Potential effects of acute tVNS on inflammatory markers
MCI
Aseptic peripheral venepuncture will be performed 50–60 min following neurocardiovascular and cognitive assessments have been undertaken at all three study visits. 7-10ml of blood will be taken in EDTA Vaccutainers, centrifuged at 3,400 rpm for 10 min at 18 °C and supernatant stored in 1ml aliquots at -80 °C for later analysis. A custom-battery of 12 cytokines and chemokines will be analysed using the MesoScale Discovery (MSD) V-PLEX Electrochemoluminescence assay according to standard protocols and includes: IL-1RA, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17 A, MIP-1 β, IL12p70, IP-10, TNF- α, MCP-1, Eotaxin, IFN- γ based on known associations with MCI in international literature [
Study visit schedule and design