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Vagus nerve
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[[File:Cranial Nerves.png|500px|thumb|right|Cranial Nerves - X. Vagus - internal organs]] [[File:Parasympathetic Innervation.png|400px|thumb|right|Parasympathetic Innervation N X (Vagus), 10th Cranial Nerve]] The '''vagus nerve''', also called the tenth cranial nerve, starts in the brain and runs down the trunk of the body, with branches innervating the major organs. A major component of the [[autonomic nervous system]] (ANS) and [[HPA axis]], it interfaces with the [[parasympathetic nervous system]] (PNS) and helps to regulate the [[heart]], lungs, and the [[digestive system]].<ref name="Tewfik2015">{{Cite journal | last = Tewfik | first = Ted | date = 2018-04-05 | editor-last = Meyers | editor-first = Arlen | title = Vagus Nerve Anatomy: Gross Anatomy, Microscopic Anatomy, Natural Variants|url=http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1875813-overview|journal=Medscape|volume=|pages=|via=}}</ref> It's a bi-directional nerve, meaning it both sends signals from the brain to the organs and the organs send messages back to the brain.<ref name="ElZakker2015">{{Cite news | url=http://thelowhistaminechef.com/harvard-neuroscientist-dr-michael-van-elzakker-chronic-fatigue-vagus-nerve-link/ | title = Harvard neuroscientist Dr. Michael VanElzakker: chronic fatigue vagus nerve link {{!}} Healing Histamine | last = VanElzakker | authorlink = Michael VanElzakker | date = 2015-12-08|work=Healing Histamine|access-date=2018-08-10|language=en-US}}</ref> ==Function== The vagus nerve is an important sensor and regulator of basic functions including breathing, heart rate, the relaxation response, the [[Gut-brain axis|gut-brain]] connection, and the formation of memories.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news | url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/65710/9-nervy-facts-about-vagus-nerve | title = 9 Fascinating Facts About the Vagus Nerve | last =Rosenfeld | first=Jordan | date = 2015-07-02|work=Mental Floss|access-date=2018-08-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|language=en}}</ref> The motor vagus nerve normally holds inhibitory influence over both systemic [[inflammation]] and some autonomic functions such as heart rate. It exerts stimulatory effects on gastric motility, detrusor contraction, pupillary activity, salivatory secretion, and tear secretion and it is also involved in pancreatic exocrine function. === Immune system === Because it is a bidirectional nerve, both the [[afferent]] (sensory) and [[efferent]] (motor) branches have important functions: afferent pathways mediate anti-inflammatory responses via the [[HPA axis]] and the release of [[corticosteroid]]s from the [[adrenal gland]]s. Efferents pathways mediate anti-inflammatory processes via direct effects on [[immune system|immune cells]] or through the splenic sympathetic nerve. This system is called the [[cholinergic]] anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP). For example, when the vagus nerve detects pro-[[inflammatory]] [[cytokine]]s such as [[tumor necrosis factor]]-alpha or [[interleukin 1]]-beta, chemoreceptors in the afferent vagus nerve send a signal into the [[brainstem]] that triggers both [[glial cell]] activation within the [[central nervous system]] as well as the general [[innate immune system|innate immune response]], sometimes called the [[sickness response]]. The efferent vagus nerve is responsible for an anti-inflammatory pathway.<ref name="Pavlov2003" /> The vagus nerve speaks directly to the [[immune system]] via the [[neurotransmitter]] [[acetylcholine]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071024083630.htm | title = Direct Route From The Brain To The Immune System Discovered | last = | first = | date = Oct 24, 2007|work=ScienceDaily|access-date=2018-08-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Gallagher2015">{{Cite news | url=http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_24-2-2015-14-16-10 | title = Scientists uncover new role for neurotransmitter that helps fight infection {{!}} Imperial News {{!}} Imperial College London | last =Gallagher | first = Laura | date = Feb 24, 2015 |work=Imperial News|access-date=2018-08-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="Darby2015">{{Cite journal | last =Darby | first = Matthew | last2 = Schnoeller | first2=Corinna | last3 = Vira | first3 = Alykhan | last4 = Culley | first4 = Fiona | last5 = Bobat | first5 = Saeeda | last6 = Logan | first6 = Erin | last7 = Kirstein | first7 = Frank | last8 = Wess | first8 = JΓΌrgen | last9 = Cunningham | first9 = Adam F | date = 2015-01-28 | title = The M3 Muscarinic Receptor Is Required for Optimal Adaptive Immunity to Helminth and Bacterial Infection|url=http://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1004636|journal=PLOS Pathogens|language=en|volume=11|issue=1| pages = e1004636|doi=10.1371/journal.ppat.1004636|issn=1553-7374|pmc=4309615|pmid=25629518}}</ref> Vagus is thus important for maintaining [[homeostasis]] and preventing an overreactive immune response that can cause major injury or death.<ref name="Pavlov2003">{{Cite journal | last =Pavlov | first = Valentin A | last2 = Wang | first2 = Hong | last3 = Czura | first3 = Christopher J | last4 = Friedman | first4=Steven G | last5 = Tracey | first5 = Kevin J | date = 2003 | title=The Cholinergic Anti-inflammatory Pathway: A Missing Link in Neuroimmunomodulation|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1430829/|journal=Molecular Medicine|volume=9|issue=5-8|pages=125β134|issn=1076-1551|pmid=14571320|via=}}</ref> For example, [[vagus nerve stimulation]] (VNS) is being used experimentally as an adjunct treatment for sepsis,<ref name="Wang2016">{{Cite journal | last =Wang | first = Da-Wei | last2 = Yin | first2=Yi-Mei | last3 = Yao | first3 = Yong-Ming | date = 2016-09-02 | title = Vagal Modulation of the Inflammatory Response in Sepsis|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27128144/|journal=International Reviews of Immunology|volume=35|issue=5|pages=415β433|doi=10.3109/08830185.2015.1127369|issn=1563-5244|pmid=27128144}}</ref> which can cause death via a massive [[cytokine storm]].<ref name="Karbian2020">{{Cite journal | last = Karbian | first = Netanel | last2 = Abutbul | first2 = Avraham | last3 = el-Amore | first3 = Raja | last4 = Eliaz | first4 = Ran | last5 = Beeri | first5 = Ronen | last6 = Reicher | first6 = Barak | last7 = Mevorach | first7 = Dror | date = 2020-07-15 | title = Apoptotic cell therapy for cytokine storm associated with acute severe sepsis|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41419-020-02748-8|journal=Cell Death & Disease|language=en|volume=11|issue=7|pages=1β14|doi=10.1038/s41419-020-02748-8|issn=2041-4889}}</ref> === Autonomic nervous system === Vagal tone is a measure of the constitutive output of the motor branch of the vagus nerve. It is frequently measured with the [[tilt table test]] because the vagus nerve is responsible for the autonomic changes that allow us to go from lying down to standing up without [[syncope|fainting]]. With a loss of vagal tone, both the anti-inflammatory pathway and parasympathetic inhibition over autonomic systems are diminished. According to the [[vagus nerve infection hypothesis]] (VNIH), exaggerated sensory vagus nerve signaling leads to loss of vagal tone and therefore a loss of control over inflammation. == Learn more == *[http://thelowhistaminechef.com/dr-diana-driscoll-interview-vagus-nerve-and-potsmast-cell-activation/ Dr. Diana Driscoll: Vagus Nerve and POTS/Mast Cell Activation]<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://healinghistamine.com/dr-diana-driscoll-interview-vagus-nerve-and-potsmast-cell-activation/ | title = Dr. Diana Driscoll interview: vagus nerve and POTS/mast cell activation {{!}} Healing Histamine | date = 2016-01-12|work=Healing Histamine|access-date=2018-08-10|language=en-US}}</ref> *[http://mentalfloss.com/article/65710/9-nervy-facts-about-vagus-nerve 9 Nervy Facts About the Vague Nerve]<ref name=":0" /> ==See also== *[[Parasympathetic nervous system]] *[[Sympathetic nervous system]] *[[Vagus nerve infection hypothesis]] ==References== {{Reflist}} [[Category:Body systems]] [[Category:Neurology]] [[Category:Cardiology]]
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