Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Tool to Induce Plasticity in Pathways Relevant for Extinction Learning

Jessica E. Childs; Amanda C. Alvarez-Dieppa; Christa K. McIntyre; Sven Kroener

doi:10.3791/53032

Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Tool to Induce Plasticity in Pathways Relevant for Extinction Learning

JoVE Journal
Behavior

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JoVE Journal Behavior

Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Tool to Induce Plasticity in Pathways Relevant for Extinction Learning

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11:02 min

August 21, 2015

DOI: 10.3791/53032-v

Jessica E. Childs¹, Amanda C. Alvarez-Dieppa¹, Christa K. McIntyre¹, Sven Kroener¹

¹School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences,The University of Texas at Dallas

Overview

This protocol outlines the use of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) to enhance the extinction of conditioned fear. By targeting synaptic plasticity in the forebrain, VNS modifies behavioral responses associated with fear.

Key Study Components

Area of Science

Neuroscience
Behavioral Psychology
Neurophysiology

Background

VNS is a technique used to stimulate the vagus nerve.
It has potential applications in modifying fear responses.
The method allows for precise timing of neurotransmitter release.
Existing methods like drug treatments lack this specificity.

Purpose of Study

To facilitate the extinction of conditioned fear.
To assess the effectiveness of VNS in enhancing extinction learning.
To explore the underlying mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in extinction networks.

Methods Used

Construction of electrodes for vagus nerve stimulation.
Implantation of electrodes around the mid cervical section of the vagus nerve.
Auditory fear conditioning and extinction training with VNS or sham stimulation.
Testing the expression of conditioned fear and measuring the freezing response.

Main Results

VNS enhances the extinction of conditioned fear responses.
Induces plasticity in extinction networks.
Allows for precise regulation of treatment timing.
Demonstrates advantages over systemic drug treatments.

Conclusions

VNS is an effective method for facilitating fear extinction.
It offers a targeted approach to modify behavior through synaptic plasticity.
This technique could advance therapeutic strategies for anxiety disorders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is vagus nerve stimulation?

Vagus nerve stimulation is a technique that involves delivering electrical impulses to the vagus nerve to influence brain activity and behavior.

How does VNS affect fear responses?

VNS enhances the extinction of conditioned fear by inducing synaptic plasticity in the brain's extinction networks.

What are the advantages of VNS over drug treatments?

VNS allows for precise timing of neurotransmitter release, which can be paired with ongoing behavior, unlike systemic drug treatments.

What is the main goal of the study?

The main goal is to facilitate the extinction of conditioned fear through vagus nerve stimulation.

What methods are used in this protocol?

The protocol includes electrode construction, implantation, auditory fear conditioning, and testing of conditioned fear responses.

What are the implications of this research?

This research may lead to improved therapeutic strategies for treating anxiety disorders by enhancing fear extinction learning.

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has emerged as a tool to induce targeted synaptic plasticity in the forebrain to modify a range of behaviors. This protocol describes how to implement VNS to facilitate the consolidation of fear extinction memory.

The overall goal of this procedure is to facilitate extinction of conditioned fear by stimulation of the vagus nerve. This is accomplished by first constructing electrodes for the delivery of current to the vagus nerve. The next steps are to implant these electrodes around the mid cervical section of the vagus nerve, along with a head cap after a recovery period, animals next undergo auditory fear conditioning and extinction training with vagus nerve or sham stimulation.

The final step is to test the expression of conditioned fear and to assess the reduction in the condition freezing response. Ultimately, vagus nerve stimulation is used to enhance extinction learning by inducing plasticity in extinction networks. The main advantage of this technique over existing methods like systemic drug treatment, is the ability to precisely regulate the timing of the treatment in order to achieve network specific release of neurotransmitters that can be paired with ongoing behavior.

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