Vagus nerve stimulation: a new form of therapeutic brain stimulation

CNS Spectrums
M S GeorgeJ C Ballenger

Abstract

Although the vagus nerve has traditionally been considered to perform efferent functions, in reality it performs significant afferent functions as well, carrying information from the body, head, and neck to the brain. Preliminary studies examining this afferent activity led to the theory that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) could successfully control seizure activity in persons who are refractory to antiepileptic medications. Unlike other forms of brain stimulation, VNS is unable to directly stimulate multiple discrete areas of the brain; however, through several pathways, it is able to relay sensory information to higher brain regions. An implantable VNS device known as the VNSTM NeuroCybernetic Prosthesis (NCP) System has been used in approximately 9,000 epilepsy patients in Europe and the United States since 1994. The implant has reduced seizure frequency by an average of 25% to 30%, with minimal side effects. Studies underway are also showing some degree of success in the management of treatment-refractory depression. The future efficacy of the implantable system in other disorders may depend on whether the implant can be more precisely focused to affect different brain regions. Research in this area is underway.

References

Jul 1, 1980·The American Journal of Psychiatry·J C Ballenger, R M Post
May 5, 1998·Neuropsychobiology·A H Glassman
Jul 22, 1998·Epilepsia·S C Schachter, C B Saper
Apr 9, 1999·Nature Neuroscience·K B ClarkR A Jensen
Apr 10, 1999·Archives of General Psychiatry·M S GeorgeH A Sackeim
Feb 25, 2000·Biological Psychiatry·M S GeorgeJ C Ballenger

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Citations

Jun 1, 2006·Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment·Gin S MalhiPerminder Sachdev
Sep 7, 2021·Neuromodulation : Journal of the International Neuromodulation Society·Christopher W AustelleBashar W Badran

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