Table 1 Conduction velocity, diameter, and functional classification of different fiber types (Gasser 1941; Manzano et al. 2008), along with proposed VNS physiological responses as considered in this work
From: Using neural biomarkers to personalize dosing of vagus nerve stimulation
Fiber type | Conduction velocity range (m/s) | Fiber diameter (\(\upmu\)m) | Functional classification | Proposed physiological response to VNS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
A\(\alpha\)-fibers | 70-120 m/s | 12-22 \(\upmu\)m | Motor efferent | Innervate laryngeal muscles |
A\(\beta\)-fibers | 30-70 m/s | 5-12 \(\upmu\)m | Sensory afferent | Activate laryngeal muscles |
A\(\gamma\)-fibers | 15-30 m/s | 2-8 \(\upmu\)m | Motor efferent | Affects heart rate and breathing |
A\(\delta\)-fibers | 5-30 m/s | 1-5 \(\upmu\)m | Sensory afferent | Affects heart rate and breathing, nociception |
B-fibers | 3-15 m/s | \(<3\ \upmu\)m | Parasympathetic efferent | Induce bradycardia |
C-fibers | 0.6-2.0 m/s | 0.1-1.3 \(\upmu\)m | Visceral sensory afferent | Baroreceptor signaling to the brain |