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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2020 Jan 1.
Published in final edited form as: Brain Stimul. 2018 Sep 21;12(1):9–18. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2018.09.013

Figure 6. Dual benefits of VNS.

Figure 6.

Cognitive enhancers show promise as adjuncts to exposurebased therapies; however, most pharmaceutical enhancers of cognition do not improve tolerability of the therapy by reducing anxiety. Anxiolytic drugs may improve tolerability but they are not effective, possibly because they interfere with the consolidation of new extinction memories. However, VNS enhances memory consolidation and accelerates extinction, and it also reduces anxiety. This unique combination of effects suggests that VNS may offer a desirable alternative to drugs as an adjunct therapy.