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NEUROLOGY 2004;62:2310-2312
© 2004 American Academy of Neurology
Brief Communications

Effects of vagus nerve stimulation on cortical excitability in epileptic patients

V. Di Lazzaro, MD, A. Oliviero, MD, F. Pilato, MD, E. Saturno, MD, M. Dileone, MD, M. Meglio, MD, G. Colicchio, MD, C. Barba, MD, F. Papacci, MD and P. A. Tonali, MD

From the Institutes of Neurology (Drs. Di Lazzaro, Oliviero, Pilato, Saturno, Dileone, and Tonali) and Neurosurgery (Drs. Meglio, Colicchio, Barba, and Papacci), Università Cattolica, Rome, Italy; and Unidad de Neurologia Funcional (Dr. Oliviero), Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos, Finca la Peraleda, Toledo, Spain.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. V. Di Lazzaro, Istituto di Neurologia, Università Cattolica, L. go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; e-mail: vdilazzaro{at}rm.unicatt.it

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is used as adjunctive treatment for medically refractory epilepsy, but little is known about its mechanisms of action. The effects of VNS on the excitatory and inhibitory circuits of the motor cortex were evaluated in five patients with epilepsy using single- and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Patients were examined with the stimulator on and off. VNS determined a selective and pronounced increase in the inhibition produced by paired-pulse TMS with no effects on the excitability by single-pulse TMS.

Received November 26, 2003. Accepted in final form February 11, 2004.




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