Novel Vagus Nerve Signaling to Improve Learning Throughout Adverse Sleep Challenge (NOVEL-TASC)
Abstract
The vagus nerve, a key component of the cross-communication between the gut and the brain, is a major element of homeostasis sensing the Òmilieu intŽrieurÓ; the balance between symbionts and pathobionts that together comprise the gut microbiota. Recent evidence implicates a balanced host gut microbiota as crucial for memory retention, while gut microbiota effects on cognition are dependent on intact vagus nerve signaling. Sleep deprivation and circadian clock misalignment alters microbiota circadian clock gene expression and diversity. Altered gut microbiota influence behavior and learning that potentially highlight an indirect gut microbiota mediated pathway by which sleep deprivation effects memory and behavior. VNS (known to improve slow wave sleep quality) may substantially alter: 1) usual gut microbiota diversity change and 2) reduce learning degradation that occur with sleep deprivation. Degradation of performance under adverse conditions, particularly sleep deprivation, is an immediate human performance factor in military effectiveness. The purpose of this proposal is to explore novel targeted vagus nerve signaling to enhance human learning in the face of adverse conditions such as prolonged sleep deprivation. To complete this task we will determine the efficacy of novel vagal nerve stimulation (nVNS) in working and declarative memory as well as autonomous trust tasks in healthy controls challenged with sleep deprivation. First, UCSD and Farus LLC will build a novel focused ultrasound therapeutic and imaging systems that: 1) can rapidly cycle and spatially steer the focus stimulation spot, and accurately identify (with interleaved recognition imaging) the vagus nerve, therefore avoiding neuronal damage [i.e., Multi-target Focused Ultrasound Vagal Nerve Stimulation (MtFUS-VNS)]. Second, we will compare efficacy of transcutaneous electrical vagal nerve stimulation (tEVNS) versus MtFUS-VNS in healthy controls challenged with sleep deprivation in the following warfighter operationally relevant tasks: 1) in an in MEG short term (working memory) N-back learning task, 2) in a long term (declarative memory) concealed object learning paradigm based on DARWARS Ambush! virtual reality environment task and 3) the Cognitive Command and Control (CogC2) autonomous decision aid and trust task. Who Cares? Sleep deprivation, ubiquitous in active duty warfighters, (up to 41% active military sleep < 5 hours per night), is known to result in unintentional, adverse errors. Rapid and efficient training are imperative to improve working memory and reaction time, both of which are critical to warfighter survival in sleep deprived combat environments. We will create the tEVNS and MtFUS-VNS working memory platform aimed to: 1) improve learning and 2) probe sleep deprivation effects on learning. This work has transformational potential to radically advance learning paradigms to provide a significant sleep-based performance advantage for the US warfighter.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 24, 2020
- Source ID
- W911NF2010027
Entities
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- University of California, San Diego