Vagal nerve stimulation in treatment of intractable partial seizures: nursing implications

Seizures are the result of abnormal synchronization of electrical activity in the brain. Medical therapy is unsuccessful in controlling seizures for many patients with partial seizures and surgery may not be a viable option. An alternate mode of treatment of intractable partial seizures is needed. Vagal nerve stimulation is a treatment modality under investigation. Stimulating the vagus nerve is hypothesized to desynchronize cerebral electrical activity, yielding an antiepileptic effect. A multicenter vagal nerve stimulation study is currently underway.