Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a safe and reliable treatment adjunct for patients with medically intractable epilepsy. It is both a preventive and an abortive form of therapy, effective against both partial and generalized seizures in adults and children. VNS also has a number of serendipitous effects on mood, memory, and attention, and has been approved for the treatment of refractory depression. Its principal limitations are its unknown mechanism of action, the low likelihood of complete cure, and the inability to predict which patients will derive substantial benefit. This chapter reviews the theoretical rationale, practical background, and clinical applications of VNS therapy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Neuromodulation |
Subtitle of host publication | Comprehensive Textbook of Principles, Technologies, and Therapies, Second Edition: Volume 1-3 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Pages | 999-1009 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Volume | 3 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780128053539 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780128093023 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2018 |
Keywords
- Depression
- Epilepsy
- Neurostimulation
- Seizure
- Vagus nerve stimulation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)