Bahçelioğlu M. (Executive), Ömeroğlu S., Bukan N., Akarca Dizakar S. Ö., Gözil R., Alim E., et al.
Project Supported by Higher Education Institutions, 2020 - 2023
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by social interaction and behavior disorders nowadays. Animal models commonly used in ASD research are focused on the molecular, cellular and behavioral characteristics of ASD. The frequency of interviews of these disorders has increased considerably, and 1 in every 40 children is diagnosed with ASD. This increase cannot be explained only by the improvement of diagnostic methods. A complex interaction of environmental and genetic factors such as chemicals, viral infections and stress (during pregnancy and early development) is thought to play a role in the etiology of autism. Although there is no specific treatment for ASD yet, there are interventional studies causing its symptoms to decrease positively. One of them is “vagal nerve stimulation”. The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve that starts bilaterally from the brainstem and bends and loops widely in the neck, thorax and abdomen. It establishes a reciprocal link between the entire gastrointestinal tract, -including the pharynx, larynx, trachea, esophagus, stomach,- heart, aorta, lungs, liver, pancreas, spleen and the brain. The vagus nerve connects specific sensors and effectors in the periphery to the central nervous system. Connections through the vagus nerve include projections toward the hypothalamus and cortex as higher brain regions, allowing the vagus nerve to modularly access the subcortical and cortical brain areas. Therefore, signals produced in the vagus nerve are of great importance in terms of affecting a wide range of basic brain functions and protecting the whole organism. The outer ear (auricula externa) is the only place in the body where it sends the peripheral branch of the vagus nerve. In fact, the auricular branch of the nervus vagus forms the surface as afferent auricular (aVN), thereby creating a cutaneous receptor area in the auricle's ear. This area is sensitive to external stimuli in terms of peripheral nerve stimulation. Auricular vagus nerve stimulation is a peripheral, non-pharmacological and minimally invasive neuromodulation technique. It activates reflex circuits in the central nervous system, uses brain plasticity for different therapeutic purposes and thus affects many different areas of the brain. In our study, changes in various nervous system sections and effects of vagus nerve stimulation on these changes will be revealed in puppies developed autism model by experimental methods. In this way, the possible effects of non-invasive methods on the nervous system, which can be applied in individuals with ASD who still have vagal nerve stimulation with invasive methods, will be investigated. |