Resumen de Modulation of memory persistence and brain connectivity by non-invasive electrostimulation
Cecilia Teresa Brambilla Pisoni
Auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (atVNS) is an evolving non-invasive neuromodulation technology, which is under investigation for therapeutic applications, including cognitive improvement. In this thesis, we studied the efficacy of an acute session of atVNS on modulating memory performance and brain activity. We explored atVNS potential in health and diseased conditions, using naïve mice and a mouse model for fragile X syndrome (FXS), a rare neurodevelopmental disorder featuring intellectual disability. Specifically, we observed a significant improvement in object-recognition memory persistence both in health and FXS conditions, supporting the pro-cognitive effects of this electromodulation approach. Furthermore, we investigated the central responses of atVNS at cellular and network levels, reporting a modification in the connectivity patterns due to electrostimulation in both genotypes, which may underlie the cognitive improvements recorded. Overall, we provided preclinical evidence of the effects of atVNS on memory persistence and brain functional connectivity, and extend our knowledge of the biological mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of non-invasive vagus nerve electrostimulation technique.
