JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments
Neuroscience
0 views • 4:42 min • August 7th, 2025
Begin with a human participant seated in a comfortable position.
On the left ear, identify the tragus, a small, rounded structure located at the entrance of the outer ear canal.
Behind the tragus lies the anterior wall of the outer ear canal, which is innervated by the auricular branch of the vagus nerve or ABVN.
The wall is a target site for transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation, or taVNS, a noninvasive approach for modulating brain function.
Clean the ear and apply conductive gel to the electrodes.
Position the positive electrode on the target site and the negative electrode over the tragus.
Deliver the lowest stimulation intensity that elicits a sensation at the target site, known as the perceptual threshold.
Then, apply an intensity higher than the threshold to stimulate the ABVN.
The resulting nerve impulse travels to the brainstem and is relayed to various brain regions to influence their activity.
Begin by seating the participant in a relaxed position, with the legs elevated, and the head supported. Inspect the left ear of the participant, confirming that no jewelry is attached, that all makeup and lotion are removed, and that there are no skin-related contraindications a
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