Speaker
Description
In recent years, researchers in cognitive enhancement and rehabilitation have increasingly focused on neurostimulation techniques, aiming to develop effective methods that are minimally invasive and associated with few side effects. In this context, transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has gained growing attention for its potential benefits on cognitive functions in both healthy individuals and those with cognitive impairment. Systematic reviews have reported mild positive effects of taVNS on cognitive performance, particularly on executive functions, although heterogeneity in methods, stimulation parameters, and outcomes has been observed.
Given the role of taVNS in modulating autonomic responses through specific neuroanatomical pathways, identifying factors that can predict stimulation efficacy remains crucial for protocol standardization. Due to its intrinsic nature, taVNS invites a deeper investigation of the body–brain interaction. If the vagus nerve acts as an indirect bodily channel influencing cognitive functions, interoceptive awareness—the ability to perceive and interpret internal bodily sensations—may represent a key moderating factor. According to the neurovisceral integration model, better interoceptive abilities could facilitate more adaptive autonomic responses and, consequently, stronger cognitive effects during taVNS.
This contribution presents preliminary empirical evidence from a within-subject study involving healthy adults categorized as good or poor interoceptors using the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness. Participants underwent both sham and active taVNS sessions, with heart rate variability and cognitive performance indices assessed. The findings suggest differential autonomic and cognitive patterns based on interoceptive abilities, offering promising insights for developing targeted neurostimulation interventions in populations with cognitive decline, such as individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment.
| If you're submitting a symposium talk, what's the symposium title? | Mind, Body, and Beyond: Integrated Approaches in Cognitive Decline |
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| If you're submitting a symposium, or a talk that is part of a symposium, is this a junior symposium? | No |
