Neurogastroenterology and motility : the official journal of the European Gastrointestinal Motility Society
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Neurogastroenterol. Motil. · May 2021
Auricular vagal nerve stimulation enhances gastrointestinal motility and improves interstitial cells of Cajal in rats treated with loperamide.
Gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders affect a large proportion of the population with limited treatment options. The aims of this study were to investigate the potential of a non-invasive method of auricular vagal nerve stimulation (aVNS) for treating GI dysmotility and to explore possible mechanisms involving slow waves and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). ⋯ Loperamide induces upper GI dysmotility. aVNS accelerates upper GI transit and improving pace-making activity mediated via the ICC. Non-invasive aVNS may have a therapeutic potential for upper GI dysmotility.