透過每日深入觀察與先進科學,解鎖自我修復力量
研究前沿:耳廓迷走神經刺激與快感缺失
引言:研究問題 快感缺失(anhedonia)是指體驗愉悅、興趣或享受的能力明顯降低或喪失。它常表現為對原本具有獎賞感的活動失去興趣,例如飲食、社交互動、娛樂、性行為或成就。在抑鬱狀態下,人們也可能更難為潛在獎賞投入努力、從回饋中學習,或在結果不確定時做出正向選擇。2026 年發表於 Journal of Psychiatric Research 的一項研究,探討經皮耳廓迷走神經刺激(taVNS)是否會影響這些不同的獎賞相關歷程,同時測量心率變異性(HRV)與自我回報的焦慮程度。 這是一項單次療程、隨機交叉研究。研究發現,在抑鬱症狀較高的參與者中,taVNS 對「願意為獎賞付出努力」的影響較為明顯。它並未改善獎賞學習,而自律神經反應則會依據基線 HRV 與抑鬱症狀而有所不同。這些結果顯示,taVNS 的作用可能受到生理與心理基線狀態影響。 背景:快感缺失的不同組成 與抑鬱相關的快感缺失包含多個不同歷程,包括獎賞反應、獎賞學習、獎賞價值評估,以及以努力為基礎的決策。若將這些歷程全部視為單一的「愉悅感」指標,就很難判斷某項介入究竟影響了哪一個部分。 因此,研究人員採用了兩項行為任務。機率獎賞任務(Probabilistic Reward Task,PRT)用來評估參與者是否會逐漸偏好較常獲得獎賞的刺激。獎賞努力支出任務(Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task,EEfRT)則要求參與者在「低努力、較小獎賞」與「高努力、較大獎賞」之間做選擇。它反映的是一個很實際的問題:這個獎賞是否值得付出相應的努力。 迷走神經相關路徑參與動機調節與獎賞處理,但過去 taVNS...
Sep 18 2026
World Physiotherapy Day 2026: How taVNS May Support Stroke Rehabilitation and Neuroplasticity
September 8 marks World Physiotherapy Day—a global opportunity to recognize the professionals who help people restore movement, rebuild confidence, and regain independence. The theme...
Sep 10 2026
Why Is the Cymba Conchae Considered a Promising Site for Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation?
Why does a tiny hollow on the ear hold the key to vagus nerve stimulation? The cymba conchae stands out as the premier target...
Sep 09 2026
World's First Comprehensive Human Vagus Nerve Atlas: New Coordinates for Precision Neuromodulation
World's First Comprehensive Human Vagus Nerve Atlas: New Coordinates for Precision Neuromodulation Introduction: A Tribute to the Donors On July 27, 2026, the Feinstein...
Aug 11 2026
Is It Really the Prefrontal Cortex — or a Doorway Into a Safety Zone and Calmer Nervous System?
A small sleep ritual has been spreading quickly online: place a hand on the forehead before bed, and sleep may come more easily. The...
Jul 23 2026
Vagus Nerve Regulation and taVNS for World Cup Athletes: Optimizing Stress, Sleep, Performance and Recovery
World Cup Pressure, Peak Performance, and the Nervous System When the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across 16 stadiums in the United States,...
Jul 16 2026
Pets Need Calm. So Do the People Who Care for Them
A small story behind this blog This blog actually began with a late-night message exchange between me and Sam. I had just moved back...
Jul 07 2026
When Heat Becomes a Nervous System Stressor
Across Europe, rising temperatures are no longer just an inconvenience. For many people, extreme heat has become a full-body stressor that affects sleep, mood,...
Jun 29 2026