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Development of Hybrid Electro-Neuro Model for Vagal Nerve Stimulation
Vagus nerve regulates breathing and heart rate as part of parasympathetic system and makes a
connection between internal organs and brain. We propose constructing the computational
model of vagus nerve in order to define the optimal strategy for vagus nerve stimulation.
**Background**
The vagus nerve is so named because it “wanders” like a vagabond and transmits information
to or from the surface of the brain to tissues and organs elsewhere in the body.
The vagus nerve represents the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system,
which oversees a vast array of crucial bodily functions, including control of mood, immune
response, digestion, breathing and heart rate. It establishes one of the connections between
the brain and the gastrointestinal tract and sends information about the state of the inner
organs to the brain.
Vagus nerve stimulation has been approved by the FDE for treating drug-resistant epilepsy and
depression. Yet, lot about its functional and topographical structure is unknown, which leads to
unknown beneficial and side effects of vagus stimulation.
**Tasks**
The vagus nerve consists of both the afferent and efferent fibers. One of the challenges in the
clinical application of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is the selection of fibers to be activated in
order to maximize the desired physiological effects of VNS, minimizing the side ones. Since our
previous studies on sensory nerve stimulation with amputees have shown that constructing
computational nerve model can help us defining the optimal electrode design and stimulation
paradigm, thus increasing efficacy of stimulation, we believe that constructing hybrid electro-
neuro model of vagus nerve will enable us to overcome many of the difficulties encountered
today in VNS.
The project will be organized in several tasks:
1. Using real histological data from pig’s vagus nerve, anatomical 3D nerve model has to be
constructed using SolidWorks (SolidWorks Corp.), or similar software tool.
2. Constructed model is imported in COMSOL (COMSOL Inc.), where electrical properties in
the model will be added. In this part of the project we are able to test different kind of
electrode design and current injected into the nerve model and see how electric field is
distributed across the nerve structure.
3. The result of electric field distribution will be processed by NEURON. Different nerve
fibers with unique spatial density in vagus nerve will be added to the model. This
software tool enables us to see which fibers will be recruited, based on the electric field.
This is one of the biggest advantages of the model, as for VNS it is very important to
have selective stimulation of fibers, in order to avoid side effects.
4. When the whole hybrid model is constructed (tasks 1, 2 and 3), tests for determining
selectivity and sensitivity for each electrode and stimulation paradigm will be
performed.
**References**
1. Raspopovic et al. Framework for the development of neuroprostheses: from basic
understanding by sciatic and median nerves models to bionic legs and hands.
Proceedings of the IEEE 105.1 (2017),34-49
2. Helmers, S. L., et al. "Application of a computational model of vagus nerve stimulation."
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica 126.5 (2012)
**Background**
The vagus nerve is so named because it “wanders” like a vagabond and transmits information to or from the surface of the brain to tissues and organs elsewhere in the body.
The vagus nerve represents the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system, which oversees a vast array of crucial bodily functions, including control of mood, immune response, digestion, breathing and heart rate. It establishes one of the connections between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract and sends information about the state of the inner organs to the brain.
Vagus nerve stimulation has been approved by the FDE for treating drug-resistant epilepsy and depression. Yet, lot about its functional and topographical structure is unknown, which leads to unknown beneficial and side effects of vagus stimulation.
**Tasks** The vagus nerve consists of both the afferent and efferent fibers. One of the challenges in the clinical application of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is the selection of fibers to be activated in order to maximize the desired physiological effects of VNS, minimizing the side ones. Since our previous studies on sensory nerve stimulation with amputees have shown that constructing computational nerve model can help us defining the optimal electrode design and stimulation paradigm, thus increasing efficacy of stimulation, we believe that constructing hybrid electro- neuro model of vagus nerve will enable us to overcome many of the difficulties encountered today in VNS.
The project will be organized in several tasks:
1. Using real histological data from pig’s vagus nerve, anatomical 3D nerve model has to be constructed using SolidWorks (SolidWorks Corp.), or similar software tool.
2. Constructed model is imported in COMSOL (COMSOL Inc.), where electrical properties in the model will be added. In this part of the project we are able to test different kind of electrode design and current injected into the nerve model and see how electric field is distributed across the nerve structure.
3. The result of electric field distribution will be processed by NEURON. Different nerve fibers with unique spatial density in vagus nerve will be added to the model. This software tool enables us to see which fibers will be recruited, based on the electric field. This is one of the biggest advantages of the model, as for VNS it is very important to have selective stimulation of fibers, in order to avoid side effects.
4. When the whole hybrid model is constructed (tasks 1, 2 and 3), tests for determining selectivity and sensitivity for each electrode and stimulation paradigm will be performed.
**References** 1. Raspopovic et al. Framework for the development of neuroprostheses: from basic understanding by sciatic and median nerves models to bionic legs and hands. Proceedings of the IEEE 105.1 (2017),34-49 2. Helmers, S. L., et al. "Application of a computational model of vagus nerve stimulation." Acta Neurologica Scandinavica 126.5 (2012)
The goal of our project is to construct a mechanical and electrical model of vagus nerve, based
on the animal data. It will be used for defining a new neural interface - optimal electrode design
and stimulation paradigm that produces maximal selectivity and sensitivity for vagus nerve
stimulation, which will then be manufactured and tested.
A preliminary scheduling of the work:
- Month 1&2: Segmentation of sensory nerve geometries and construction of 3D model in
SolidWorks
- Month 3: Importing model in COMSOL and adding electrical properties
- Month 4: Implementation of specific fiber types in NEURON
- Month 5&6: Testing different types of electrodes and stimulation patterns, selectivity and
sensitivity analysis, discussion of analysis and results, thesis finalization
The goal of our project is to construct a mechanical and electrical model of vagus nerve, based on the animal data. It will be used for defining a new neural interface - optimal electrode design and stimulation paradigm that produces maximal selectivity and sensitivity for vagus nerve stimulation, which will then be manufactured and tested. A preliminary scheduling of the work: - Month 1&2: Segmentation of sensory nerve geometries and construction of 3D model in SolidWorks - Month 3: Importing model in COMSOL and adding electrical properties - Month 4: Implementation of specific fiber types in NEURON - Month 5&6: Testing different types of electrodes and stimulation patterns, selectivity and sensitivity analysis, discussion of analysis and results, thesis finalization
Dr. Stanisa Raspopovic, Assistant Professor Neuroengineering laboratory, Head ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Email: nesta.fale@gmail.com
Natalija Katic, PhD student at University of Belgrade, External member of the Neuroengineering Laboratory, E-mail: natnatkatic@gmail.com
Dr. Stanisa Raspopovic, Assistant Professor Neuroengineering laboratory, Head ETH Zurich, Switzerland Email: nesta.fale@gmail.com
Natalija Katic, PhD student at University of Belgrade, External member of the Neuroengineering Laboratory, E-mail: natnatkatic@gmail.com