Vagus nerve stimulation induces concomitant respiratory alterations and a decrease in SaO2 in children
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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
Boubker Zaaimi1, Claire Héberlé, Patrick Berquin
1GRAMFC, Faculté de Médecine, CHU Nord, Amiens, France. boubker.zaaimi@u-picardie.fr
Purpose:
To analyze respiratory alterations and effects on SaO(2) caused by vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in children with epilepsy.
Methods:
Polysomnographic recordings, including electroencephalography, thoracoabdominal distention, nasal airflow, SaO(2), and VNS artifact were evaluated in 10 children with pharmacoresistant epilepsy treated with VNS.
Results:
Each VNS caused a significant increase in respiratory frequency (p < 0.05) throughout the stimulation period and a decrease in thoracoabdominal-distention amplitude (p < 0.05), especially at the beginning of the stimulation. These respiratory alterations induced a decrease in SaO(2) from 1 to 5%. The effects of VNS on respiration differed significantly between rapid-eye-movement (REM) and non-REM (NREM) sleep states.
Conclusions:
VNS caused a pronounced change in respiration in children with epilepsy, and this induced a decrease in SaO(2). It is possible that VNS has a neuroprotective effect, and this possibility calls for further investigation.
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