This is amazing! Implanting a small bioelectronic device on the Vagus nerve in Rheumatoid arthritic (RA) patients makes markers of inflammation (such as TNF and other cytokines) go down. And not only that, the symptoms of RA are also decreased.

This can be used for other autoimmune and immune diseases as well.

https://www.technologynetworks.com/neuroscience/news/study-shows-vagus-nerve-stimulation-significantly-reduces-rheumatoid-arthritis-284383

Clinical trial data published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) demonstrates stimulating the vagus nerve with an implantable bioelectronic device significantly improved measures of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects 1.3 million people in the United States and costs tens of billions of dollars annually to treat. The findings were announced by the Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and SetPoint Medical.

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The publication highlights a human study designed to reduce symptoms of RA, cytokine levels and inflammation by stimulating the vagus nerve with a small implanted device.

“This is the first study to evaluate whether stimulating the inflammatory reflex directly with an implanted electronic device can treat RA in humans,” said Professor Paul-Peter Tak, MD, PhD, FMedSci, the international principal investigator and lead author of the paper at the Division of Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology of the Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam. “We have previously shown that targeting the inflammatory reflex may reduce inflammation in animal models and in vitro models of RA. The direct correlation between vagus nerve stimulation and the suppression of several key cytokines like TNF as well as reduced RA signs and symptoms demonstrates proof of mechanism, which might be relevant for other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases as well.”

“Our findings suggest a new approach to fighting diseases with bioelectronic medicines, which use electrical pulses to treat diseases currently treated with potent and relatively expensive drugs,” said Anthony Arnold, Chief Executive Officer of SetPoint Medical. “These results support our ongoing development of bioelectronic medicines designed to improve the lives of people suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases and give healthcare providers new and potentially safer treatment alternatives at a much lower total cost for the healthcare system.”

“This is a real breakthrough in our ability to help people suffering from inflammatory diseases,” said co-author Kevin J. Tracey, MD, president and CEO of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, discoverer of the inflammatory reflex and co-founder of SetPoint Medical. “While we’ve previously studied animal models of inflammation, until now we had no proof that electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve can indeed inhibit cytokine production and reduce disease severity in humans. I believe this study will change the way we see modern medicine, helping us understand that our nerves can, with a little help, make the drugs that we need to help our body heal itself.”

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While focused on rheumatoid arthritis, the trial’s results may have implications for patients suffering from other inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and others.

Study methodology and results

In the study, a stimulation device was implanted on the vagus nerve during a surgical procedure, then activated and deactivated based on a set schedule to measure response over 84 days, with primary endpoints measured at day 42 using DAS28-CRP, a standard disease activity composite score for RA that includes counts of tender and swollen joints, patient’s and physician’s assessment of disease activity and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

Of 17 patients with active RA in the study, several patients that had failed to respond to multiple therapies, including biologicals with different mechanisms of action, demonstrated robust responses. The findings indicate that active electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve inhibits TNF production in RA patients and significantly attenuates RA disease severity.

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Several patients reported significant improvements, including some who had previously failed to respond to any other form of pharmaceutical treatment. In addition, no serious adverse side effects were reported.

The emerging field of bioelectronic medicine aims to target disorders traditionally treated with drugs and instead uses advanced neuromodulation devices that may offer significant advantages. SetPoint is developing a novel proprietary bioelectronic medicine platform to treat a variety of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, using an implanted device to stimulate the vagus nerve.

Note: Material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

Just had one of the best experiences of my life at the Louisville Zoo. He came right up to me and did the head butt on the glass, which means basically “Pet me”!!! I am madly in love. I’ll be visiting him often 🐅😄

Why is it that when we are physically ill, as in for example having the flu, we are allowed to rest and recuperate. However when the illness is mental, as for example a mixed episode of bipolar disorder, we are not allowed to rest. We must keep going as if we are not sick at all. If we are housewives, dinner must be on the table when the family gets home. If we don’t make dinner (just an example of work) then why didn’t we? People might say “You don’t look sick, why don’t you do your work?” I have been in a mixed phase, as I generally am in the Fall. I feel terrible, emotional, terribly anxious, weepy, nothing good. Can’t eat. Yet I’m not given much of a chance to rest. I don’t look sick.

I’ve been away from my blog. Was having a pretty rough time of it as usual upon the changing of the seasons. Increased meds. Feeling a bit better. Will be back soon with more. In the meantime, makin ‘ lemonade 🙂

I saw this on Instagram and I think it’s a wonderful idea so I’m sharing it with all of you. 🤗😊💐😻👍

Everything old is constantly new again. The realization that this hellish illness has stolen so much from me personally, it’s even taken my brother.

My marriage almost ended, and hellishly, I have traumatized my precious son because of this illness.

The five years I was on *Lamictal, constantly in hypomania, almost destroyed my life.

*Lamictal, the best new drug for bipolar disorder in the early 2000’s. Everyone was being put on it, including myself. Later they realized it only works for Bipolar 2 Disorder and should never be given to people with Bipolar 1 Disorder as it puts these people in hypomania. Yes I was one of the early experimental subjects, though without my consent. And being in hypomania for 5-6 years, imagine what that does to someone’s life! Nothing good, I can tell you that. So not only has this illness tried to destroy me but the medications which were prescribed to control its symptoms, those very medications have exacerbated the illness, made it worse, tested my mettle and my strength. Anyway, enough about that, I’m still here.

And I’m on the path to reclaim my life, reclaim myself from the awful effects of this illness as well as some medications.

I have lived in fear and constant anxiety for at least the last two years. I’m ready to let that go and really reclaim my life and myself. Let go of the devastation, let in the light and take control of my life.

I am on Lithium, have been since 2009. My mood’s been pretty stable except for the massive anxiety. Dealing with it.

I feel like I have to forgive myself for my behavior when I was hypomanic for 5-6 years while on Lamictal. I feel I have to let go of the guilt for the pain I caused my family, especially my darling son. And my dear husband. Of course they bore the brunt of it because I lived with them.

I will make amends. I will ask their forgiveness.

I will forgive myself.

And I will go on with as little fear and anxiety as I can possibly manage.

I will take positive actions in my life, not just remediate the negative past.

I have some very positive actions in mind.

The main thing is that like an earthquake, one feels the aftershocks days after the main one, well the aftereffects of being hypomanic for years last a long time as well. Realizing how one’s life was almost destroyed is horrendous, truly it is!

But moving past that is miraculous. It is pure strength and confidence. And that is what I’m working on now.

Wish me luck.

Absolutely love this!