Vagus nerve stimulation
Definition
Vagus nerve stimulation is a neurological procedure that sends electricalimpulses into your brain in an effort to improve chronic depression symptoms.Vagus nerve stimulation is one of several newer types of brain stimulationmethods designed to treat depression when standard treatment hasn't worked.Vagus nerve stimulation is sometimes called vagal nerve stimulation.With vagus nerve stimulation, a device called a pulse generator is surgicallyimplanted in your chest. A wire threaded under your skin connects the pulsegenerator to the left vagus nerve in your neck. The pulse generator sends outelectrical signals along the vagus nerve to your brain. These signals affect moodcenters of your brain, possibly improving depression symptoms. Vagus nervestimulation is recommended only for certain cases of severe or chronicdepression.
Why it's done
Vagus nerve stimulation
In vagus nerve stimulation, an implanted pulse generator and lead wirestimulate parts of your brain that affect mood.
Standard treatment with antidepressant medications, psychotherapy orelectroconvulsive therapy often can help improve even severe cases ofdepression. But if these standard depression treatments don't work, vagus nervestimulation might be an option.
When to consider vagus nerve stimulation
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vagus nerve stimulation fordepression in 2005, but only for these specific situations:
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You're age 18 or older.
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You have treatment-resistant depression.
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You have long-term, chronic depression that has lasted two or moreyears.
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You have recurrent or severe depression.
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Your depression hasn't improved after the use of at least four othertreatments, such as four different antidepressants.
There's one vagus nerve on each side of your body. The nerve runs from yourbrainstem through your neck and down to your chest and abdomen. Informationtravels through this nerve to and from your central nervous system. The pulsegenerator sends electrical signals along your vagus nerve up into your brain,where it's hoped that these electrical signals will create a reaction that improvesyour mood and reduces depression symptoms.Keep in mind that vagus nerve stimulation doesn't guarantee that yourdepression symptoms will get better. In fact, the use of the procedure fordepression is controversial, even though it was FDA approved to treat epilepsy in1997. Some mental health experts don't recommend its use for depression, andresearch evidence about its effectiveness is mixed. The FDA advises that vagusnerve stimulation be used only along with traditional depression treatments.Some health insurance companies may not cover the procedure.
Risks
Vagus nerve stimulation is considered generally safe. But it does pose the risk ofnumerous problems, some serious. You may have risks both from the surgery toimplant the device and from the brain stimulation.
Surgery risks
Surgical complications may include:
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Incision pain
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Infection
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Damage to the vagus nerve
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Breathing problems
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Nausea
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Heart problems
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Incision scarring
Side effects after surgery
Side effects and adverse health problems associated with vagus nervestimulation include, but may not be limited to:
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Voice changes
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Hoarseness
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Cough
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Neck pain
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Chest pain
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Breathing problems, especially during exercise
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Difficulty swallowing
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Tingling or prickling of the skin
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Sore throat
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Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) - Vagal Nerve Simulation
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| Upload Date: | 04/24/2009 |
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