Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for depression: what do we know now and what should be done next?

Abstract

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy is the first US Food and Drug Administration-approved somatic clinical intervention for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Long-term open data suggest a sustainable antidepressant response over time. Here we review the clinical data that exist so far and their limitations. We also discuss guidelines that may inform the clinical utilization of this procedure. Further clinical studies, in addition to prospective cost utilization and health economic investigations, are needed to better understand VNS therapy and the impact it holds on TRD care.

• Authors: Ziad Nahas, Carol Burns, Milton J Foust, Baron Short, Tal Herbsman, Mark S George
• Journal: Current psychiatry reports (Curr Psychiatry Rep) Vol. 8 Issue 6 Pg. 445-51 (Dec 2006) ISSN: 1523-3812 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17094924 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Topics

• Bipolar Disorder (physiopathology, therapy)
• Chronic Disease
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Depressive Disorder, Major (physiopathology, therapy)
• Drug Resistance
• Electric Stimulation Therapy (methods)
• Humans
• Recurrence
• Vagus Nerve (physiopathology)