Brain signals after a heart attack can worsen recovery, mouse study shows
Silencing specific vagus nerve sensory cells and lowering inflammation in a connected neck ganglion improved heart function and reduced scarring after heart attacks in mice, pointing to new treatment targets while noting translation to humans will take time.
- TRPV1 positive sensory neurons in the vagus nerve become more active near damaged heart tissue after a heart attack.
- Silencing those neurons in mice improved pumping function, electrical stability, and reduced scar size.
- Heartbeat injury signals travel to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and then to the superior cervical ganglion in the neck.
- The superior cervical ganglion becomes inflamed after a heart attack, and reducing that inflammation improved cardiac repair in mice.
- Results come from mouse experiments and require more work before they can be applied to people.
- Potential future strategies include vagus nerve stimulation, gene-based targeting, or immune-focused therapies.