Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Enhancing Plasticity and Brain Health
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Speakers
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William "Jamie" Tyler, PhD – Associate Director of Center for Neuroengineering and Brain-Computer Interfaces, The University of Alabama at Birmingham
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Cristin Welle, PhD – Professor of Neurosurgery and Physiology & Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
About the Talk
Non-invasive stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (taVNS) shows promise toward improving brain health and function, and human performance across a multitude of domains. The auricular branch of the vagus nerve and other cranial nerves innervating the external ear project their afferents to several brainstem nuclei which innervate the reticular activating system. These noradrenergic, serotonergic and cholinergic nuclei are critical regulators of sleep-wake cycles, arousal, cognition and learning. This talk discusses different methodological approaches and practical considerations to taVNS for modulating brain plasticity and autonomic nervous system activity.
- Dr. William Tyler shares taVNS methods recently engineered to enhance cognitive function, sleep and physical rehabilitation, describing methods and results from ongoing and recent clinical trials evaluating feasibility for improving health outcomes in patients with autism, breast cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
- Dr. Cristin Welle explores research demonstrating VNS paired with motor learning enhances skill acquisition by modulating phasic cholinergic signaling and cortical plasticity. Additional mechanistic evidence that VNS can enhance oligodendrogenesis and restore myelin deficits to improve long-term motor function will be discussed.
Implications of these findings for neurorehabilitation will be described in the context of pilot clinical investigations using reinforcement-based taVNS to improve fine motor ability in people with multiple sclerosis and executive function in people suffering from neuroinflammation.
Except where otherwise noted, you can attend in person at Center for BrainHealth in Dallas, Texas with no registration. Lunch begins at 11:30 AM. For more information, visit our visit our FAQs or email brainhealthevents@utdallas.edu.
Dr. William "Jamie" Tyler is associate director of industry and entrepreneurship for the Center for Neuroengineering and Brain-Computer Interfaces. Dr. Tyler is a two-time graduate of UAB and officially joined the faculty in 2022 as a Professor of Biomedical Engineering as the School of Engineering’s first strategic hire in Neuroengineering. His focus is on developing products and solutions for noninvasive medical and consumer health devices, as well as neuromodulation solutions for national defense and security needs. These include methods and devices for cognitive and physical performance enhancement, as well as for treatment of mental health conditions. He is working to develop and commercialize novel products to enhance brain health and cognition.
Dr. Cristin Welle directs the BIOElectrics Lab, investigating how neurological medical devices interact with the nervous system. Her lab dissects circuit-level structural and functional implications of neuromodulatory and brain-computer-interface devices using optogenetics, chronic electrophysiology and longitudinal in-vivo imaging in animal models with the goal of understanding the dynamic interactions between devices and neural circuits in the context of translational neurotechnology.
We are located at 2200 West Mockingbird Lane Dallas, TX 75235
The entrance to the surface parking lot is on Forest Park Road. The talks will be held in the Brain Performance Institute building, the second building when you enter through the gate.