Microelectrode Recordings From the Vagus Nerve in Awake Humans

identify action potential morphology of specific fibers activated by vagal nerve stimulation (VNS),identify ratio of myelinated fibers in specific fibers activated by vagal nerve stimulation (VNS),physiological identification of the specific fibers activated by vagal nerve stimulation (VNS),identify firing rates of the specific fibers activated by vagal nerve stimulation (VNS),identify stimulus current required to activate specific fibers activated by vagal nerve stimulation (VNS),differences in firing rates of cardiac parasympathetic vagal activity,Discharge variability of cardiac parasympathetic nerve fibers

This Anchillary project uses a refined technique of ultrasound-guided microneurography of the
 human cervical vagus nerve, an approach developed by Professor Vaughan Macefield and used
 safely to-date in 44 prior study participants.
 
 The overall goal of this project is to build upon prior data obtained using this approach by
 undertaking a detailed neurophysiological investigation of the human vagus nerve and to
 identify the nerve fibers activated during vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) in participants with
 implanted VNS devices in response to different stimulation parameters. In addition to
 providing data in unprecedented detail into the physiology of the human vagus nerve, this
 project will investigate different stimulus intensities, durations and frequencies that
 differentially excite myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers. These results will inform the
 CSP and guide future development of novel neural interfaces for VNS for various clinical
 applications.