Bioelectronics and Ankylosing Spondylitis
A study in the Netherlands has discovered that by stimulating the vagus nerve in your neck, via an electrical implant, it’s possible to reduce the signals sent by the brain that cause inflammation.
How does it work?
Bioelectronic treatment is a new way of treating problems with the body. Rather than using drugs like anti-inflammatories which can have dangerous side effects, the aim is to interrupt the signals being sent down one of around a hundred thousand fibres in the vagus nerve which connects the brain to the major organs and other parts of the body, thus changing or perhaps deleting the signal sent.
The vagus nerve sends important signals too, so I’m curious as to how it can pin point those signals that are being sent incorrectly to the joints of arthritis sufferers.
A simple surgical procedure involves an incision near the base of the neck, identification of the vagus nerve which is then coupled and connected via wires to a battery powered implant placed under the skin. The user then swipes a magnet over the implant to switch it on and it stays on for something like three minutes.
The results
In this study, published in July this year (2016), around 17 patients in Amsterdam with severe rheumatoid arthritis were given the implant. Two thirds showed a positive reaction to the treatment with reduced inflammation and Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF). TNF being good in certain amounts for healing, but too much can cause inflammation.
Patients were also asked to stop switching on the implant for a period and patients saw their TNF levels rise again. A positive result for the implant.
Great news!
But at my last check up at the rheumatology department about a month ago, I mentioned the TV programme and the technology and asked if they were aware of the development but sadly they weren’t, so maybe not all good news travels fast? They added to my notes that I would interested in the subject should it come up. My next appointment is in November with another rheumatology doctor, so I’ll be asking her what she knows on the subject.
It does strike me as strange that this didn’t appear in some medical newsletter roundup that departments like the one I visit should be subscribed to. It was in a number of national newspapers back around July this year (2016).
So what does the breakthrough in treating arthritis without anti-inflammatory drugs mean for AS?
Well, most importantly it could mean the end of NSAID’s and the risks taking drugs carries, like stomach ulcers. The technology is bound to improve too and become cheaper but how soon will people benefit? In the programme the manufacturers thought with approval from NICE in the UK it could be available in about 4 years time. Well I’m currently 40 years old, so could a pain-free, drug-free existence come about while I’m still in my 40’s?
My kids will still just about be kids by then, so I hope so.
There’s a lot more to read on this so here are some links if you need them.
BBC report referred to above
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/Z9jY9F72t8QWnKD3nfk6Kd/could-an-electronic-implant-switch-off-rheumatoid-arthritis
Deatils about the device from the manufacturer
http://www.setpointmedical.com/index.php/technology/neuromodulation-for-inflammation