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Zhang Q, Luo X, Wang XH, Li JY, Qiu H, Yang DD. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy. Seizure 2024; 119:84-91. [PMID: 38820674 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have suggested that transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) may be effective for the treatment of epilepsy. However, auricular acupoint therapy (including auricular acupuncture and auricular point-sticking therapy), a method of stimulating the vagus nerve, has been poorly reviewed. This systematic review is the first to categorize auricular acupoint therapy as transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), aiming to assess the efficacy of taVNS in patients with epilepsy (PWE), and to analyse the results of animal experiments on the antiepileptic effects of taVNS. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and various Chinese databases from their inception to June 10, 2023 and found nine clinical studies (including a total of 788 PWE) and eight preclinical studies. We performed a meta-analysis and systematic review of these articles to assess the efficacy of taVNS in PWE and the association between taVNS and electroencephalogram (EEG) changes. We also analysed the effects on epileptic behaviour, latency of the first seizure, and seizure frequency in epileptic animals. The PRISMA 2020 checklist provided by the EQUATOR Network was used in this study. RESULTS taVNS had a higher response rate in PWE than the control treatment (OR = 2.94, 95 % CI = 1.94 - 4.46, P < 0.05). The analysis showed that the taVNS group showed wider EEG changes than the control group (OR = 2.17, 95 % CI 1.03 to 4.58, P < 0.05). The preclinical studies analysis revealed significant differences in epileptic behaviour (SMD = -4.78, 95 % CI -5.86 to -3.71, P < 0.05) and seizure frequency (SMD = -5.06, 95 % CI -5.96 to -4.15, P < 0.05) between the taVNS and control groups. No statistical difference was found in the latency of the first seizure between the two groups (SMD =13.54; 95 % CI 7.76 to 19.33, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Based on the available data, PWE may benefit from the use of taVNS. taVNS is an effective procedure for improving epileptic behaviour in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
| | - Xue Luo
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No.12, Jichang Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Wang
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (Qingdao Hiser Hospital) Qingdao Hiser Hospital Affiliated with Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jing-Ya Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
| | - Hui Qiu
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, QingChun Road Number 23 , Hangzhou , Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Dong-Dong Yang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China.
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Chen L, Tang C, Wang Z, Zhang L, Gu B, Liu X, Ming D. Enhancing Motor Sequence Learning via Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS): An EEG Study. IEEE J Biomed Health Inform 2024; 28:1285-1296. [PMID: 38109248 DOI: 10.1109/jbhi.2023.3344176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Motor learning plays a crucial role in human life, and various neuromodulation methods have been utilized to strengthen or improve it. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has gained increasing attention due to its non-invasive nature, affordability and ease of implementation. Although the potential of taVNS on regulating motor learning has been suggested, its actual regulatory effect has yet been fully explored. Electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis provides an in-depth understanding of cognitive processes involved in motor learning so as to offer methodological support for regulation of motor learning. To investigate the effect of taVNS on motor learning, this study recruited 22 healthy subjects to participate a single-blind, sham-controlled, and within-subject serial reaction time task (SRTT) experiment. Every subject involved in two sessions at least one week apart and received a 20-minute active/sham taVNS in each session. Behavioral indicators as well as EEG characteristics during the task state, were extracted and analyzed. The results revealed that compared to the sham group, the active group showed higher learning performance. Additionally, the EEG results indicated that after taVNS, the motor-related cortical potential amplitudes and alpha-gamma modulation index decreased significantly and functional connectivity based on partial directed coherence towards frontal lobe was enhanced. These findings suggest that taVNS can improve motor learning, mainly through enhancing cognitive and memory functions rather than simple movement learning. This study confirms the positive regulatory effect of taVNS on motor learning, which is particularly promising as it offers a potential avenue for enhancing motor skills and facilitating rehabilitation.
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Mylavarapu RV, Kanumuri VV, de Rivero Vaccari JP, Misra A, McMillan DW, Ganzer PD. Importance of timing optimization for closed-loop applications of vagus nerve stimulation. Bioelectron Med 2023; 9:8. [PMID: 37101239 PMCID: PMC10134677 DOI: 10.1186/s42234-023-00110-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy has become widely used for clinical applications including epilepsy, depression, and enhancing the effects of rehabilitation. However, several questions remain regarding optimization of this therapy to maximize clinical outcomes. Although stimulation parameters such as pulse width, amplitude, and frequency are well studied, the timing of stimulation delivery both acutely (with respect to disease events) and chronically (over the timeline of a disease's progression) has generally received less attention. Leveraging such information would provide a framework for the implementation of next generation closed-loop VNS therapies. In this mini-review, we summarize a number of VNS therapies and discuss (1) general timing considerations for these applications and (2) open questions that could lead to further therapy optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vivek V Kanumuri
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Juan Pablo de Rivero Vaccari
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Amrit Misra
- Newton Wellesley Neurology Associates, Newton, MA, USA
| | - David W McMillan
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Patrick D Ganzer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
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Muthiah N, Joseph B, Varga G, Vodovotz L, Sharma N, Abel TJ. Investigation of the effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation for pediatric drug-resistant epilepsies secondary to nonaccidental trauma. Childs Nerv Syst 2023; 39:1201-1206. [PMID: 36602582 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-022-05817-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Epilepsy following non-accidental trauma (NAT) occurs in 18% of pediatric patients. About 33% of patients with epilepsy develop drug-resistant epilepsy. For these patients, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a palliative treatment option. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of VNS among pediatric NAT-related epilepsy patients compared to those with non-NAT-related epilepsy. METHODS We performed an 11-year retrospective analysis of VNS implantations for drug-resistant epilepsy at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Patients were split into two groups: NAT vs. non-NAT. The primary outcome was the attainment of ≥ 50% seizure frequency reduction at 1-year post-VNS implantation. Fisher's exact tests and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare groups. Significance was assessed at the alpha = 0.05 level. RESULTS This analysis included data from 370 pediatric VNS patients, of whom 9 had NAT-related epilepsy. NAT patients had a significantly younger age of epilepsy onset than non-NAT patients (0.3 years vs. 3.3 years). Otherwise, there were no statistically significant baseline differences between groups, including patient sex and quantity of antiseizure medications pre-VNS. Overall, 71% of NAT patients experienced ≥ 50% seizure frequency reduction compared to 48% of non-NAT patients (p = 0.269). CONCLUSION VNS may allow a higher proportion of pediatric patients with NAT-related epilepsy to achieve ≥ 50% seizure frequency reduction compared to other epilepsy etiologies. While the results of this study were not statistically significant, the effect size was large. Our results underscore the need for larger, multi-center studies to validate the effectiveness of VNS for this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brigit Joseph
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Gregory Varga
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Lena Vodovotz
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nikhil Sharma
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Taylor J Abel
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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LoPresti MA, Katlowitz KA, Sharma H, McGinnis JP, Weiner HL. Pediatric Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Case Series Outcomes and Future Directions. Neurosurgery 2023; 92:1043-1051. [PMID: 36700739 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000002326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a neuromodulatory procedure most extensively studied as an adjunct to medically refractory epilepsy. Despite widespread adoption and decades of clinical experience, clinical predictors of response to VNS remain unclear. OBJECTIVE To evaluate a retrospective cohort of pediatric patients undergoing VNS at our institution to better understand who may benefit from VNS and identify factors which may predict response to VNS. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study examining pediatric patients undergoing VNS over nearly a 20-year span at a single institution. Presurgical evaluation, including demographics, clinical history, and diagnostic electroencephalogram, and imaging findings were examined. Primary outcomes included VNS response. RESULTS Two hundred ninety-seven subjects were studied. The mean age at surgery was 10.1 (SD = 4.9, range = 0.8-25.3) years; length of follow-up was a mean of 4.6 years (SD = 3.5, median = 3.9 years, range 1 day-16.1 years). There was no association between demographic factors, epilepsy etiology, or genetic basis and VNS outcomes. There was an association between reduction in main seizure type with positive MRI finding. Of all MRI findings analyzed, brain atrophy was significantly associated with worse VNS outcomes, whereas dysplastic hippocampus and chronic periventricular leukomalacia findings were found to be associated with improved outcomes. Increased seizure semiology variability and seizure type were also associated with improved seizure outcomes. CONCLUSION Predicting response to VNS remains difficult, leading to incompletely realized benefits and suboptimal resource utilization. Specific MRI findings and increased seizure semiology variability and type can help guide clinical decision making and patient counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A LoPresti
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Division of Neurosurgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kalman A Katlowitz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Division of Neurosurgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Himanshu Sharma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Division of Neurosurgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - John P McGinnis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Division of Neurosurgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Howard L Weiner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Division of Neurosurgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
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Carron R, Roncon P, Lagarde S, Dibué M, Zanello M, Bartolomei F. Latest Views on the Mechanisms of Action of Surgically Implanted Cervical Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Epilepsy. Neuromodulation 2022; 26:498-506. [PMID: 36064522 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.08.447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is approved as an adjunctive treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy. Although there is a substantial amount of literature aiming at unraveling the mechanisms of action of VNS in epilepsy, it is still unclear how the cascade of events triggered by VNS leads to its antiepileptic effect. OBJECTIVE In this review, we integrated available peer-reviewed data on the effects of VNS in clinical and experimental research to identify those that are putatively responsible for its therapeutic effect. The topic of transcutaneous VNS will not be covered owing to the current lack of data supporting the differences and commonalities of its mechanisms of action in relation to invasive VNS. SUMMARY OF THE MAIN FINDINGS There is compelling evidence that the effect is obtained through the stimulation of large-diameter afferent myelinated fibers that project to the solitary tract nucleus, then to the parabrachial nucleus, which in turn alters the activity of the limbic system, thalamus, and cortex. VNS-induced catecholamine release from the locus coeruleus in the brainstem plays a pivotal role. Functional imaging studies tend to point toward a common vagal network that comes into play, made up of the amygdalo-hippocampal regions, left thalamus, and insular cortex. CONCLUSIONS Even though some crucial pieces are missing, neurochemical, molecular, cellular, and electrophysiological changes occur within the vagal afferent network at three main levels (the brainstem, the limbic system [amygdala and hippocampus], and the cortex). At this final level, VNS notably alters functional connectivity, which is known to be abnormally high within the epileptic zone and was shown to be significantly decreased by VNS in responders. The effect of crucial VNS parameters such as frequency or current amplitude on functional connectivity metrics is of utmost importance and requires further investigation.
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Nowakowska M, Üçal M, Charalambous M, Bhatti SFM, Denison T, Meller S, Worrell GA, Potschka H, Volk HA. Neurostimulation as a Method of Treatment and a Preventive Measure in Canine Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: Current State and Future Prospects. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:889561. [PMID: 35782557 PMCID: PMC9244381 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.889561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Modulation of neuronal activity for seizure control using various methods of neurostimulation is a rapidly developing field in epileptology, especially in treatment of refractory epilepsy. Promising results in human clinical practice, such as diminished seizure burden, reduced incidence of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy, and improved quality of life has brought neurostimulation into the focus of veterinary medicine as a therapeutic option. This article provides a comprehensive review of available neurostimulation methods for seizure management in drug-resistant epilepsy in canine patients. Recent progress in non-invasive modalities, such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation is highlighted. We further discuss potential future advances and their plausible application as means for preventing epileptogenesis in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Nowakowska
- Research Unit of Experimental Neurotraumatology, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Muammer Üçal
- Research Unit of Experimental Neurotraumatology, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Marios Charalambous
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Sofie F. M. Bhatti
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Timothy Denison
- Department of Engineering Science, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sebastian Meller
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | | | - Heidrun Potschka
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Holger A. Volk
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
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Abouelleil M, Deshpande N, Ali R. Emerging Trends in Neuromodulation for Treatment of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2022; 3:839463. [PMID: 35386582 PMCID: PMC8977768 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2022.839463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects more than 70 million people globally. A considerable proportion of epilepsy is resistant to anti-epileptic drugs (AED). For patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), who are not eligible for resective or ablative surgery, neuromodulation has been a palliative option. Since the approval of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in 1997, expansion to include other modalities, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) and responsive neurostimulation (RNS), has led to improved seizure control in this population. In this article, we discuss the current updates and emerging trends on neuromodulation for epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Abouelleil
- Division of Neurological Surgery, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Nachiket Deshpande
- College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Rushna Ali
- Division of Neurological Surgery, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- *Correspondence: Rushna Ali
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