The Neural Basis of the Effect of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Emotion Regulation Related Brain Regions: An rs-fMRI Study

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a promising neurostimulation approach for emotion regulation. This research aimed to clarify the underlying neural basis responsible for taVNS's impact on emotional regulation related brain regions. Thirty-two healthy volunteers were allocated into a taVNS group, which received electrical stimulation at the concha area of the ear, and a sham group, which received earlobe stimulation. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from both the taVNS and sham groups pre- and post-stimulation. To evaluate the alterations in neural activity and connectivity resulting from auricular electrical stimulation, degree centrality and functional connectivity analyses were used. The results indicated that taVNS modulated the neural activity of several brain regions, including the bilateral precuneus, temporal gyrus, precentral gyrus, and postcentral gyrus, whereas earlobe stimulation did not produce such effects. taVNS may improve emotion regulation by modulating neural activation and functional connectivity in key brain regions, then facilitating the integration of emotional responses, memories, and experiences. Thus, these brain regions may serve as potential therapeutic targets for taVNS in treating disorders associated with emotional dysregulation. These findings provide insight into the neural basis through which taVNS influences emotion regulation and hold potential for the development of neuromodulation-based therapeutic strategies for emotional disorders.