Research
At the Translational Neurophysiology lab, we study the autonomic nervous system and its involvement in immune function and physiological homeostasis, in health and in cardiovascular diseases. We also develop and test autonomic neuromodulation treatments of conditions with cardiovascular, immune and metabolic dysfunction.
We use methods from autonomic neuroscience, neural engineering, neuroanatomy, cardiovascular physiology and immunology to:
(a) develop and test technologies for precision autonomic neuromodulation, based on understanding the anatomy and physiology of the autonomic nervous system,
(b) mechanistically study neural circuits and neuroimmune pathways that mediate autonomic regulation of immune function and homeostasis in health and disease,
(c) investigate neuroimmune interactions and neuromodulation treatments targeting immune dysfunction in cardiovascular disease, such as pulmonary hypertension and heart failure.
Read more about: autonomic nervous system, neural control of inflammation, inflammation and heart disease, autonomic neuromodulation
Technologies for precision autonomic neuromodulation
Stimulation of the vagus nerve (VNS) is clinically used in the treatment of epilepsy and depression, and explored as a therapeutic option in diseases with an inflammatory component, including rheumatoid arthritis, pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmias, diabetes, obesity, and others. As VNS increases its therapeutic footprint, there is urgent need for more organ- and function-selective devices, to maximize efficacy and safety. We develop stimulation methods, neural interfaces and technologies for precision neuromodulation that are guided by deep knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the vagus nerve and its target organs. A lot of this work happens in large animal models.
Organ- and function-specific anatomical organization of vagal fibers supports fascicular vagus nerve stimulation (Brain Stimulation 2023)
kHz-frequency electrical stimulation selectively activates small, unmyelinated vagus afferents (Brain Stimulation 2022)
Strategies for precision vagus neuromodulation (Bioelectronic Medicine 2022)
A fully implantable wireless bidirectional neuromodulation system for mice (Biosensors Bioelectronics 2022)
Cortical responses to vagus nerve stimulation are modulated by brain state in nonhuman primates (Cerebral Cortex 2021)
Quantitative estimation of nerve fiber engagement by vagus nerve stimulation using physiological markers (Brain Stimulation 2020)
Anodal block permits directional vagus nerve stimulation (Scientific Reports 2020)
Closed-loop neuromodulation in physiological and translational research (Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives Medicine 2018)
Autonomic circuits and neuroimmune mechanisms that regulate immunity, inflammation and homeostasis
We study the neural circuits, physiological mechanisms and neuroimmune pathways by which the autonomic nervous system senses the status of peripheral organs and systems, and regulates organ function, with an emphasis on regulation of cardiopulmonary function by the vagus nerve, and of metabolic and inflammatory processes by abdominal ganglia. Much of this work is done in small animal models.
Vagus nerve stimulation modulates distinct acetylcholine receptors on B cells and limits the germinal center response (Science Advances 2024) gf ( (Science Advances, 2024)
Voltammetry in the spleen assesses real-time anti-inflammatory norepinephrine release elicited by autonomic neurostimulation (J Neuroinflammation 2024)J Neuroinflammation, 2023)
Development and characterization of a chronic implant mouse model for vagus nerve stimulation (eLife 2021)
Implant- and anesthesia-related factors affecting cardiopulmonary threshold intensities for vagus nerve stimulation (J Neural Engineering 2021)
Stimulation of the hepatoportal nerve plexus with focused ultrasound restores glucose homoeostasis in diabetic mice, rats and swine (Nature Biomedical Engineering 2022)
Immune dysfunction and autonomic neuromodulation in cardiovascular diseases
We investigate how the autonomic nervous system interacts with immune processes in the context of cardiovascular diseases like pulmonary hypertension and heart failure. Furthermore, we test autonomic neuromodulation therapies in preclinical models of disease, mostly in small animal species, and in early clinical studies.
Ultrasound neuromodulation of an anti-inflammatory pathway at the spleen improves experimental pulmonary hypertension (Circulation Research 2024)
Vagus nerve stimulation for cardiovascular diseases: Is there light at the end of the tunnel? (Trends Cardiovascular Medicine 2023)
Trans-spinal focused ultrasound suppresses spinal reflexes in healthy rats (Neuromodulation 2023)
Focused ultrasound neuromodulation of the spleen activates an anti-inflammatory response in humans (Brain Stimulation 2023)
Stimulation of the hepatoportal nerve plexus with focused ultrasound restores glucose homoeostasis in diabetic mice, rats and swine (Nature Biomedical Engineering 2022)
Autonomic neuromodulation for atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery (J American College Cardiology 2022)
Pulmonary arterial hypertension: the case for a bioelectronic treatment (Bioelectronic Medicine 2019)
Noninvasive sub-organ ultrasound stimulation for targeted neuromodulation (Nature Communications 2019)