New MDD Treatment using Non-Invasive tVNS

Photo: Scott Ingram/Flickr

• MDD stands for 'Major Depressive Disorder'
• tVNS stands for 'Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation'
• Researchers used ear electrodes to stimulate vagus nerve, reducing mild depression symptoms
• This reduction in symptoms increased functional connectivity between:
  • Default mode network
  • Precuneus
  • Orbital prefrontal cortex
• Study involved 49 MDD patients
  • Each received either a tVNS or an Sham (placebo) tVNS
• Published in Biological Psychiatry