Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), delivered by an implantable, programmable pulse generator (Cyberonics, Inc, Houston, TX), is effective in reducing the frequency, duration, and/or intensity of seizures in patients with treatment-resistant partial-onset seizures. The use of VNS as a potential treatment for psychiatric disorders is of particular interest given the known neuroanatomic and neurochemical effects of VNS. The first study of VNS for a psychiatric indication reported positive, although preliminary, results in a cohort of 30 patients with treatment-resistant depressive episodes treated openly (A. J. Rush, M. S. George, H. A. Sackeim, et al., Biol Psychiatry 2000;47:276–86). This article reviews the rationale and initial data regarding the use of VNS as a novel treatment for depression.
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