The vagus nerve connections allow it to modulate the function of higher brain centers, forming the basis for its potential use in many disorders. (Ben-Menachema et al., 2018)

Vagus nerve stimulation has been linked to several regions of the brain and affects different neurotransmitters (Yuan and Silberstein, 2016c). 

Limbic system

• Epilepsy, mood, pain and memory

Interbrain

• Satiety, inflammation, epilepsy, pain and autonomic system

Midbrain

• Pain, epilepsy, and mood

Pons

• Epilepsy, pain, mood, motor skills, sleep, autonomic interoception

Medulla

• A major efferent to the gastrointestinal tract, heart and lungs, motor skills, autonomic system, sleep, and chemoreceptors

Cerebellum

• Autonomic system

Spinal cord

• Pain and the autonomic system