J. König: Beyond Heart Rate Variability: Methodological Advances in the Study of the Vagus Nerve and it’s Experimental Stimulation

Abstract
The vagus nerve is incremental for the survival of the human organism. Research on its integrative action in orchestrating immune, endocrine and metabolic function yielded findings with widespread implications for the basic sciences and clinical care. The psychological sciences predominantly relied on the study of its proximal action, by means of investigating resting heart rate variability. The talk will address the historical origins and current state of research on the fundamental anatomy and physiological principles of vagal action, from the discovery of the vagusstoff to early takes of therapeutic modulation by means of carotid forks or vagotomy. Current approaches and recent advantages in experimental designs are exemplified to illustrate how improvements in the methodological repertoire guide new discoveries at fast pace. An outlook beyond the current plateau of productivity is provided, illustrating future avenues for precision medicine in closed-loop modulation, in-vivo recordings and animal models of viral tracing and optogenetic stimulation. Emphasize is placed on clinical translation, illustrating important links to emotion and new therapeutics in the treatment of affective disorders, in particular depression.

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