%0 Review
%T Vagus nerve stimulation as immunomodulatory therapy for stroke: A comprehensive review.
%A Jelinek M
%A Lipkova J
%A Duris K
%J Exp Neurol
%V 372
%N 0
%D 2024 02 30
%M 38042360
%F 5.62
%R 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114628
%X Stroke is a devastating cerebrovascular pathology with high morbidity and mortality. Inflammation plays a central role in the pathophysiology of stroke. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a promising immunomodulatory method that has shown positive effects in stroke treatment, including neuroprotection, anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, reduced infarct volume, improved neurological scores, and promotion of M2 microglial polarization. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the vagus nerve's immunomodulatory effects through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) and provide a comprehensive assessment of the available experimental literature focusing on the use of VNS in stroke treatment.