Passion Struck with John R. Miles Dr. Kevin Tracey on How the Vagus Nerve Fights Rheumatoid Arthritis | EP 650
Aug 14, 2025
Dr. Kevin Tracey, a renowned neurosurgeon and president of the Feinstein Institutes, discusses the groundbreaking role of the vagus nerve in regulating inflammation. He highlights its potential in treating autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis through innovative neurostimulation techniques. The conversation dives into the FDA-approved vagus nerve implant and its implications for patients who have struggled with traditional treatments. They also explore connections between vagus nerve health, trauma, and mental well-being, presenting a hopeful future for bioelectronic medicine.
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Laboratory Surprise Sparked The Field
- An unexpected lab result showed brain anti-inflammatory treatment also stopped body inflammation in animals.
- That led Tracey to discover the brain sends anti-inflammatory signals via the vagus nerve.
Reflex Circuits Maintain Homeostasis
- The vagus nerve carries bidirectional signals that form reflex arcs regulating breathing, heart rate, digestion, and more.
- These reflexes operate automatically to maintain homeostasis without conscious control.
Vagus Fibers Are Highly Specialized
- Different functions use small, distinct subsets of vagus fibers; breathing may use ~100 fibers in mice while many others do different jobs.
- Activating one branch (e.g., voice) doesn't imply global vagus activation.
