The efficacy of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for patients with mild cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms: A case report and fMRI study

Abstract

This case report details a patient diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment concurrently exhibiting depressive symptoms and undergoing 24 weeks of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation therapy. After the 24-week treatment, the patient demonstrated notable improvement in both cognitive function and mood. Simultaneously, significant alterations were observed in the patient's temporal pole and medial orbitofrontal gyrus, regions associated with cognition and emotion. Furthermore, the patient continued to maintain a favorable status throughout the follow-up period. Therefore, transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation may be a potential treatment for patients with mild cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms.