α7nAchR mediates transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation-induced neuroprotection in a rat model of ischemic stroke by enhancing axonal plasticity.

•Ta-VNS treatment boosted axon plasticity and improved long-term neurofunctional recovery following ischemic stroke.•Ta-VNS treatment activated α7nAChR in the chronic phase of ischemic stroke.•Blockade of α7nAChR attenuated the ta-VNS-mediated promotion of axonal plasticity and neuroprotection following ischemic stroke.•Ta-VNS treatment boosted axonal plasticity and improved neurofunctional recovery through α7nAChR-mediated activation of BDNF-associated signaling pathways following ischemic stroke.