Metabolic feedback between the gut and the brain relayed via the vagus nerve contributes to energy homeostasis. We investigated in healthy adults whether non-invasive stimulation of vagal afferents impacts energy homeostasis via efferent effects on metabolism or digestion. In a randomized crossover design, we applied transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) while recording efferent metabolic effects using simultaneous electrogastrography (EGG) and indirect calorimetry. We found that taVNS reduced gastric myoelectric frequency (p = .008), but did not alter resting energy expenditure. We conclude that stimulating vagal afferents induces gastric slowing via vagal efferents without acutely affecting net energy expenditure at rest. Collectively, this highlights the potential of taVNS to modulate digestion by activating the dorsal vagal complex. Thus, taVNS-induced changes in gastric frequency are an important peripheral marker of brain stimulation effects.

中文翻译：

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迷走神经传入的非侵入性刺激可降低胃频率

通过迷走神经传递的肠道和大脑之间的代谢反馈有助于能量稳态。我们在健康成人中调查了迷走神经传入的非侵入性刺激是否通过对代谢或消化的传出效应影响能量稳态。在随机交叉设计中，我们应用经皮耳部迷走神经刺激 (taVNS)，同时使用同步胃电图 (EGG) 和间接量热法记录传出代谢效应。我们发现 tavns 降低了胃肌电频率 (p = .008)，但没有改变静息能量消耗。我们得出结论，刺激迷走神经传入通过迷走神经传出诱导胃减慢，而不会严重影响静息时的净能量消耗。总的来说，这突出了 tavns 通过激活背侧迷走神经复合体来调节消化的潜力。因此，tavns 诱导的胃频率变化是脑刺激效应的重要外周标志物。