Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation Improved Parkinson Disease Symptoms  

A peer-reviewed study published in NPJ Parkinson’s Disease provides preliminary evidence that supports the efficacy and safety of noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) (gammaCore; ElectroCore, Rockaway, NJ) for treatment of motor and nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD).

In a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover study, significant increases in gait velocity (P=.003) and step length (P=.007), and a reduction in stance time (P=.001), were seen in people with PD (treated with nVNS compared with sham stimulation. These results suggest that treatment allowed individuals with PD not only to walk more quickly but also to do so with improved rhythmicity. Other gait parameters showed significant improvement from baseline after nVNS treatment, suggesting that nVNS may result in an overall improvement in the quality of gait in PD patients. 

“We are pleased to have successfully completed the first randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial to demonstrate the efficacy of cervical nVNS as an adjunctive therapy in PD,” said Hrishikesh Kumar, MD, director of research and vice chairman, Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata, India. “Improvements in motor function and gait after 1 month of treatment with nVNS were significant. Our results clearly support additional work to further understand the potential for nVNS in this indication.”

In a subgroup of participants, levels of selected neurotrophins, markers of inflammation, and oxidative stress were measured in blood before and after nVNS. Treatment with nVNS significantly reduced TNF-α levels (P <.05) and increased concentrations of reduced glutathione (P<.05), which are markers of inflammation. Brain-derived neurotrophic growth factors, which are typically reduced in PD, were significantly increased by nVNS (P <.05), suggesting a possible disease-modifying effect. 
nVNS is a hand-held therapy can be self-administered as needed. When placed over the vagus nerve, the therapy stimulates the nerve’s afferent fibers.