Beyond the treatment of epilepsy: new applications of vagus nerve stimulation in psychiatry.

摘要: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in humans generally refers to of the left vagus at cervical level. VNS is an established treatment largely devoid severe side effects for medically refractory partial-onset seizures and has been used more than 16,000 patients. Over past 5 years, applications other neuropsychiatric disorders have investigated, with a special emphasis on depression. Recent data from open-label, multi-center pilot study involving 60 patients suggest potential clinical usefulness acute maintenance drug-resistant depressive disorder. The perspective as long-term advantage assured compliance makes it interesting technique potentially treat However, definite therapeutic significance remain be confirmed large placebo-controlled trials. Results studies suffering obesity Alzheimer's disease indicate that might induce weight loss improve cognition. Besides its usefulness, can research tool, allowing neuro-physiologic investigations parasympathetic system interactions parts central nervous system.