Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
Vagal nerve stimulation in patients with refractory epilepsy. Effect on seizure frequency, severity and quality of
J I Morrow1, E Bingham, J J Craig
1Directorate of Neurosciences, Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK.
Abstract:
Vagal nerve stimulation using an NCP (Cyberonics) device has been suggested as a potential treatment for patients with epilepsy that has previously proven refractory. Ten patients in Northern Ireland have had this device implanted and been fully audited pre- and post-operatively. Twelve months post-implantation, five patients have demonstrated a greater than 50% reduction in seizure frequency. A statistical reduction in seizure severity of the ictal phase of the major seizures has also been shown. Improvement in the patients' overall quality of life has, however, not been demonstrated in parallel to seizure reduction.
Related Concept Videos
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Seizures: Classification
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers
Sodium channel blockers modulate ion channels, particularly voltage-gated sodium channels. They block only sodium ion movement.
Among the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs are...
Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for their...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
Electroconvulsive Therapy

