Vagus nerve stimulation inhibits cytokine production and attenuates disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis
Koopman FA, Chavan SS, Miljko S, Grazio S, Sokolovic S, Schuurman PR, Mehta AD, Levine YA, Faltys M, Zitnik R, et al.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2016
Key finding
Implanted VNS significantly inhibited TNF production and improved clinical signs in rheumatoid arthritis patients, providing direct evidence of the inflammatory reflex in humans.
- Condition
- Inflammation
- Stimulation
- iVNS
- Evidence tier
- Controlled Clinical Trial
- Participants
- 17
Cite this study
Koopman, F. A., Chavan, S. S., Miljko, S., Grazio, S., Sokolovic, S., Schuurman, P. R., Mehta, A. D., Levine, Y. A., Faltys, M., Zitnik, R., Tracey, K. J., & Tak, P. P. (2016). Vagus nerve stimulation inhibits cytokine production and attenuates disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(29), 8284-8289. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1605635113
Related studies in Inflammation
Vagus nerve stimulation in autoimmune conditions: a systematic review
Lombo et al. · ACR Open Rheumatology · 2025 · Systematic Review / Meta-Analysis
No consistent evidence for the anti-inflammatory effect of vagus nerve stimulation in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Schiweck et al. · Brain, Behavior, and Immunity · 2024 · Systematic Review / Meta-Analysis
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation has no anti-inflammatory effect in diabetes
Okdahl et al. · Scientific Reports · 2024 · Randomised Controlled Trial
Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Stavrakis et al. · JACC. Clinical electrophysiology · 2024 · Randomised Controlled Trial
Summary by Vagus Research. Always consult the primary source for the authoritative record.