This Article Figures Only Full Text Correspondence: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Schachter, S. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Schachter, S. C.

Neurology 2002;59:S15-S29
© 2002 American Academy of Neurology

Neurology supplements are not peer-reviewed. Information contained in Neurology supplements represent the opinions of the authors and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views of the American Academy of Neurology, Editor-in-Chief, or Associate Editors of Neurology.

Vagus nerve stimulation therapy summary

Five years after FDA approval Steven C. Schachter, MD

From the Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Steven C. Schachter, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, KS457, Boston, MA 02215.

Article abstract With more than 16,000 patients implanted with the vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy system (Cyberonics, Inc., Houston, Texas), VNS therapy has assumed an increasingly important role in the treatment of medically refractory seizures since its approval 5 years ago by the United States FDA. This review discusses the clinical trials that provided evidence for the approval, long-term efficacy, efficacy in special populations and co-morbid conditions, and safety and tolerability. Additional studies are suggested to further explore the capabilities of VNS therapy.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. R. Johnston and N. R. Webster Cytokines and the immunomodulatory function of the vagus nerve Br. J. Anaesth., April 1, 2009; 102(4): 453 - 462. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Shang Prospective Tests on Biological Models of Acupuncture Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med., March 1, 2009; 6(1): 31 - 39. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. L. Schomer and P. M. Black A 24-Year-Old Woman With Intractable Seizures: Review of Surgery for Epilepsy JAMA, December 3, 2008; 300(21): 2527 - 2538. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. M. S. Sherman, M. B. Connolly, D. J. Slick, K. L. Eyrl, P. Steinbok, and K. Farrell Quality of Life and Seizure Outcome After Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Children With Intractable Epilepsy J Child Neurol, September 1, 2008; 23(9): 991 - 998. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. J. Schwartz, G. M. De Ferrari, A. Sanzo, M. Landolina, R. Rordorf, C. Raineri, C. Campana, M. Revera, N. Ajmone-Marsan, L. Tavazzi, et al. Long term vagal stimulation in patients with advanced heart failure First experience in man Eur J Heart Fail, September 1, 2008; 10(9): 884 - 891. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Parmar, S.-H. Lim, N. C.K. Tan, and C. C. T. Lim Acute symptomatic seizures and hippocampus damage: DWI and MRS findings Neurology, June 13, 2006; 66(11): 1732 - 1735. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Benedek, C. Juhasz, D. C. Chugani, O. Muzik, and H. T. Chugani Longitudinal Changes in Cortical Glucose Hypometabolism in Children With Intractable Epilepsy J Child Neurol, January 1, 2006; 21(1): 26 - 31. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Y. Zhang, M. McGuire, D. P White, and L. Ling Episodic phrenic-inhibitory vagus nerve stimulation paradoxically induces phrenic long-term facilitation in rats J. Physiol., September 15, 2003; 551(3): 981 - 991. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. Devinsky A 48-Year-Old Man With Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Psychiatric Illness JAMA, July 16, 2003; 290(3): 381 - 392. [Full Text] [PDF]