Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an adjunctive treatment for refractory epilepsy. Although widely used, there is still a substantial number of patients with insufficient response. Light, and particularly blue light, can stimulate alertness, attention and cognition through modulation of anatomical targets which are common to the vagal afferent network. This project aims at understanding how exposure to blue enriched light may influence VNS effects in patients with refractory epilepsy by exploring the modulation of a series of biomarkers of VNS action. This could possibly lead to new therapeutic strategies to increase efficacy of VNS.
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electroencephalography, electrocardiogram, pupillometry, evoked potentials, light administration
Other interventionRecording of the electrical activity of the brain, of the heart. Pupil size will be analyzed. The effect of blue light administration will be assessed on those parameters.
transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation, electroencephalography, pupillometry, electrocardiogram, light administration
Other interventionTranscutaneous vagus nerve stimulation will be performed in helathy subjects, as well as the recording of the electrical activity of the brain, and of the heart. Pupil size will be analyzed. The effect of blue light administration will be assessed on those parameters.
Effect of blue light on VNS biomarkers
Blue light increases VNS induced electroencephalogram desynchronisation in implanted patients
Effect of blue light on VNS biomarkers
Blue light increases P300 amplitude in VNS implanted patients
Effect of blue light on VNS biomarkers
Blue light increases VNS (or tVNS) induced pupil dilation (in patients \& healthy subjects).
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