: [https://twitter.com/MBVanElzakker/status/453540676635201536 "The germ is nothing; the terrain is everything."]


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references>
 
<ref name="Barnden2016">{{citation
| last1  = Barnden          | first1 = LR                | authorlink1 = Leighton Barnden
| last2  = Kwiatek          | first2 = R                  | authorlink2 = Richard Kwiatek
| last3  = Crouch          | first3 = B                  | authorlink3 = Benjamin Crouch
| last4  = Burnet          | first4 = R                  | authorlink4 = Richard Burnet
| last5  = Del Fante        | first5 = P                  | authorlink5 = Peter Del Fante
| title  = Autonomic correlations with MRI are abnormal in the brainstem vasomotor centre in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
| journal = NeuroImage: Clinical| volume = 11 | page = 530-537
| date    = 2016
| doi    = 10.1016/j.nicl.2016.03.017
| url    = http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213158216300584
}}</ref>
 
<ref name="VanElZakker2013">{{citation
| last1  = Van ElZakker    | first1 = MB                | authorlink1 = Michael Van ElZakker
| title  = Chronic fatigue syndrome from vagus nerve infection: a psychoneuroimmunological hypothesis
| journal = Medical Hypotheses | volume = 81 | issue = 3 | page = 414-423
| date    = Sep 2013
| pmid    = 23790471        | doi = 10.1016/j.mehy.2013.05.034
| url    = http://www.pdf-archive.com/2013/06/23/vanelzakker-vnih-cfs-in-press/vanelzakker-vnih-cfs-in-press.pdf
}}</ref>
 
<ref name="lowhistchef-vnih">{{citation
| last1  = Ykelenstam      | first1 = Yasmina            | authorlink1 = Yasmina Ykelenstam
| last2  = Van ElZakker    | first2 = MB                | authorlink2 = Michael Van ElZakker
| title  = Harvard Neuroscientist Dr. Michael Van ElZakker: Chronic Fatigue Vagus Nerve Link
| type    = interview
| journal = The Low Histamine Chef
| date    = 8 Dec 2015
| url    = http://thelowhistaminechef.com/harvard-neuroscientist-dr-michael-van-elzakker-chronic-fatigue-vagus-nerve-link
}}</ref>
 


[[Category:Medical hypotheses]]
[[Category:Medical hypotheses]]

Revision as of 15:37, April 11, 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 Van ElZakker, a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard Medical School, published the hypothesis.[1]

The vagus nerve is responsible for the sickness response.

Van ElZakker 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]

Notable studies

Learn more


See also

References

<references>

[3]

[1]

[2]