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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Stuart BakerORCiD, Professor Mark BakerORCiD
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Copyright © 2024 Mondal, Choudhury, Banerjee, Roy, Chatterjee, Basu, Singh, Halder, Shubham, Baker, Baker and Kumar.Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) is an established neurostimulation therapy used in the treatment of epilepsy, migraine and cluster headache. In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial we explored the role of nVNS in the treatment of gait and other motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. In a subgroup of patients, we measured selected neurotrophins, inflammatory markers and markers of oxidative stress in serum. Thirty-three PD patients with freezing of gait (FOG) were randomized to either active nVNS or sham nVNS. After baseline assessments, patients were instructed to deliver six 2 min stimulations (12 min/day) of the active nVNS/sham nVNS device for 1 month at home. Patients were then re-assessed. After a one-month washout period, they were allocated to the alternate treatment arm and the same process was followed. Significant improvements in key gait parameters (speed, stance time and step length) were observed with active nVNS. While serum tumor necrosis factor- α decreased, glutathione and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) after active nVNS treatment. Here we present the first evidence of the efficacy and safety of nVNS in the treatment of gait in PD patients, and propose that nVNS can be used as an adjunctive therapy in the management of PD patients, especially those suffering from FOG. Clinical trial registration: identifier ISRCTN14797144.
Author(s): Mondal B, Choudhury S, Banerjee R, Roy A, Chatterjee K, Basu P, Singh R, Halder S, Shubham S, Baker SN, Baker MR, Kumar H
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
Year: 2024
Volume: 15
Online publication date: 07/02/2024
Acceptance date: 20/12/2023
Date deposited: 05/03/2024
ISSN (electronic): 1663-4365
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
URL: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2023.1331575
DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1331575
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