Facial Nerve Stimulation As a Future Treatment for Ischemic Stroke

Overview

Journal Brain Circ

Date 2018 Oct 3

PMID 30276294

Citations 13

Authors

Mark K Borsody

Emilio Sacristan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

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.

Citing Articles

Sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation for the treatment of cerebrovascular ischemia.

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Clinically relevant morphometric analysis of pterygopalatine fossa and its volumetric relationship with adjacent paranasal sinuses: a CT-based study.

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Therapeutic Induction of Collateral Flow.

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Stimulating the Facial Nerve to Treat Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review.

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