Chronic abdominal vagus stimulation increased brain metabolic connectivity, reduced striatal dopamine transporter and increased mid-brain serotonin transporter in obese miniature pigs.

Our findings demonstrated that aVNS reduced weight gain as a consequence of diminished daily food intake and increased resting energy expenditure. These changes were associated with enhanced connectivity between several brain areas. A lower striatal DAT together with a doubled mid-brain SERT were likely causative for these changes.