Talk:Vagus nerve

The Pulse of Inflammation: Heart Rate Variability, the Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway, and Implications for Therapy https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4527046/ --JenB (talk) 01:36, 24 April 2018 (PDT)

This can use some clarification. It's both pro and anti-inflammatory? How does that homeostasis work? --JenB (talk) 01:36, 24 April 2018 (PDT)

For example, when the vagus nerve detects pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha or interleukin 1-beta, chemoreceptors in the afferent vagus nerve send a signal into the brainstem that triggers both glial cell activation within the central nervous system as well as the general innate immune response, sometimes called the sickness response.[4] The efferent vagus nerve is responsible for an anti-inflammatory pathway. The vagus nerve speaks directly to the immune system via the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

Vagus is thus important for maintaining homeostasis and preventing an overreactive immune response that can cause major injury or death. For example, vagus nerve stimulation is being used experimentally as an adjunct treatment for sepsis, which can cause death via a massive cytokine storm (e.g. Wang et al 2016 Int Rev Immunol).

heart rate variability (HRV) - A measurement of the variability of the heart rate over time. When the heart rate is consistent, there will be a low heart rate variability. When the heart rate is constantly changing, there will be a high heart rate variability. Heart rate variability is often used by ME/CFS patients to monitor their autonomic nervous system, as high heart rate variability is associated with the sympathetic nervous system and low heart rate variability is associated with the parasympathetic nervous system.

cholinergic Involving the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Cholinergic side effects include diarrhea, blurred vision, decreased intraocular pressure, contricted pupil in the eyes, sweating, increased saliva and mucus on the lungs, bronchial constriction, increased gastrointestinal tone, decreased blood pressure, slow heart rate, and contraction of bladder detrusor muscle. muscle spasms/cramps, low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, nausea and vomiting, increased saliva and sweating, shortness of breath, and urinating more often.

homeostasis the maintenance of stable internal biological conditions (e.g. body temperature) in a changable environmen

β β / Β. Greek letter beta (a symbol used in science), equivalent to "b".

cytokine storm an uncontrolled, sometimes life-threatening, excessive immune response, involving very high levels of proinflammatory cytokines and widespread tissue damage.