title: The chemical neuroanatomy of vagus nerve stimulation.
abstract: In this short overview a reappraisal of the anatomical connections of vagal afferents is reported. The manuscript moves from classic neuroanatomy to review details of vagus nerve anatomy which are now becoming more and more relevant for clinical outcomes (i.e. the therapeutic use of vagus nerve stimulation). In drawing such an updated odology of central vagal connections the anatomical basis subserving the neurochemical effects of vagal stimulation are addressed. In detail, apart from the thalamic projection of central vagal afferents, the monoaminergic systems appear to play a pivotal role. Stemming from the chemical neuroanatomy of monoamines such as serotonin and norepinephrine the widespread effects of vagal stimulation on cerebral cortical activity are better elucidated. This refers both to the antiepileptic effects and most recently to the beneficial effects of vagal stimulation in mood and cognitive disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Morphology and Applied Biology, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56100 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruffoli
authors.forename: Filippo S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Giorgi
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pizzanelli
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Murri
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paparelli
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fornai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008125:Locus Coeruleus / Q000502:physiology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D055536:Vagus Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods