Neurology
Mumbai , India
ph: +91 9821313033
neuro
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an established treatment of medically refractory partial-onset seizures. Recent data from an open-label multicenter pilot study also suggest a potential clinical usefulness in the acute and maintenance treatment of drug-resistant depressive disorder. Despite the fact that surgery is needed to implant the stimulating device, the option of long-term use largely devoid of severe side effects would give this treatment modality a privileged place in the management of drug-resistant depression. Besides the potential clinical usefulness, VNS can be used as a research tool in epilepsy patients implanted for clinical reasons, allowing neurophysiologic investigations of the parasympathetic system and its interactions with other parts of the central nervous system
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in humans refers generally to stimulation of the left vagus nerve at the cervical level using the NeuroCybernetic Prosthesis (NCP, Cyberonics, Inc., Houston, TX, U.S.A.) system. This equipment consists basically of three parts: 1) the implantable, multiprogrammable bipolar NCP pulse generator, which is similar to a cardiac pacemaker in size and shape; 2) two helical electrodes, which are wrapped around the vagus nerve and are linked to the pulse generator by a bipolar lead; and 3) a programming wand linked to a computer running programming software, which allows noninvasive programming, functional assessment (device diagnostics), and data retrieval. The pulse generator is implanted in a subcutaneous pocket in the left chest wall, whereas the electrodes are attached to the vagus nerve, made accessible by an incision in the neck. Through a subcutaneous tunnel, the electrodes are linked to the pulse generator. The system delivers electrical impulses at frequencies between 1 and 30 Hz, at 0.25 to 3.5 mA, with a pulse width varying from 130 to 1000 microseconds at variable on-off times.
Vagus nerve stimulation has recently gained considerable interest as a potential treatment of relative drug-resistant major depressive episodes.
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Mumbai , India
ph: +91 9821313033
neuro