(transcutaneous auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation)
Co-morbid depression is common in people with heart failure (HF) and leads to worse health outcomes. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation, as indexed by reduced heart rate variability (HRV), is seen in depression and HF. We hypothesise that ANS dysregulation is mechanistically involved in depression in HF patients, explaining the poor prognosis. Implanted vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) directly targets the ANS. It is used clinically in depression and experimentally in HF, consistently improving quality of life (QoL). Transauricular VNS (taVNS) is a non-invasive alternative. It holds promise but optimal stimulation parameters are not known. Our collaboration has demonstrated the feasibility of open-loop taVNS and identified parameter- specific effects on the HRV of healthy volunteers. The respiratory cycle is relevant for the effects of taVNS on ANS modulation. We propose a proof-of-concept study to develop lab-based closed- loop taVNS techniques, gated to trigger stimulation at specific points in the respiratory cycle of healthy volunteers, to determine ANS impact on measures of electroencephalography (EEG), HRV, blood pressure and continuous performance tests. In parallel we are studying ANS function, mood, fatigue and QoL in people with depression and HF. Non-invasive ANS modulation is a potential novel therapeutic strategy targeting mood, fatigue and QoL in HF.
Dr Jannetta Steyn, Newcastle University (jannetta.steyn@newcastle.ac.uk)
Dr Frances Turner, Newcastle University (frances.hutchings@newcastle.ac.uk)
Dr. Tiago da Silva Costa, Newcastle University (tiago.da-silva-costa@newcastle.ac.uk)
Frances & Jannetta
RSE Team
Newcastle University
(frances.hutchings@newcastle.ac.uk)
(jannetta.steyn@newcastle.ac.uk)
DS8 Digitimer National Instruments USB-6229
Testing: Oscillascope Signal Generator
Using code from the CCS-Lab DS8R_python repository (https://github.com/CCS-Lab/DS8R\_python)
Install the DS8R package:
# Install from GitHub
pip install -e git+https://github.com/CCS-Lab/DS8R_python#egg=ds8rHow to run the application on your local system.
How to run tests on your local system.
Deploying to a production style setup but on the local system. Examples of this would include venv, anaconda, Docker or minikube.
Deploying to the production system. Examples of this would include cloud, HPC or virtual machine.
Any links to production environment, video demos and screenshots.
Protected and can only be pushed to via pull requests. Should be considered stable and a representation of production code.
Should be considered fragile, code should compile and run but features may be prone to errors.
A branch per feature being worked on.
https://nvie.com/posts/a-successful-git-branching-model/
Please cite the associated papers for this work if you use this code:
@article{xxx2023paper,
title={Title},
author={Author},
journal={arXiv},
year={2023}
}This work was funded by a grant from the UK Research Councils, EPSRC grant ref. EP/L012345/1, “Example project title, please update”.