Methods of modulating aspects of brain neural plasticity by vagus nerve stimulation

摘要

Methods of treating persistent impairment of consciousness in humans and animals by vagus nerve stimulation are provided. These methods comprise selecting an appropriate human or animal subject and applying to the subject's vagus nerve an electrical stimulation signal having parameter values effective in modulating the electrical activity of the vagus nerve in a manner so as to modulate the activity of preselected portions of the brain.