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Updated: May 21, 2026

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
[Treatment resistant depression: therapy and novel neuromodulatory treatments]
Markus Kosel1, Alexandre Berney
1Programme Bipolaire, Service de psychiatrie générale, HUG, 1207 Genève. markus.kosel@hcuge.ch
Abstract:
Unipolar depression is among the leading cause of invalidity and disability-adjusted life-years. Many depressed patients do not respond to several antidepressant treatments. Several treatments have been investigated in resistant depression using electrical or magnetic stimulation of the brain. In this field, electroconvulsivotherapy remains to date the only treatment validated for efficacy and security. Novel neuromodulatory treatments used in neurological conditions are currently under investigation. Vagus nerve stimulation and deep brain stimulation may offer long-term efficacy and therefore justify expensive and highly specialized treatment programs.
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