Head hurts?: Zap the nerve in your neck

• Autores: Linda Geddes
• Localización: New scientist, ISSN 0262-4079, Nº. 2930, 2013, pág. 12
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Cluster headaches are thought to be triggered by the overactivation of brain cells involved in pain processing. The neurotransmitter glutamate, which excites brain cells, is a prime suspect. ElectroCore turned to the vagus nerve as previous studies had shown that stimulating it in people with epilepsy releases neurotransmitters that dampen brain activity. When the firm used a smaller version of ElectroCore's device on rats, it found it reduced glutamate levels and excitability in these pain centers. Other studies have shown that vagus nerve stimulation causes the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters which counter the effects of glutamate.