The Laterality of the Ear: How Stimulating the Left Vagus Nerve Modulates Inflammation in Chronic Pain
A randomized, sham-controlled trial investigated the biological effects of non-invasive auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS) in women with fibromyalgia, focusing on whether the side of stimulation (left vs. right ear) matters. While the primary outcome of pain intensity did not differ significantly from sham treatment, left-sided stimulation (aVNS-L) produced distinct immunomodulatory effects. Specifically, it reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) and increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) and the neuroplasticity marker brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), suggesting a targeted biological impact despite limited immediate pain relief.
Why it might matter to you: This research highlights a precise, non-pharmacological approach to modulating systemic inflammation, a key pathophysiological driver in many hematologic and autoimmune conditions. For a hematologist, understanding how targeted neuromodulation can shift cytokine profiles offers a novel perspective on managing inflammation-associated complications in disorders like immune thrombocytopenia or certain myeloproliferative neoplasms. It underscores the potential for adjunctive therapies that address the inflammatory microenvironment, which is central to disease progression and symptom burden in hematology.
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