Research Areas Inflammation & Autoimmune Cond...

Inflammation & Autoimmune Conditions

Vagus Nerve and Its Role in Autoimmune Conditions

Autoimmune diseases arise when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, leading to a range of chronic symptoms. These conditions commonly involve chronic inflammation, digestive issues, heart rhythm disturbances, pain, difficulty concentrating, and persistent fatigue, all of which can be influenced by the vagus nerve. This nerve is a key component of the parasympathetic response, including the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, the brain-gut axis, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The role of the vagus nerve in various immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, primary Sjögren's syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and adrenal insufficiency, has been extensively studied, revealing a trend of decreased vagal tone in these conditions. Inflammation of the vagus nerve, which may result from allergies, infections, or toxins, can significantly influence the development and progression of autoimmune diseases, often correlating with chronic inflammation and dysautonomia by:

Reduced Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

The most common complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the one associated with high mortality are disorders of the autonomic cardiovascular system. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measurement of the central autonomic drive (activity) of the heart muscle. In vagus nerve lesions, a decrease in HRV was observed, which indicates an abnormal and insufficient adaptability of the autonomic nervous system and is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular events.

Inflammatory Response

The vagus nerve plays a critical role in the inflammatory reflex, regulating immune function, and inhibiting excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines and autoantibodies. When the vagus nerve is damaged, this balance often shifts towards chronic inflammation, leading to tissue damage and cell death. Such imbalances are seen in diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rheumatoid arthritis. High levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and autoantibodies are often associated with increased activity and severity of autoimmune disease symptoms, as well as commonly seen comorbidities such as cardiovascular issues (e.g., ischemic heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias).

Neurogenic Inflammation

Impaired function of the vagus nerve can significantly contribute to neurogenic inflammation, a form of inflammation primarily mediated by the nervous system, which can lead to pathology in allergies and autoimmune disease. Inadequate regulation of inflammation during dysfunction of the vagus nerve can contribute to the progression and severity of autoimmune diseases. This can also increase pain perception and tissue sensitivity, particularly in conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Impaired Gastrointestinal Functioning

The vagus nerve, as an integral part of the neuroendocrine-immune axis, is controlling gastrointestinal motility, pancreatic endocrine and exocrine secretion, hepatic glucose production, and other visceral functions. Disruption in vagus nerve function can amplify inflammatory signals from the gut, possibly heightening the vulnerability to autoimmune reactions. In the context of IBD and diabetes, this includes altered intestinal motility and disrupted endocrine and exocrine secretion, exacerbating gastrointestinal problems. These symptoms often extend beyond the gut and manifest as fatigue, increased stress, depression, and cardiovascular abnormalities.

Increased Pain Perception

Damage to the vagus nerve reduces the nerve's ability to not only exacerbate inflammation, but also increases pain sensitivity due to increased neuronal sensitization and inflammation, which may accelerate the progression of immune diseases. The lack of inhibition of pain pathways by the vagus nerve further increases the perception of pain, contributing to the development of chronic pain typically seen in autoimmune diseases. Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) often experience physical disability due to persistent inflammation. which ultimately leads to deformities and chronic pain. Chronic pain significantly affects the quality of life of patients with autoimmune disease and may contribute to mental illnesses.

Nurosym: Therapeutic Effects in Alleviating Post-Viral Syndromes

Nurosym, a certified medical device, stimulates neural pathways by delivering electrical impulses to the vagus nerve fibres. It helps restore equilibrium in the nervous system and reduce the risk and onset of autoimmune diseases. Improvement in these areas, stemming from proper vagal nerve function, is crucial for individuals recovering from autoimmune conditions and can be indicated as follows:

Improved heart rate variability (HRV)

Nurosym improves the regulatory functions of the vagus nerve, effectively mitigating complications in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), as indicated by the improved Heart Rate Variability (HRV). The observable increase in HRV during Nurosym stimulation indicates a more pronounced parasympathetic "rest and digest" activity, signifying good cardiac adaptability. Nurosym's role in enhancing HRV addresses these issues by reestablishing autonomic control processes, leading to a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular complications, such as ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and arrhythmia in individuals with autoimmune conditions.

Anti-inflammatory Effects

Autoantibodies are antibodies produced by the immune system that target and attack the body's own cells and tissue.Nurosym demonstrated a reduction in the levels of anti-autonomic autoantibodies (a1-AR and b1-AR), which can be beneficial according to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjögren's syndrome, and lupus. These autoantibodies adversely affect the nervous system by targeting adrenergic receptors. Additionally, research on Nurosym has shown its potential to reduce levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), which may be crucial in treating the systemic inflammation commonly seen in autoimmune diseases. Vagal efferent fibres, when activated, reduce cytokine production via nicotinic receptors on macrophages through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Nurosym by activating the vagus nerve inhibits immune cells and signalling molecules. By reducing systemic inflammation, Nurosym may not only alleviate the occurrence and progression of autoimmune diseases but also reduce the perception of pain, thereby improving the daily functioning of affected individuals.

Mitigating Neurogenic Inflammation

Nurosym research has indicated that reduced inflammation involves neuropeptides like Neuropeptide Y (NPY), leading to a decrease in inflammatory responses. Clinical studies have suggested a role for NPY in other immune disorders, such as asthma and arthritis. Nurosym could help in reducing neurogenic inflammation by impacting the function of the vagus nerve and the pathways involving neuropeptides. This stimulation promotes the restoration of synergy between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). This could lessen tissue sensitivity, swelling, itching, and pain perception, which are significant issues in conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), Lupus, and Psoriasis.

Enhancing Gastrointestinal Functioning

Nurosym normalises the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas by activating the vagus nerve, thereby improving its tone. The vagus nerve, a crucial part of the central nervous system (CNS), connects to the brain-gut axis, providing parasympathetic innervation to the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. Nurosym has been shown to positively affect gastrointestinal functions, such as enhancing motility and enzyme secretion. This can potentially alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms and reduce systemic effects like fatigue and stress. Additionally, acting on the central vagal circuitry may also lessen nausea and vomiting, as well as inflammation, which could lead to improvements in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and type 2 Diabetes.

Reducing Pain Perception

Nurosym may help treat pain in autoimmune diseases by enhancing the role of the vagus nerve in pain suppression or by reducing neuronal sensitization and inflammation. Stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve can modulate the activity of the nucleus of the solitary tract, which has major afferent projections to the locus coeruleus that regulate pain threshold. The analgesic effect may also result from a direct effect on autonomic regulatory pathways in the brainstem. This may be particularly valuable in the treatment of chronic pain, thereby improving the quality of life and sleep in patients with RA and SSc.

Nurosym Research-Based Evidence

76% of Nurosym patients after 3 months of regular treatment observe positive outcomes in autoimmune disease,  associated with a reduction in sympathetic over-activity, alleviation of pain, mitigation of chronic inflammatory response and oxidative stress, as well as an improvement in mental health characterised by reduced symptoms of depression, fatigue and insomnia.

Low HRV is associated with impaired immune system functioning. In the Nurosym study, the participants who underwent neuromodulation demonstrated significant improvements in heart rate variability (HRV), with a substantial 61% increase in measures of cardiac vagal activity (HF parameter), along with significant improvements in other parameters (18% RMSSD, 25% pRR50, 14% SDRR), when compared to the placebo group.

Fig (A, B, C D). The response of autonomic function measured by HRV in Nurosym or Placebo  conditions over time: (A) HF, (B) RMSSD, (C) pRR50, (D) SDRR. With Nurosym, the measurements of HF, RMSSD, PRR50 and SDRR were significantly higher than those in Placebo (Parasym Clinical Trials, 2022).

In a Nurosym study, the active arm exhibited reduced levels of anti-autonomic autoantibodies (α-1AR and (β-1AR) by 29% compared to the sham arm at 2 months. This reduction can serve as an indicator of a decrease in the immune system's tendency to form immune complexes – clusters of antibodies bound to antigens.

Fig (A, B). Comparison of antiautonomic autoantibody activity between Nurosym neuromodulation and Placebo control at 3 months change. (A) β1-adrenergic (β-1AR) autoantibody activity. (B) α1-adrenergic receptor (α-1AR) autoantibody activity. P < 0.05. An=antibody. (Parasym Clinical Trials, 2023).

Another Nurosym finding highlights 78% reduction in inflammation in IL-6 (and other cytokines levels like ~61% IL-8, ~23% TNF-α). Decreased inflammation can lower fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes and fever.

(Figure A, B) In a three-month study employing the Nurosym device for heart failure patients, notable improvements (*P<0.05) were noted in inflammatory biomarkers: (A) Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)‐α exhibited a ~23% reduction, while (B) Interleukin (IL)‐8 showed a marked ~61.3% reduction. The investigation specifically targeted participants with elevated baseline inflammation levels (Parasym Clinical Trials, 2022).

Nurosym neuromodulation helps lower neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels by about 38% compared to Placebo group, which may influence the neuroimmune axis in autoimmune conditions.

(Fig). Significant reduction in circulating neuropeptide Y (NPY) concentrations was observed after 6 months of Nurosym treatment. NPY is associated with inflammatory disease progression (Parasym Clinical Trials, 2020).

During Parasym trials, reduction of 45% on the Beck Depression score was observed on dysautonomia patients.

Fig. Evolution of the Beck depression scale scores during Nurosym treatment (day 0, day 5 and day 10). The individual values and the median are shown. Non parametric Friedman statistics for paired comparisons were used and followed by post-hoc Dunn’s multiple comparisons test (Parasym Clinical Trial, 2021).

The Parasym research findings revealed a 48% improvement in fatigue, suggesting positive energy outcomes for autoimmune patients.

Fig. The Pichot fatigue scale scores during Nurosym therapy (D0: day 0, D5: day 5 and D10: day 10). Significant improvement in fatigue scores after Nurosym treatment was observed (D0 vs. D10, p<0.0001). (Parasym clinical trial, 2021).

Doctors about Nurosym

Dr Duyan Geng

Dr Geng in Parasym’s paperwork wrote Parasympathetic markers of HRV, mediated by the vagus nerve (VN), exhibit a significant inverse correlation with inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, and norepinephrine.” In turn, these may reduce progression and onset of autoimmune disease and reduce pain perception.

Dr Paul Verbanck

Additionally Dr Verbanck mentioned "The [Nurosym] treatment was effective for all symptoms, even if some of them remain longer than others: especially, abdominal pain and diarrhoea were commonly the last to improve.” These implications could potentially yield positive outcomes for patients dealing with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) as well as individuals experiencing pain associated with autoimmune diseases.

Dr Denef

"In medical school, the significance of the vagus nerve isn't emphasised enough. I fell on a study conducted by Parasym at the University of Brussels involving their device, and I was compelled to purchase it. Within just a week of using it, I felt inflammation going down. It was truly amazing."

Patients about Nurosym

Kate Steel

“(...) That post viral fatigue went on to develop into an autoimmune disease. So I ordered the [Nurosym; formerly Parasym] device and I've been using that ever since. I tend to use it mostly once a day, sometimes twice a day if I've got the time, but I particularly use it at night time and I use it as part of my bedtime routine. I definitely noticed when I haven't used it, I don't sleep as well. And I have noticed that overall I feel like it lowers the inflammation in my body because when I don't use it, I feel a lot more inflamed and achy and just just not well. So yeah, I'm really, really happy with the device."

Tatiana

Nurosym helped soothe the multiple inflammatory conditions I had developed after covid, such as arthritis, myocarditis, thyroiditis and brain fog. As I now feel better, I do not need to use it every day anymore, but I still incorporate it in my routine whenever I feel the need to relax and restore my nervous system and my whole body.

Anton

I'm a long COVID sufferer…I had a lot of muscle spasms, and I was also overly sensitive to external stimuli. So some days I couldn't do anything but just lay down with noise cancelling headphones and dim the light. And that changed after I started using [Nurosym; formerly Parasym] on a daily basis… So, for me, it has been an excellent treatment and I'm thankful for that.”

Who is for it?

Nurosym proves beneficial for individuals dealing with autoimmune conditions, marked by persistent symptoms like fatigue, cognitive impairment, and autonomic dysfunction. It works to rebalance the autonomic nervous system, reduce inflammation, and relieve neurological symptoms. This makes it a suitable therapeutic option for those facing the enduring consequences of autoimmune disorders. Nurosym successfully improves cognitive and physiological functions in individuals with autoimmune conditions, especially in cases where conventional pharmacological methods fall short, offering only temporary relief for symptoms without contributing to the enhancement of the body's autonomic efficiency.

Protocol - How to Use

Based on research results and patient experiences, it is recommended to administer Nurosym sessions for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, lasting at least 30 minutes twice daily. The vagus nerve is stimulated when a slight tingling sensation is felt at the tragus. Adjusting the duration and frequency of Nurosym sessions is based on individual responses.

Nurosym allows for long-term optimization of quality of life, emphasising the fight against inflammation until remission is achieved. In autoimmune diseases, notable results in reduced inflammation are often observed after 3 months, with quicker relief from pain and depression symptoms. Some patients may begin to notice improvement within 5 days, especially in symptoms of fatigue and pain. Continuing therapy beyond this initial period is beneficial due to its antioxidant properties, with further positive health implications.

How often

Nurosym is recommended for use twice daily based on clinical research and patient feedback. This regimen ensures optimal energy balancing and nervous system calming.

How long

Users should allocate 30 minutes in the morning and 60 minutes before sleep for Nurosym therapy sessions. Consistency in application is key to achieving desired results.

Results

Positive outcomes from Nurosym therapy may become noticeable within a relatively short timeframe. Many individuals report improvements within days of starting treatment.

Wearable Calmness for Nervous System Regulation

Nurosym is a wearable medical device designed to be worn like an earphone on your ear. It sends pleasant mild electrical signals that stimulate the Vagus Nerve, promoting relaxation and calmness to body & mind.

Similarly to cardiac pacemakers, Nurosym restores nervous system balance by correcting abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Backed by over 50 clinical studies conducted with renowned academic institutions, Nurosym has proven benefits in safely addressing root causes of stress, anxiety, fatigue, sleep issues, pain, gut issues, and more. All without the need for medication or surgery.

Try nurosym
Over 3 million patient sessions to date
No prescription needed
Efficacy validated in +50 Clinical Studies
0 serious adverse events in +50 Clinical Studies
30 day risk-free trial
Certified medical device
Results from only using 15mins/day
Trusted by leading health professionals and experts