title: The influence of vagus nerve stimulation on memory.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been shown to improve memory.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to learn at which stage of memory formation this influence occurs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten subjects who had been implanted with vagus nerve stimulators for the treatment of intractable seizures performed tasks that assessed learning and retention (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test) during actual and sham VNS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that VNS had no effect on learning but enhanced consolidation, which led to improved retention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The means by which VNS improves retention is probably related to the increased activity in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius and the locus coeruleus-central adrenergic system that activates the amygdala and increases long-term potentiation in the hippocampus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0236, USA. ghacig@neurology.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Georges A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Ghacibeh
authors.forename: Joel I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Shenker
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shenal
authors.forename: Basim M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Uthman
authors.forename: Kenneth M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Heilman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D017552:Solitary Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology*