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Enhanced recognition memory following vagus nerve stimulation in human subjects

Nature Neuroscience volume 2, pages 94–98 (1999)Cite this article

Abstract

Neuromodulators associated with arousal modulate learning and memory, but most of these substances do not freely enter the brain from the periphery. In rodents, these neuromodulators act in part by initiating neural messages that travel via the vagus nerve to the brain, and electrical stimulation of the vagus enhances memory. We now extend that finding to human verbal learning. We examined word-recognition memory in patients enrolled in a clinical study evaluating the capacity of vagus nerve stimulation to control epilepsy. Stimulation administered after learning significantly enhanced retention. These findings confirm in humans the hypothesis that vagus nerve activation modulates memory formation similarly to arousal.

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Figure 1: Intensity-dependent modulation of word-recognition performance.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mary Aiello for scheduling patients and organizing test visits. This research was supported by Cyberonics, Inc.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Program for the Biopsychology of Learning and Memory, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 62901-6502, Illinois, USA

    Kevin B. Clark, Douglas C. Smith & Robert A. Jensen

  2. Departments of Neurology and Pharmacology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, 62794-9230, Illinois, USA

    Dean K. Naritoku

  3. Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 62901-6512, Illinois, USA

    Ronald A. Browning

Authors
  1. Kevin B. Clark
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  5. Robert A. Jensen
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Correspondence to Robert A. Jensen.

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Clark, K., Naritoku, D., Smith, D. et al. Enhanced recognition memory following vagus nerve stimulation in human subjects. Nat Neurosci 2, 94–98 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/4600

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