NFKB1 and depressive symptom measurement: Additional studies have shown that inhibition of the IL-1β signaling pathway significantly reduces hippocampal inflammation and alleviates depression-like behaviors (31, 32).Our previous research has demonstrated that taVNS exerts anti-inflammatory and antidepressant effects by suppressing hippocampal IL-1β expression through the α7nAchR/NF-κB signaling pathway (14).It is suggested that taVNS may improve depressive symptoms by reducing peripheral IL-1β and IL-18 levels, thereby limiting its propagation to the central nervous system and subsequent activation of neuroinflammation.