Cognitive health

Cognitive health is generally considered a key component of quality of life. Current evidence indicates that a large number of individuals are at a high risk for cognitive impairment from many causes as they age. In order to preserve and enhance positive out-comes by targeted efficient preventive and therapeutic strategies it is important to understand potential mechanisms and predictors of cognitive health and impairment. Withdrawal of vagal (parasympathetic) activity has been proposed as one of the biological pathways involved in cognitive impairment. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) has shown potential as a noninvasive and safe therapeutic treatment due to its direct influence on brain systems involved in cognition. However, the role of vagal modulation in cognitive functioning and impairment and the influence of tVNS, particularly long-term tVNS, on cognition are not yet completely understood. Here the investigators aim to investigate the effect of long-term (14days) intensive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on cognitive functions in relatively healthy young-to-older adults.