Chronic VNS reduces synaptic efficacy of IC neurons. Nerve fibers synapsing with the IC neurons were stimulated via an extracellular concentric electrode (0.1–10 V, 2 ms) for 2 s at frequencies of 5, 10, 20, and 30 Hz. Values are means ± SE from ∼30 cells for each condition. *P < 0.05, control vs. PO; #P < 0.05, control vs. PO + LCV; +P < 0.05, PO vs. PO + RCV; $P < 0.05, PO + LCV vs. PO + RCV (by ANOVA followed by Newman-Keuls post hoc analysis).