Eczema: The Itch That Rewrites Daily Life and the Images That Tell Its Story

If you've ever watched a baby scratch relentlessly at their own skin, or seen an adult with raw, cracked hands try to explain why they can't simply "stop itching," you already understand something essential about eczema: it is far more disruptive than it looks, and it looks different on everyone. Formally known as atopic dermatitis, eczema affects an estimated 230 million people worldwide — making it one of the most prevalent chronic skin conditions on the planet. And yet, for all its reach, it remains one of the most visually underserved topics in medical publishing. That gap is closing fast, and the demand for accurate, diverse, clinically credible imagery has never been greater.

Eczema — Atopic Dermatitis Stock Images

What Is Eczema? The Short Version

• Chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, inflamed skin that flares and remits over time

• Not contagious, caused by a combination of genetic, immune, and environmental factors that compromise the skin's barrier function

• Approximately 50% of cases begin during the first year of life and 85% by age five, but it can develop or persist at any age, including in older adults

• Affects all skin tones, ages, and body types, but presents very differently depending on skin tone, age, and body location

• Common presentation sites include the inner elbows, backs of knees, hands, face, neck, and scalp, though it can appear anywhere

• Part of the "atopic triad": eczema frequently occurs alongside asthma and allergic rhinitis, reflecting its systemic immune roots

• Symptoms range from mild dryness and irritation to severe, widespread inflammation that disrupts sleep, work, and quality of life

Eczema in Context: Who Gets It and Why It's Undercovered

Eczema on the neck of an 89 year old female patient. © Dr. P. Marazzi / Science Source

• Prevalence rates in the US are estimated at 8% to 18% in children and up to 10% in adults, making it one of the most common conditions a medical publisher will ever need to illustrate

• Disproportionately affects urban populations and higher-income countries, though the reasons remain an active area of research

• Despite its prevalence, eczema has been chronically underrepresented in medical imagery, particularly in children and across diverse skin tones

• On darker skin, eczema may appear brown, violet, or gray rather than the classic red, and lichenification (skin thickening from chronic scratching) can be more pronounced, distinctions that are clinically meaningful and visually distinct

• Significant stigma around visible skin conditions, combined with the particular sensitivity around photographing infants and children, has historically made quality eczema photography scarce

• Growing patient advocacy and regulatory pressure for diverse representation in medical education are driving urgent demand for imagery that reflects real patient populations

A Treatment Revolution — Still in Progress

Eczema on a three-year-old girl's legs. © Dr P. Marazzi / Science Source

Eczema was once managed almost exclusively with moisturizers, topical corticosteroids, and broad immunosuppressants that had significant long-term side effects. The past decade has brought a remarkable transformation:

• Dupilumab (approved 2017) — the first biologic approved for atopic dermatitis, targeting the IL-4 and IL-13 pathways, it changed the standard of care for moderate to severe disease and opened the door to a new era of targeted therapy

• Lebrikizumab (approved 2024) — an IL-13 inhibitor with a monthly maintenance dosing schedule after an initial loading phase, making it the most convenient long-term biologic option currently available

• Nemolizumab (approved December 2024) — the first biologic to specifically target IL-31, the key cytokine responsible for the intense itching that is often more debilitating than the visible rash itself

• JAK inhibitors — oral and topical options (abrocitinib, upadacitinib, ruxolitinib) providing additional pathways for patients who don't respond to biologics

• Ongoing clinical trials continue to identify new immune targets, making atopic dermatitis one of the most active areas in all of dermatology publishing

Each new approval generates a fresh wave of pharmaceutical communications, patient education materials, continuing medical education content, and journal coverage — all of which require current, accurate, licensable imagery.

Why Accurate Eczema Imagery Matters for Publishers

Atopic dermatitis on the back of a black male patient. © Richard Usatine Md / Science Source

Eczema is deceptively difficult to illustrate well. The condition is highly variable and deeply personal, carrying an emotional weight that generic imagery consistently fails to capture.

Childhood Eczema Gallery

• Age range is critical: eczema in infants looks nothing like eczema in adults, and pediatric imagery requires particular care around model releases and sensitivity

• Skin tone diversity is non-negotiable: the clinical presentation differs significantly across skin tones, and educational materials that show only one presentation do a disservice to patients and clinicians alike

• Body location matters: inner elbows and knees are the classic teaching images, but hands, face, scalp, and eyelids are all common sites with distinct visual and editorial needs

• Severity spectrum: mild, moderate, and severe presentations serve entirely different publishing contexts, from consumer health magazines to clinical dermatology journals to pharmaceutical approval submissions

• The itch is invisible: medical illustration plays an essential role in explaining the immune cascade, skin barrier dysfunction, and nerve pathway involvement that drives the itch-scratch cycle; photography alone cannot tell this story

• Complications require their own imagery: eczema herpeticum (a serious viral complication), infected eczema, and contact dermatitis overlapping with atopic dermatitis all represent distinct clinical scenarios with real publishing demand

What Science Source Brings to the Table

Science Source offers one of the most extensive eczema and atopic dermatitis collections available for licensing, built specifically to serve the needs of medical publishers, pharmaceutical communicators, and healthcare educators.

• Clinical photography spanning infants, children, and adults — including model-released images across a range of ages, skin tones, and body locations

• Images documenting mild through severe presentations, including eczema herpeticum and other complications

• Diverse skin tone representation, including clinical photography on darker skin tones where the condition's presentation differs meaningfully from textbook imagery

• Medical illustrations explaining skin barrier dysfunction, immune pathway involvement, and the mechanisms targeted by modern biologic therapies

• A knowledgeable picture research team is available to help you find exactly what your project needs. No obligation

Severe Eczema Clinical Gallery

(Intended for medical, educational, and publishing professionals; images depict significant disease progression)

Whether you're producing a patient education brochure, a pharmaceutical campaign for a new biologic, a pediatric dermatology textbook, or a continuing medical education module, the visual demands of covering eczema are specific, and the stakes for accurate representation are high. Science Source has the depth, the diversity, and the scientific credibility to support that work at every level.

Questions? Our team is here to help. Contact us

A Comprehensive Resource for Psoriasis Visuals

For more than 2,500 years, physicians have been trying to understand psoriasis. Ancient Egyptian medical texts described skin conditions that may have been psoriasis. Greek physicians later gave the disease its name, derived from psora, meaning itch. For centuries, psoriasis was confused with other skin disorders, including leprosy, reflecting just how little was known about the condition.

Today, psoriasis is recognized as a chronic immune mediated disease that affects an estimated 125 million people worldwide. Yet despite its prevalence, psoriasis remains widely misunderstood. It is often dismissed as a cosmetic issue when, in reality, it can affect multiple body systems, impact mental health, and significantly reduce quality of life.

As awareness grows and treatment options continue to expand, publishers, healthcare communicators, educators, and pharmaceutical companies need visual content that accurately reflects the many faces of psoriasis. A single image cannot tell the whole story.

What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to mistakenly accelerate skin cell production. Instead of shedding and renewing over the course of several weeks, skin cells accumulate in just a few days, creating thickened areas of inflamed skin known as plaques.

The condition is not contagious and can affect people of all ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds.

There are five major forms of psoriasis, each with a distinct appearance:

• Plaque psoriasis: The most common form, characterized by raised, scaly patches that often appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back.

• Guttate psoriasis: Small, drop shaped lesions that frequently develop after infections such as strep throat.

• Inverse psoriasis: Smooth, inflamed patches found in skin folds, including the underarms and groin.

• Pustular psoriasis: White pustules surrounded by reddened skin.

• Erythrodermic psoriasis: A rare but serious form that can affect large areas of the body and may require urgent medical care.

Psoriasis typically follows a cycle of flare ups and periods of remission. Symptoms may improve for months or even years before returning.

The disease also extends beyond the skin. Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory joint condition that can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and long term joint damage. For many patients, psoriasis is a systemic disease rather than simply a skin disorder.

Psoriasis Clinical Photography and Medical Illustration

Psoriasis in Context: Who Gets It and Why It’s Undercovered

Psoriatic arthritis affects far more than the skin. This illustration shows characteristic symptoms, including joint inflammation, nail changes, and dactylitis — the distinctive finger and toe swelling that signals the disease has moved beyond the surface symptoms. © Evan Oto / Science Source

Psoriasis affects an estimated 125 million people worldwide, including about 8 million people in the United States. While it can develop at any age, it is most often diagnosed during two peak periods, in a person’s 20s and again in their 50s.

Despite its prevalence, psoriasis has historically been underrepresented in medical media and educational imagery. Stigma surrounding visible skin conditions can make patients less likely to participate in photography and awareness campaigns. Dermatology photography has also long lacked representation across diverse skin tones, even though psoriasis may appear quite differently on darker skin, often presenting as violet, gray, or brown rather than red.

As publishers, healthcare organizations, and advocacy groups work to address these gaps, demand is growing for more accurate, inclusive, and compassionate visual representation. Better imagery not only reflects the diversity of patients living with psoriasis, it also supports improved education, awareness, and diagnosis.

A New Era of Psoriasis Treatment

The treatment landscape for psoriasis has changed dramatically over the past two decades.

Traditional therapies such as topical corticosteroids, moisturizers, phototherapy, and systemic medications continue to play important roles in treatment. However, advances in immunology have transformed care for many patients with moderate to severe disease.

Biologic therapies have been particularly significant. These injectable medications target specific components of the immune system, including TNF alpha, IL 17, and IL 23 pathways. By focusing on precise immune mechanisms, biologics can dramatically reduce symptoms while improving long term disease management.

Newer oral medications, including JAK inhibitors and other targeted therapies, are providing additional options for patients, especially those with psoriatic arthritis.

For healthcare communicators, this rapid pace of innovation creates a constant need for current, scientifically accurate visual content.

Why Accurate Psoriasis Imagery Matters

Psoriasis presents unique challenges for publishers because there is no single image that represents the condition.

A patient education brochure, a dermatology textbook, a pharmaceutical marketing campaign, and a clinical journal article may all require very different visual approaches.

Skin Tone Representation

Psoriasis on the ankles of an adult patient. On deeper skin tones, psoriasis may appear violet or brown rather than red — a distinction that makes diverse clinical photography essential for accurate medical education. © SPL / Science Source

Psoriasis can appear differently depending on skin tone. While inflammation often appears red on lighter skin, it may appear violet, gray, brown, or darker than the surrounding skin in people with more melanin. Diverse clinical photography helps ensure that educational materials accurately reflect real patient populations.

Disease Severity

The visual appearance of mild psoriasis differs dramatically from severe disease. Publishers often need imagery spanning a broad spectrum of presentations, from localized plaques to extensive body involvement.

Body Location

Psoriasis affects many areas of the body, including the scalp, nails, hands, feet, face, and skin folds. Different locations create different visual and educational needs.

Psoriatic Arthritis

As awareness grows regarding the systemic nature of psoriasis, demand is increasing for imagery that illustrates joint involvement. Clinical photographs, diagnostic imaging, and anatomical illustrations help tell a more complete story of the disease.

Psoriatic Arthritis Photography and Medical Illustrations

Medical Illustration

Photography alone cannot explain the complex immune processes underlying psoriasis. Medical illustrations remain essential for textbooks, patient education materials, pharmaceutical communications, and scientific publications. Cross sections of skin, immune pathway diagrams, and treatment mechanism illustrations help make complex concepts accessible.

Historical Context

For academic publishing, long form journalism, and documentary projects, historical medical illustrations and archival photography provide valuable context. These materials help trace how understanding and treatment of psoriasis have evolved over time.

A Comprehensive Resource for Psoriasis Visuals

Science Source offers a broad collection of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis imagery for healthcare, educational, and publishing projects. The collection includes clinical photography across a range of disease severities, body locations, skin tones, and patient demographics, along with diagnostic imaging, medical illustrations, and historical artwork. From patient education materials and clinical journals to pharmaceutical communications and medical textbooks, these visuals help accurately represent the many ways psoriasis affects the body. Science Source provides the depth, diversity, and scientific accuracy needed to tell a more complete story of this complex disease.

Severe Psoriasis: Clinical Image Gallery — These images are intended for medical, educational, and publishing use and depict significant disease progression

Visualizing Fragile X Syndrome

Under the microscope, it appears as a thread on the verge of breaking. A narrow constriction near the tip of the X chromosome's long arm. This distinctive chromosomal feature, known as a "fragile site," gave Fragile X syndrome its name and provided one of the earliest visual clues to a disorder that would transform our understanding of genetics, neurodevelopment, and inherited intellectual disability.

Today, Fragile X syndrome remains the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and one of the most common known single gene causes of autism spectrum disorder. While diagnosis has moved from the cytogenetics laboratory to molecular genetic testing, visual representations of the disorder continue to play a vital role in medical education, scientific publishing, and patient communication.

What Is Fragile X Syndrome?

Fragile X syndrome is an X-linked genetic disorder caused by an expansion of CGG trinucleotide repeats within the FMR1 (Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1) gene on the X chromosome. In unaffected individuals, the gene typically contains fewer than 45 CGG repeats. When the repeat expansion exceeds approximately 200 copies, a full mutation, the gene becomes hypermethylated and transcriptionally silenced.

The loss of FMR1 expression results in a deficiency of fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein (FMRP), an RNA-binding protein essential for synaptic development, neuronal plasticity, and normal cognitive function. Without sufficient FMRP, neural circuits develop differently, contributing to the cognitive, behavioral, and developmental features associated with the condition.

Fragile X syndrome affects an estimated 1 in 4,000–7,000 males and approximately 1 in 6,000–11,000 females worldwide. Because males possess only one X chromosome, they are generally more severely affected, whereas females often exhibit a broader range of clinical outcomes due to X-chromosome inactivation.

Gallery of Fragile X Syndrome visuals available for licensing.

The Challenge of Visualizing a Variable Disorder

Fragile X syndrome presents with remarkable clinical variability. Some individuals experience mild learning disabilities, while others have significant intellectual impairment, developmental delays, autism spectrum features, anxiety, attention deficits, sensory sensitivities, or social communication challenges.

Medical literature frequently describes characteristic physical findings, including an elongated face, prominent ears, a high-arched palate, and, after puberty in males, macroorchidism. Yet no single photograph can fully represent the diversity of people living with Fragile X syndrome.

Fragile X Phenotype

A medical illustration describing common physical and cognitive traits. © Monica Schroeder / Science Source

More Information

This variability highlights the importance of scientifically accurate medical illustrations, infographics, and educational graphics. Well-designed visuals can communicate core clinical and genetic concepts without implying that every individual shares the same appearance or experiences the same symptoms.

From Cytogenetics to Molecular Genetics

The syndrome's name originates from a striking cytogenetic observation. When cells were cultured under specific laboratory conditions, researchers observed a constriction or apparent break at Xq27.3, the chromosomal location of the FMR1 gene. For many years, identifying this fragile site was an important diagnostic technique.

Today, molecular testing has largely replaced cytogenetic methods. DNA based assays can determine CGG repeat number, identify methylation patterns, and distinguish between normal, intermediate, premutation, and full-mutation alleles with far greater accuracy.

As diagnostic technologies have evolved, so too have the images used to explain the disorder. Contemporary educational materials increasingly rely on molecular diagrams, chromosome illustrations, gene maps, repeat-expansion graphics, and pathway based visualizations that help readers understand the underlying biology.

Why High-Quality Fragile X Visuals Matter

Chromsome Map

An illustration showing the location of the FMR1 gene on a human chromosome. © Monica Schroeder / Science Source

More Information

For publishers, educators, and healthcare communicators, Fragile X syndrome presents a unique visual challenge: conveying complex genetic mechanisms while accurately representing a highly variable human condition.

Medical textbooks require imagery that reflects current scientific understanding. Continuing education materials benefit from graphics that clarify inheritance patterns and molecular mechanisms. Genetic counseling resources rely on visuals that make abstract genomic concepts more accessible to patients and families.

The most effective imagery does more than illustrate a diagnosis. It provides context, communicates scientific accuracy, and supports learning without oversimplification or sensationalism.

Sourcing Scientifically Accurate Fragile X Syndrome Imagery

When selecting visual content, accuracy should extend beyond aesthetics. Chromosomal diagrams should correctly identify the FMR1 locus at Xq27.3. Molecular illustrations should accurately depict CGG repeat expansion and gene silencing. Clinical imagery should be accompanied by an appropriate context that reflects the condition's broad phenotypic spectrum.

For scientific publishers, healthcare organizations, and educational institutions, the professionally curated stock imagery at Science Source offers an efficient alternative to unverified online sources. Carefully reviewed medical illustrations, infographics, and research-based visual assets help ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance with publication standards.

As our understanding of Fragile X syndrome continues to evolve, the need for precise, evidence-based visual communication grows alongside it. Whether illustrating a chromosome, a molecular pathway, or the lived experience of affected individuals, high-quality imagery remains an essential tool for translating complex genetics into meaningful understanding.

Grace Hopper and the First Computer Bug: A Legendary Legacy

Did you know that the first instance of “debugging” a computer involved an actual insect? In 1947, engineers working on the Mark II computer at Harvard University discovered a moth trapped in a relay, causing a malfunction. Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist, recorded the incident in the logbook—coining the now-famous term “debugging.” Ever since, “debugging” has become a standard part of computer science vocabulary.

Grace Hopper, affectionately known as “Amazing Grace,” achieved numerous milestones in computer science. She was the first to use a compiler to translate English into computer code, making programming more accessible. Hopper invented COBOL, one of the first and most influential programming languages still in use today, and she played a key role in developing the UNIVAC—the first commercially produced computer designed for business and data processing.

Gallery of Grace Hopper Images

Hopper’s academic journey was equally impressive. She earned her Ph.D. in mathematics and mathematical physics from Yale University and taught at Vassar College. During World War II, she sought to join the WAVES, the women’s branch of the U.S. Naval Reserve. Though her mathematical talents were deemed too valuable for typical service, she was granted a special commission and assigned to the Bureau of Ships Computation Project at Harvard as a lieutenant, junior grade.

Grace Hopper’s distinguished career continued for decades. She finally retired at the age of 79 as a Rear Admiral, making her the oldest active-duty officer in the U.S. Navy at the time. Her groundbreaking work was recognized with many honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

From the first computer “bug” to revolutionizing how we communicate with machines, Grace Hopper’s legacy continues to inspire generations of scientists, engineers, and innovators.

ScienceSource.com is here to provide you with the visual resources you need for your science communication. Whether it’s historical or cutting-edge, we’re here for you.

Reprogramming the Body to Fight Cancer: The Promise of CAR T-Cell Therapy

What if your own immune cells could be trained to recognize and destroy cancer?

This is no longer a futuristic idea—it’s happening right now.

In 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved CAR T-cell therapy, a groundbreaking treatment often described as a “living drug.” Since then, more than 35,000 patients have received it, offering new hope where traditional therapies have failed.

GALLERY OF CAR T-CELL THERAPY IMAGES

How It Works

CAR T-cell therapy harnesses the power of your immune system in a highly personalized way:

First, doctors collect a blood sample and isolate T-cells—white blood cells that play a central role in immune defense. In the lab, these cells are genetically modified to produce Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs), which allow them to recognize specific cancer cells.

Once reprogrammed, the cells are multiplied and infused back into the patient’s body. From there, they actively seek out and destroy cancer cells with precision.

A Targeted Approach

Unlike chemotherapy, which can damage healthy cells along with cancerous ones, CAR T-cell therapy is designed to target only cancer cells. This precision reduces collateral damage and can lead to more effective outcomes.

The therapy has shown particular success in treating blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma—especially in patients who have not responded to standard treatments.

Long-Term Impact

One of the most exciting aspects of CAR T-cell therapy is its potential durability. Many patients experience remission lasting three to four years, with some cases extending up to nine years and beyond.

With advances in CRISPR, these therapies are becoming increasingly precise and effective. Researchers are now expanding their use beyond blood cancers to target solid tumors such as breast, prostate, and sarcomas, with ongoing development for challenging conditions including glioblastoma, melanoma, liver cancers, and even certain autoimmune diseases.

A New Era in Cancer Treatment

CAR T-cell therapy represents a fundamental shift in how we approach cancer—from broadly attacking the disease to precisely engineering the body’s own defenses.

What was once rapidly fatal can now, in some cases, be managed for years—or even decades.

Explore the Science Visually
View compelling micrographs of CAR T-cells attacking cancer, alongside detailed illustrations and diagrams that bring this process to life at Science Source. Our collection of medical imagery is supported by accurate, robust metadata—helping educators, researchers, and communicators tell these powerful stories with clarity and credibility.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy.

Engineered receptor (light blue) on the surface of a T-lymphocyte bind specifically to CD19-antigen molecules (red) on a leukemia cell. © Juan Gaertner / Science Source

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Diagram of the (CAR) T-cell Therapy Process

A diagrammatic illustration of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. The process begins with the extraction of blood from the patient. Through leukapheresis, T-cells are isolated. © Monica Schroeder / Science Source

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T-cells Surrounding an Apoptotic Hela Cervical Cancer Cell.

Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of T-cells (small round) and an apoptotic cervical cancer cell (HeLa). T-cells are a component of the body's immune system. © Steve Gschmeissner / Science Source

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How Marie Curie Saved Lives, Women's History Month

She Developed Mobile X-Rays to Save Lives in World War I

When people think of Marie Curie, they often think of her Nobel Prize–winning discoveries in radioactivity. But one of her most impactful contributions came during World War I, when she helped bring X-ray imaging directly to the battlefield.

At the time, doctors struggled to locate bullets and shrapnel in wounded soldiers. Surgery was often slow, imprecise, and life-threatening.

Curie changed that.

GALLERY OF MARIE CURIE STOCK HISTORY CONTENT

She developed mobile radiography units— later known as “Little Curies”—that could travel to field hospitals. These vehicles allowed doctors to see inside the body in real time, dramatically improving treatment and survival rates.

A Mother and Daughter on the Front Lines

Curie’s work became a family mission. Her daughter, Irène Joliot-Curie, joined her in operating the X-ray units and training others.

Together, they established radiology programs, equipped over 200 units, and trained technicians—many of them women—to use this new technology under wartime conditions.

It’s estimated that more than a million soldiers benefited from these mobile X-ray services.

A Lasting Medical Legacy

Today, X-ray imaging is a standard diagnostic tool around the world. Curie’s wartime innovation helped transform it from a scientific discovery into a practical, life-saving medical technology.

Her legacy is not only in what she discovered—but in how she applied science to save lives.

Explore the Story Through Visual History

At Science Source, we offer a vast collection of scientific, medical, and historical stock imagery that brings stories like this to life. From early radiology equipment to archival images of wartime medicine, our collection helps educators, publishers, and creators illustrate the human impact of scientific breakthroughs.

Explore our history collection to discover powerful visuals that connect science, medicine, and real-world events.

World War I French field hospital locating bullet with x-ray machine.

During World War I, Marie Curie developed mobile radiography units, called Little Curies, to provide X-ray services to field hospitals. Stereograph, Keystone View Company, c. 1915. ©Science Source

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A Petite Curie, Marie Curie's Mobile X-ray Unit.

Marie Curie developed mobile radiography units, called Petite (Little) Curies, to provide X-ray services to field hospitals © Science Source

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Marie Curie and Her Daughter, Irene.

Irene and Marie Curie operating a mobile X-ray machine at Hoogstade Hospital in Belgium in 1915, during World War I. Together, they trained numerous technicians and saved the lives of thousands of injured soldiers. © Science Source

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The Vagus Nerve: Hype, Science, and Clinical Reality

The vagus nerve has recently become a popular topic in wellness media and social platforms, often promoted as a newly discovered key to health and longevity. But what is the vagus nerve, and what does medical science actually say about its role in human health?

The brain contains 12 pairs of cranial nerves, which emerge directly from the brain and brainstem. Most cranial nerves serve sensory or motor functions in the head and neck such as vision, hearing, smell, and facial movement. The vagus nerve is different.

GALLERY OF VAGUS NERVE STOCK IMAGES

Extending from the brainstem into the chest and abdomen, the vagus nerve plays a central role in regulating the autonomic nervous system (ANS). This system controls involuntary body functions such as:

• Heart rate

• Breathing

• Blood pressure

• Digestion, including enzyme secretion and peristalsis

• Communication between the gut and brain

The autonomic nervous system has two primary branches:

• The sympathetic nervous system (SNS), often described as the “fight-or-flight” response

• The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which supports “rest-and-digest” functions

The vagus nerve is the primary driver of parasympathetic activity, helping maintain internal balance, or homeostasis.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Evidence-Based Applications

Despite sweeping wellness claims suggesting vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a cure-all, clinical applications are more limited.

Physicians have used implantable vagus nerve stimulators, devices similar in appearance to cardiac pacemakers, for decades. These devices deliver controlled electrical impulses to the nerve and are typically prescribed when conventional treatments have proven insufficient.

Currently, VNS therapy is most commonly used for:

• Drug-resistant epilepsy

• Treatment-resistant depression

• Stroke rehabilitation support

Ongoing research continues to explore its broader therapeutic potential, but its clinical use remains carefully regulated and condition-specific.

Medical Imaging for Emerging Therapies

As conversations around neuromodulation and autonomic regulation continue to grow, access to accurate, high-quality medical imagery is essential for educators, publishers, and healthcare communicators.

Science Source offers extensive medical and scientific stock photography—from traditional healthcare procedures to advanced treatments, including implantable vagus nerve stimulators and neurological therapies. Flexible licensing options, including subscriptions, are available to meet editorial and commercial needs.

X-ray, Vagus Nerve Stimulator

Chest X-ray showing a vagus nerve stimulator for epilepsy. © Scott Camazine / Science Source

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Cranial Nerves, Medical Illustration

The brain from an inferior (basal) view showing the twelve pairs of cranial nerves. © Evan Oto / Science Source

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Autonomic Nervous System

Medical illustration showing the effects of the autonomic nervous system on the internal organs. Both sympathetic and parasympathetic. © PIKOVIT / Science Source

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