Neurology, Addiction and Psychiatry Conference

VNS is a recent neurostimulation therapy that is aimed at several neurological and psychiatric disorders, mainly including drug-resistant epilepsy and depression. It entails the stimulation of the vagus nerve, among the most important nerves in the human body, responsible for regulating many involuntary functions of the body, such as heart rate, digestion, and the immune response. It connects the brain to the rest of the body, so the vagus nerve is another such potential target for any neuromodulation therapy.

The VNS procedure is a surgical insertion of a small device, almost like a pacemaker, which in most cases, is inserted under the skin in the chest. The device is connected to the vagus nerve using a wire implanted in the neck. Once activated, the device sends electrical impulses periodically to the brain using the vagus nerve, which helps regulate abnormal electric activity within the brain, causing seizures or contributing to mood disorders.

VNS has been effective in the treatment of epilepsy, primarily for those patients whose seizures do not respond to drugs. It works well because it modifies the way electrical circuits in the brain work, decreasing the frequency or severity of seizures in most cases. It may not make the seizures entirely disappear, but it surely will help those patients who have been through other treatments.

Apart from epilepsy, VNS is increasingly regarded as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of refractory depression. For example, if all signs and symptoms of depression are unable to be relieved by antidepressants and psychotherapy, VNS has been proven to be effective in raising mood levels and lessening the symptoms of depression. The exact nature of how the application of VNS impacts the process of mood regulation remains under research, but it is believed to be mediated via modulation of brain areas associated with emotional processing, such as the limbic system.

More than just being prescribed for epilepsy and depression, research is already in the works to use VNS in the treatment of anxiety disorders, chronic pain, and Alzheimer's disease, which holds promise for more expansive application in neurological care.

Even though VNS therapy does pose some risks, such as voice changes, soreness at the site in the neck/throat, and irritation from coughing, advantages frequently outweigh the disadvantages for many patients with severe and refractory conditions. Continuing advances in research and development, Vagus Nerve Stimulation does appear to remain an excellent treatment avenue in the management of many neurological and psychiatric conditions. Hope now exists for those who have failed on traditional treatments.