Introduction
depression
Worldwide, psychosocial stress is an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseasesElevated aldosterone concentrations have been linked to an impaired baroreflex sensitivity, which is another risk factor for cardiovascular diseasesGiven that aldosterone concentrations are increased during stress and depression, tVNS may influence aldosterone secretion due to its reported anti-depressant and stress-relieving effects. Therefore, we performed a post hoc analysis using data from a sham-controlled, cross-over study to explore the effects of acute tVNS on the aldosterone concentrations in both a younger and an older cohort of healthy participants. We hypothesized that the aldosterone concentration decreases upon tVNS intervention in both genders, but not during sham treatment.