Facial nerve stimulation as a future treatment for ischemic stroke

Autor: Mark K Borsody, Emilio Sacristan
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2016
Předmět:
Zdroj: Brain Circulation, Vol 2, Iss 4, Pp 164-177 (2016)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2455-4626
2394-8108
DOI: 10.4103/2394-8108.195281
Popis: Stimulation of the autonomic parasympathetic fibers of the facial nerve system (hereafter simply "facial nerve") rapidly dilates the cerebral arteries and increases cerebral blood flow whether that stimulation is delivered at the facial nerve trunk or at distal points such as the sphenopalatine ganglion. Facial nerve stimulation thus could be used as an emergency treatment of conditions of brain ischemia such as ischemic stroke. A rich history of scientific research has examined this property of the facial nerve, and various means of activating the facial nerve can be employed including noninvasive means. Herein, we review the anatomical and physiological research behind facial nerve stimulation and the facial nerve stimulation devices that are in development for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals