Effect of aging on vagus somatosensory evoked potentials and ultrasonographic parameters of the vagus nerve.

Vagus somatosensory evoked potentials (VSEP) and ultrasonography can be used to detect functional and structural changes of the vagus nerve (VN) that are hypothesized to be associated with neurodegenerative diseases. However, it has not yet been established whether age-related changes in the VN occur in the healthy population. In this pilot study we included healthy volunteers in the 26-30 and 51-55 age range who comprised the younger (n = 20) and older (n = 20) groups, respectively.