Vagal afferent nerve

Vagal afferent nerves are the sensory fibers of the vagus nerve, comprising approximately 80-90% of its axonal content. Their cell bodies reside in the nodose and jugular ganglia, and their peripheral endings innervate visceral organs such as the heart, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Functionally, these fibers detect mechanical, chemical, hormonal, and immune-related stimuli and project centrally to the nucleus of the solitary tract and dorsal vagal complex of the brainstem, where they play key roles in visceral homeostasis, interoception, and autonomic regulation. Vagal afferent signaling contributes to regulation of heart rate, gastrointestinal motility, immune modulation, and even mood states. Disruption of vagal afferent pathways can lead to cardiovascular instability, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and altered emotional behavior. While not a canonical molecular therapeutic target (such as a receptor or enzyme), vagal afferent nerve signaling is the subject of neuromodulatory therapies (such as vagus nerve stimulation) aimed at treating epilepsy, depression, and inflammatory disorders[1][2][3]. "Vagal afferent nerve signaling" refers to a physiological signaling process (not a discrete molecule, receptor, or druggable target) and is therefore not a canonical therapeutic target, but a physiological pathway[1][2][3].

Other names

Vagal afferent fiberVagal sensory neuronVagal afferent

Neuromodulation through electrical/radiofrequency stimulation (e.g., vagus nerve stimulation)