https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190614082931.htm
Vagus nerve stimulation study shows significant reduction in rheumatoid arthritis symptoms
Initial pilot data support the use of new neurostimulation treatment in a larger study in patients who have failed current standard of care
Date:June 14, 2019Source:European League Against RheumatismSummary:The results of a pilot study suggest that electro stimulation of one of the nerves connecting the brain to the body (the vagus nerve), could provide a novel treatment approach for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Genovese MC, Gaylis N, Sikes D, et al. First-in-human study of novel implanted vagus nerve stimulation device to treat rheumatoid arthritis. EULAR 2019; Madrid: Abstract LB0009."This is a really exciting development. For many patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, current treatments don't work, or aren't tolerated," said Professor Thomas Dörner, Chairperson of the Scientific Programme Committee, EULAR. "These results open the door to a novel approach to treating not only rheumatoid arthritis, but other chronic inflammatory diseases. This is certainly an area for further study."
The vagus nerve is the longest and the most complex of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves that originate from the brain. The name 'vagus' comes from the latin word for 'wandering'. This is because the vagus nerve wanders from the brain into the organs of the neck, chest and abdomen. . . .
"Our pilot study suggests this novel MicroRegulator device is well tolerated and reduces signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis," said Mark Genovese, M.D., James W. Raitt Endowed Professor of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA. "These data support the study of this device in a larger placebo-controlled study as a novel treatment approach for rheumatoid arthritis and possibly other chronic inflammatory diseases."