Vagus nerve stimulation for autoimmune rheumatic diseases

The vagus nerve is the primary parasympathetic nerve of the autonomic nervous system, providing an extensive network of afferent and efferent parasympathetic innervation of the viscera. 1 The vagus nerve comprises a bundle of approximately 80% afferent fibres and 20% efferent fibres, which control essential visceral functions including gastrointestinal motility, secretions, and heart rate. 1 Vagus nerve activity is also a prominent component of several homeostatic axes including the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, the brain–gut axis, and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenergic axis