Study: Stimulation of vagus nerve can improve rheumatoid arthritis

Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve can reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inhibit cytokine production, according to a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Lead author Peter Paul Tak, MD, PhD, of the Division of Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology of the Academic Medical Center at the University of Amsterdam, studied 17 patients who had a bioelectric device implanted on their vagus nerve. The device was activated and deactivated on a set schedule for 84 days.

“We have previously shown that targeting the inflammatory reflex may reduce inflammation in animal models and in vitro models of RA,” Tak said in a statement. “The direct correlation between vagus nerve stimulation and the suppression of several key cytokines like TNF (tumor necrosis factor) as well as reduced RA signs and symptoms demonstrates proof of mechanism, which might be relevant for other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases as well.”

Several patients were said to have shown “significant improvements,” with no serious side effects apparent from the stimulation.

“Our findings suggest a new approach to fighting diseases with bioelectronic medicines, which use electrical pulses to treat diseases currently treated with potent and relatively expensive drugs,” said Anthony Arnold, CEO of SetPoint Medical.  “These results support our ongoing development of bioelectronic medicines designed to improve the lives of people suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases and give healthcare providers new and potentially safer treatment alternatives at a much lower total cost for the healthcare system.”

While this study focused on RA patients, Tak and co-authors said their findings suggest electrical stimulation could have a positive impact on other inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn’s, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.