Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurological disorder characterized by motor and cognitive impairment. While the exact cause is unclear, emerging research highlights the role of the vagus nerve (VN) in PSP. Follow us in the rest of this article:

 Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for PSP :

•  A pilot study evaluated the effect of tDCS over the motor cortex and premotor cortex in PSP patients, emphasizing cognitive dysfunction.
•  Eight PSP patients received anodal tDCS over primary motor and pre-motor cortices in 10 daily sessions.
• Results showed:
• Improvement in the PSP-Rating Scale and Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale Part III (UPDRS III) scores.
• Positive effects on action tremor .
•  Neuropsychological improvements in domains like visuomotor coordination , auditory-verbal learning , and semantic fluency .
• The benefits persisted beyond the treatment duration¹.

 Vagus Nerve and Gut-Brain Connection :

• The VN may play a role in PSP pathogenesis.
• The Braak’s Hypothesis suggests that PD and PSP begin in the gut and use the VN to reach the brain.
• VN atrophy and its impact on disease progression are areas of ongoing study³.

 Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) :

• VNS influences dopamine production (affected in PSP).
• It improves walking ability in PSP patients.
• VNS enhances blood flow, reduces inflammation, and decreases abnormal protein buildup observed in PSP².

Polyvagal Nature :

• Understanding the VN’s polyvagal aspects is crucial for comprehending PSP.
• The VN’s role in switching between the “Freeze” stress response and the parasympathetic mode affects PSP symptoms¹.

In summary, the VN’s involvement in PSP extends beyond motor symptoms, emphasizing its potential as a therapeutic target. Further research will enhance our understanding and guide clinical interventions.

(1) Transcranial direct current stimulation for progressive supranuclear …

(2) Fight Anxiety With a Strong Vagus Nerve – Cleveland Clinic Health …. 

(3) 5 Ways To Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve – Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. 

(4) Vagus nerve: Function, stimulation, and further research. 

(5) Stimulating the vagus nerve to help recover arm function.