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Ma Y, Young W. Treatment of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy With Right-Sided Vagus Nerve Stimulation. Cureus 2024; 16:e65061. [PMID: 39171016 PMCID: PMC11336252 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.65061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been used as an adjunctive therapeutic option for drug-resistant epilepsy for decades. Traditionally, the left vagus nerve is used for stimulation, while the right vagus nerve is rarely used. The long-term efficacy and safety of the right VNS (R-VNS) in humans are unknown. We presented three patients who were treated with R-VNS over a follow-up period of up to eight years. All three patients tolerated R-VNS well with minimal complications. R-VNS displayed reasonable effectiveness in all three patients. One patient had an excellent response and became seizure-free. The other two patients demonstrated a less favorable response to R-VNS compared to their previous left VNS therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitao Ma
- Neurology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, USA
| | - William Young
- Neurology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, USA
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2
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Hamza M, Carron R, Dibué M, Moiraghi A, Barrit S, Filipescu C, Landré E, Gavaret M, Domenech P, Pallud J, Zanello M. Right-sided vagus nerve stimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy: A systematic review of the literature and perspectives. Seizure 2024; 117:298-304. [PMID: 38615369 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.02.011] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Right-sided vagus nerve stimulation (RS-VNS) is indicated when the procedure was deemed not technically feasible or too risky on the indicated left side. OBJECTIVE The present study aims to systematically review the literature on RS-VNS, assessing its effectiveness and safety. METHODS A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted: Pubmed/MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase and Web of science databases were searched from inception to August 13th,2023. Gray literature was searched in two libraries. Eligible studies included all studies reporting, at least, one single case of RS-VNS in patients for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. RESULTS Out of 2333 initial results, 415 studies were screened by abstract. Only four were included in the final analysis comprising seven patients with RS-VNS for a drug-resistant epilepsy. One patient experienced nocturnal asymptomatic bradycardia whereas the other six patients did not display any cardiac symptom. RS-VNS was discontinued in one case due to exercise-induced airway disease exacerbation. Decrease of epileptic seizure frequency after RS-VNS ranged from 25 % to 100 % in six cases. In the remaining case, VNS effectiveness was unclear. In one case, RS-VNS was more efficient than left-sided VNS (69 % vs 50 %, respectively) whereas in another case, RS-VNS was less efficient (50 % vs 95 %, respectively). CONCLUSION Literature on the present topic is limited. In six out of seven patients, RS-VNS for drug-resistant epilepsy displayed reasonable effectiveness with a low complication rate. Further research, including prospective studies, is necessary to assess safety and effectiveness of RS-VNS for drug-resistant epilepsy patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meissa Hamza
- Department of Neurosurgery, GHU Paris - Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris, France; Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Romain Carron
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, INS, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Marseille, France; Department of Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Maxine Dibué
- Department of Neurosurgery, Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, Germany; Medical Affairs Neuromodulation International, LivaNova PLC, London United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Moiraghi
- Department of Neurosurgery, GHU Paris - Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris, France; Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR1266, IPNP, Paris, France
| | - Sami Barrit
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus Hospital, Free University of Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cristina Filipescu
- Neurophysiology Department, GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Elisabeth Landré
- Neurophysiology Department, GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Martine Gavaret
- Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR1266, IPNP, Paris, France; Neurophysiology Department, GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Domenech
- Neuromodulation Institute, GHU Paris, Psychiatrie et neurosciences, Hôpital Saint-Anne, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France; Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit, INSERM, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, NeuroSpin Center, France
| | - Johan Pallud
- Department of Neurosurgery, GHU Paris - Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris, France; Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR1266, IPNP, Paris, France
| | - Marc Zanello
- Department of Neurosurgery, GHU Paris - Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris, France; Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR1266, IPNP, Paris, France.
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3
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Gouveia FV, Warsi NM, Suresh H, Matin R, Ibrahim GM. Neurostimulation treatments for epilepsy: Deep brain stimulation, responsive neurostimulation and vagus nerve stimulation. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00308. [PMID: 38177025 PMCID: PMC11103217 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2023.e00308] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a common and debilitating neurological disorder, and approximately one-third of affected individuals have ongoing seizures despite appropriate trials of two anti-seizure medications. This population with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) may benefit from neurostimulation approaches, such as vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), deep brain stimulation (DBS) and responsive neurostimulation (RNS). In some patient populations, these techniques are FDA-approved for treating DRE. VNS is used as adjuvant therapy for children and adults. Acting via the vagus afferent network, VNS modulates thalamocortical circuits, reducing seizures in approximately 50 % of patients. RNS uses an adaptive (closed-loop) system that records intracranial EEG patterns to activate the stimulation at the appropriate time, being particularly well-suited to treat seizures arising within eloquent cortex. For DBS, the most promising therapeutic targets are the anterior and centromedian nuclei of the thalamus, with anterior nucleus DBS being used for treating focal and secondarily generalized forms of DRE and centromedian nucleus DBS being applied for treating generalized epilepsies such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Here, we discuss the indications, advantages and limitations of VNS, DBS and RNS in treating DRE and summarize the spatial distribution of neuroimaging observations related to epilepsy and stimulation using NeuroQuery and NeuroSynth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nebras M Warsi
- Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hrishikesh Suresh
- Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rafi Matin
- Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - George M Ibrahim
- Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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González-González MA, Alemansour H, Maroufi M, Coskun MB, Lloyd D, Reza Moheimani SO, Romero-Ortega MI. Biomechanics Characterization of Autonomic and Somatic Nerves by High Dynamic Closed-Loop MEMS force sensing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.13.536752. [PMID: 37090537 PMCID: PMC10120675 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.13.536752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
The biomechanics of peripheral nerves are determined by the blood-nerve barrier (BNB), together with the epineural barrier, extracellular matrix, and axonal composition, which maintain structural and functional stability. These elements are often ignored in the fabrication of penetrating devices, and the implant process is traumatic due to the mechanical distress, compromising the function of neuroprosthesis for sensory-motor restoration in amputees. Miniaturization of penetrating interfaces offers the unique opportunity of decoding individual nerve fibers associated to specific functions, however, a main issue for their implant is the lack of high-precision standardization of insertion forces. Current automatized electromechanical force sensors are available; however, their sensitivity and range amplitude are limited (i.e. mN), and have been tested only in-vitro. We previously developed a high-precision bi-directional micro-electromechanical force sensor, with a closed-loop mechanism (MEMS-CLFS), that while measuring with high-precision (-211.7μN to 211.5μN with a resolution of 4.74nN), can be used in alive animal. Our technology has an on-chip electrothermal displacement sensor with a shuttle beam displacement amplification mechanism, for large range and high-frequency resolution (dynamic range of 92.9 dB), which eliminates the adverse effect of flexural nonlinearity measurements, observed with other systems, and reduces the mechanical impact on delicate biological tissue. In this work, we use the MEMS-CLFS for in-vivo bidirectional measurement of biomechanics in somatic and autonomic nerves. Furthermore we define the mechanical implications of irrigation and collagen VI in the BNB, which is different for both autonomic and somatic nerves (~ 8.5-8.6 fold density of collagen VI and vasculature CD31+ in the VN vs ScN). This study allowed us to create a mathematical approach to predict insertion forces. Our data highlights the necessity of nerve-customization forces to prevent injury when implanting interfaces, and describes a high precision MEMS technology and mathematical model for their measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hammed Alemansour
- Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX. 75080
| | - Mohammad Maroufi
- Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX. 75080
| | - Mustafa Bulut Coskun
- Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX. 75080
| | - David Lloyd
- Biomedical Engineering and Biomedical Sciences. University of Houston, Houston TX. 77204-6064
| | - S. O. Reza Moheimani
- Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX. 75080
| | - Mario I. Romero-Ortega
- Biomedical Engineering and Biomedical Sciences. University of Houston, Houston TX. 77204-6064
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Neves ML, Karvat J, Simões RR, Speretta GFF, Lataro RM, da Silva MD, Santos ARS. The antinociceptive effect of manual acupuncture in the auricular branch of the vagus nerve in visceral and somatic acute pain models and its laterality dependence. Life Sci 2022; 309:121000. [PMID: 36174710 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The vagus nerve provides an important route to the central nervous system, and its brain projections are involved in nociceptive control and pain perception. We investigated the effect of ABVN stimulation on the inhibition of nociceptive signaling and the role of the cholinergic system in its neurobiological effects in models of visceral-somatic pain in rats, as well as the potential difference in stimulus laterality. MATERIALS AND METHODS Male and female Wistar rats were pretreated with auricular acupuncture in the ABVN and submitted to the visceral-somatic nociception model by acetic acid or somatic nociception by formalin. Vagotomy and pharmacological tools were used to verify the participation of the cholinergic system in the experiments. KEY FINDINGS Acupuncture on the left, but not the right, in the ABVN inhibited nociceptive signaling in the visceral-somatic nociception model in male and female rats. Acupuncture on the left ABVN reduced the response time in the formalin test. The cervical vagotomy of the left branch, but not the right, also inhibited nociceptive signaling in the visceral-somatic nociception model and reduced the effect of ABVN stimulation. Furthermore, cholinergic antagonists reduced the left ABVN stimulation effects in the same model. SIGNIFICANCE Our data show that only the stimulation in the left ABVN is capable of producing antinociceptive effect in acute pain models in rats, and that it is dependent on the activation of the vagus nerve caudal to the nodose ganglion, as well as the muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Lisboa Neves
- Program of Post-graduation in Neuroscience, Federal University of Santa Catarina, University Campus, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil.
| | - Jhenifer Karvat
- Program of Post-graduation in Neuroscience, Federal University of Santa Catarina, University Campus, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Róli Rodrigues Simões
- Program of Post-graduation in Neuroscience, Federal University of Santa Catarina, University Campus, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil; Nova Palhoça College, Av. Vidal Procópio Lohn, 1081 - Nova Palhoça, Palhoça, SC, 88131-551, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Fleury Fina Speretta
- Program of Post-graduation in Neuroscience, Federal University of Santa Catarina, University Campus, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil; Department of Physiological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, University Campus, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Renata Maria Lataro
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, University Campus, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Morgana Duarte da Silva
- Program of Post-graduation in Neuroscience, Federal University of Santa Catarina, University Campus, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Adair Roberto Soares Santos
- Program of Post-graduation in Neuroscience, Federal University of Santa Catarina, University Campus, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
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Yasmin F, Sahito AM, Mir SL, Khatri G, Shaikh S, Gul A, Hassan SA, Koritala T, Surani S. Electrical neuromodulation therapy for inflammatory bowel disease. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol 2022; 13:128-142. [PMID: 36187600 PMCID: PMC9516456 DOI: 10.4291/wjgp.v13.i5.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It has financial and quality of life impact on patients. Although there has been a significant advancement in treatments, a considerable number of patients do not respond to it or have severe side effects. Therapeutic approaches such as electrical neuromodulation are being investigated to provide alternate options. Although bioelectric neuromodulation technology has evolved significantly in the last decade, sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for fecal incontinence remains the only neuromodulation protocol commonly utilized use for GI disease. For IBD treatment, several electrical neuromodulation techniques have been studied, such as vagus NS, SNS, and tibial NS. Several animal and clinical experiments were conducted to study the effectiveness, with encouraging results. The precise underlying mechanisms of action for electrical neuromodulation are unclear, but this modality appears to be promising. Randomized control trials are required to investigate the efficacy of intrinsic processes. In this review, we will discuss the electrical modulation therapy for the IBD and the data pertaining to it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Yasmin
- Department of Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 74200, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Moiz Sahito
- Department of Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 74200, Pakistan
| | - Syeda Lamiya Mir
- Department of Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 74200, Pakistan
| | - Govinda Khatri
- Department of Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 74200, Pakistan
| | - Somina Shaikh
- Department of Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 74200, Pakistan
| | - Ambresha Gul
- Department of Medicine, People’s University of Medical and Health Sciences, Nawabshah 67480, Pakistan
| | - Syed Adeel Hassan
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louiseville, KY 40292, United States
| | - Thoyaja Koritala
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, NY 55902, United States
| | - Salim Surani
- Department of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, United States
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Brougher J, Aziz U, Adari N, Chaturvedi M, Jules A, Shah I, Syed S, Thorn CA. Self-Administration of Right Vagus Nerve Stimulation Activates Midbrain Dopaminergic Nuclei. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:782786. [PMID: 34975384 PMCID: PMC8716493 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.782786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Left cervical vagus nerve stimulation (l-VNS) is an FDA-approved treatment for neurological disorders including epilepsy, major depressive disorder, and stroke, and l-VNS is increasingly under investigation for a range of other neurological indications. Traditional l-VNS is thought to induce therapeutic neuroplasticity in part through the coordinated activation of multiple broadly projecting neuromodulatory systems in the brain. Recently, it has been reported that striking lateralization exists in the anatomical and functional connectivity between the vagus nerves and the dopaminergic midbrain. These emerging findings suggest that VNS-driven activation of this important plasticity-promoting neuromodulatory system may be preferentially driven by targeting the right, rather than the left, cervical nerve. Objective: To compare the effects of right cervical VNS (r-VNS) vs. traditional l-VNS on self-administration behavior and midbrain dopaminergic activation in rats. Methods: Rats were implanted with a stimulating cuff electrode targeting either the right or left cervical vagus nerve. After surgical recovery, rats underwent a VNS self-administration assay in which lever pressing was paired with r-VNS or l-VNS delivery. Self-administration was followed by extinction, cue-only reinstatement, and stimulation reinstatement sessions. Rats were sacrificed 90 min after completion of behavioral training, and brains were removed for immunohistochemical analysis of c-Fos expression in the dopaminergic ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), as well as in the noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC). Results: Rats in the r-VNS cohort performed significantly more lever presses throughout self-administration and reinstatement sessions than did rats in the l-VNS cohort. Moreover, this appetitive behavioral responding was associated with significantly greater c-Fos expression among neuronal populations within the VTA, SNc, and LC. Differential c-Fos expression following r-VNS vs. l-VNS was particularly prominent within dopaminergic midbrain neurons. Conclusion: Our results support the existence of strong lateralization within vagal-mesencephalic signaling pathways, and suggest that VNS targeted to the right, rather than left, cervical nerve preferentially activates the midbrain dopaminergic system. These findings raise the possibility that r-VNS could provide a promising strategy for enhancing dopamine-dependent neuroplasticity, opening broad avenues for future research into the efficacy and safety of r-VNS in the treatment of neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson Brougher
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Umaymah Aziz
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Nikitha Adari
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Muskaan Chaturvedi
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Aryela Jules
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Iqra Shah
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Saba Syed
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Catherine A Thorn
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
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Hasegawa H, Van Gompel JJ, Marsh WR, Wharen RE, Zimmerman RS, Burkholder DB, Lundstrom BN, Britton JW, Meyer FB. Outcomes following surgical management of vagus nerve stimulator-related infection: a retrospective multi-institutional study. J Neurosurg 2021; 135:783-791. [PMID: 33339002 DOI: 10.3171/2020.7.jns201385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Surgical site infection (SSI) is a rare but significant complication after vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) placement. Treatment options range from antibiotic therapy alone to hardware removal. The optimal therapeutic strategy remains open to debate. Therefore, the authors conducted this retrospective multicenter analysis to provide insight into the optimal management of VNS-related SSI (VNS-SSI). METHODS Under institutional review board approval and utilizing an institutional database with 641 patients who had undergone 808 VNS-related placement surgeries and 31 patients who had undergone VNS-related hardware removal surgeries, the authors retrospectively analyzed VNS-SSI. RESULTS Sixteen cases of VNS-SSI were identified; 12 of them had undergone the original VNS placement procedure at the authors' institutions. Thus, the incidence of VNS-SSI was calculated as 1.5%. The mean (± standard deviation) time from the most recent VNS-related surgeries to infection was 42 (± 27) days. Methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus was the usual causative bacteria (58%). Initial treatments included antibiotics with or without nonsurgical procedures (n = 6), nonremoval open surgeries for irrigation (n = 3), generator removal (n = 3), and total or near-total removal of hardware (n = 4). Although 2 patients were successfully treated with antibiotics alone or combined with generator removal, removal of both the generator and leads was eventually required in 14 patients. Mild swallowing difficulties and hoarseness occurred in 2 patients with eventual resolution. CONCLUSIONS Removal of the VNS including electrode leads combined with antibiotic administration is the definitive treatment but has a risk of causing dysphagia. If the surgeon finds dense scarring around the vagus nerve, the prudent approach is to snip the electrode close to the nerve as opposed to attempting to unwind the lead completely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotaka Hasegawa
- Departments of1Neurologic Surgery and
- 2Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Robert E Wharen
- 3Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida; and
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Hamdi H, Spatola G, Lagarde S, McGonigal A, Paz-Paredes A, Bizeau A, Bartolomei F, Carron R. Use of Polyvinyl Alcohol Sponge Cubes for Vagal Nerve Stimulation: A Suggestion for the Wrapping Step. Technical Note and Step-by-Step Operative Technique. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2021; 18:487-495. [PMID: 31386756 PMCID: PMC7594176 DOI: 10.1093/ons/opz227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is an approved treatment for epilepsy and depression. Wrapping the helical electrodes around the nerve can prove technically challenging. However, a quick and efficient method to slightly elevate the nerve can highly facilitate this part of the procedure. OBJECTIVE To provide useful surgical tips to facilitate the procedure. METHODS Based on experience of more than 150 adult cases for mainly epilepsy (primary lead implant), the authors share their surgical technique to provide the experienced surgeons or newcomers to the field of VNS with some useful tips. All patients signed informed consent according to the local ethics committee guidelines. RESULTS The article consists of a detailed step-by-step description of the whole procedure illustrated through high-resolution colored photographs of the surgical field. Special reference is made to the usefulness of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge cubes to elevate the nerve instead of the commonly used silicon vessel loops. CONCLUSION The use of surgical microscope and PVA sponge cubes to elevate the nerve constitute key points to make VNS an easy surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Hamdi
- Department of Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France.,Functional Neurosurgery and Stereotaxy Unit, Neurological Surgery Department, Tanta University, Egypt
| | - Giorgio Spatola
- Department of Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Stanislas Lagarde
- Epileptology Department, Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Aileen McGonigal
- Epileptology Department, Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Armando Paz-Paredes
- Department of Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Alain Bizeau
- Department of Cervico-Facial Surgery, Sainte Musse Hospital, Toulon, France
| | - Fabrice Bartolomei
- Epileptology Department, Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Romain Carron
- Department of Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Timone Hospital, Marseille, France
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10
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Toffa DH, Touma L, El Meskine T, Bouthillier A, Nguyen DK. Learnings from 30 years of reported efficacy and safety of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for epilepsy treatment: A critical review. Seizure 2020; 83:104-123. [PMID: 33120323 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2020.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Three decades after its introduction as an adjuvant therapeutic option in the management of selective drug-resistant epilepsy cases (DRE), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) retains growing interest. An implantable device was first approved for epilepsy in Europe in 1994 and in the United States (US) in 1997. Subsequent modifications improved the safety and the efficacy of the system. The most recent application of vagal neurostimulation is represented by transcutaneous devices that are claimed to have strong therapeutic potential. In this review, we sought to analyze the most meaningful available data describing the indications, safety and efficacy of the different approaches of VNS in clinical practice. Therefore, we identified studies reporting VNS efficacy and/or safety in epilepsy and its comorbidities from January 1990 to February 2020 from various databases including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, US government databases and VNS manufacturer published resources. In general, VNS efficacy becomes optimal around the sixth month of treatment and a 50-100 % seizure frequency reduction is achieved in approximately 45-65 % of the patients. However, some clinically relevant differences have been reported with specific factors such as epilepsy etiology or type, patient age as well as the delay of VNS therapy onset. VNS efficacy on seizure frequency has been demonstrated in both children and adults, in lesional and non-lesional cases, in focal and generalized epilepsies, on both seizures and epilepsy comorbidities. Regarding the latter, VNS can lead to an improvement of about 25-35 % in depression scores, 35 % in anxiety scores and 25 % in mood assessment scores. If non-invasive devices are undeniably safer, their efficacy is limited due to the scarcity of large cohort studies and the disparity of methodological approaches (study design and stimulation parameters). Overall, we believe that there is a progress margin for improving the safety of implantable devices and, above all, the effectiveness of the various VNS approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dènahin Hinnoutondji Toffa
- Department of Neurology, CHUM, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; CHUM Research Center, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada.
| | - Lahoud Touma
- Department of Neurology, CHUM, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Alain Bouthillier
- Department of Neurosurgery, CHUM, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Dang Khoa Nguyen
- Department of Neurology, CHUM, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; CHUM Research Center, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
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11
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Hamdi H, Brun G, Zanello M, Dibué M, Beltaifa Y, Lagarde S, Trébuchon A, Bartolomei F, Carron R. VNS implantation in a NF1 patient: massive nerve hypertrophy discovered intra-operatively preventing successful electrode placement. Case report. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2020; 162:2509-2512. [PMID: 32809069 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-020-04535-y] [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: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
For the vast majority of surgeons, no specific investigation is necessary before vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) implantation. We report our intraoperative unexpected finding of a massively enlarged vagus nerve in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). The nerve hypertrophy prevented wrapping the coils of the helical electrode. The patient had no signs of vagus nerve dysfunction preoperatively (no hoarseness or dysphonia). This exceptional mishap is undoubtedly related to NF1-associated peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Even though it is not advisable to routinely perform any imaging prior to VNS, in such specific context, preoperative imaging work-up, especially cervical ultrasound, might be judicious to rule out any asymptomatic enlarged left vagus nerve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Hamdi
- Department of Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Timone University Hospital, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
- APHM, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Functional Neurosurgery and Stereotaxy Unit, Neurological Surgery Department, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Gilles Brun
- Department of Neuroradiology, Timone University Hospital, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Marc Zanello
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Maxine Dibué
- Department of Neurosurgery, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Yassine Beltaifa
- Department of Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Timone University Hospital, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Stanislas Lagarde
- Epileptology Department, Timone Hospital, APHM, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Agnes Trébuchon
- Epileptology Department, Timone Hospital, APHM, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Fabrice Bartolomei
- Epileptology Department, Timone Hospital, APHM, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Romain Carron
- Department of Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Timone University Hospital, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France.
- APHM, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France.
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12
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Chang CC, Kao YC, Chao CY, Tzeng NS, Chang HA. The Effects of Bi-Anodal tDCS Over the Prefrontal Cortex Regions With Extracephalic Reference Placement on Insight Levels and Cardio-Respiratory and Autonomic Functions in Schizophrenia Patients and Exploratory Biomarker Analyses for Treatment Response. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 24:40-53. [PMID: 32808025 PMCID: PMC7816677 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaa063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously showed the efficacy of bi-anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the prefrontal cortex (PFC) regions with extracephalic reference placement in improving negative symptoms in schizophrenia. In this ancillary investigation, the effects of this intervention on insight levels, other clinical outcomes, and cardio-respiratory and autonomic functions were examined and the potential of biomarkers for treatment response was explored. METHODS Schizophrenia patients were randomly allocated to receive 10 sessions of bi-anodal tDCS over the PFC regions with extracephalic reference placement (2 mA, 20 minutes, twice daily for 5 weeks) or sham stimulation. We examined, in 60 patients at baseline, immediately after stimulation and at follow-up visits, the insight levels, other clinical outcomes, blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, and heart rate variability. RESULTS Insight levels as assessed by the abbreviated version of the Scale to Assess Unawareness in Mental Disorder in schizophrenia awareness of the disease, positive and negative symptoms dimensions, and beliefs about medication compliance as assessed by Medication Adherence Rating Scale were significantly enhanced by active stimulation relative to sham. No effects were observed on cognitive insight, other clinical outcomes, or cardio-respiratory and autonomic functions. Heart rate variability indices as biomarkers were not associated with the clinical response to the intervention. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide evidence for bi-anodal tDCS over the PFC regions with extracephalic reference placement in heightening the levels of insight into the disease and symptoms, as well as beliefs about medication compliance in schizophrenia, without impacting other clinical outcomes and cardio-respiratory/autonomic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan-Chia Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan,Correspondence: Hsin-An Chang, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, No. 325, Cheng-Kung Road, Sec. 2, Nei-Hu District, Taipei, 114, Taiwan, Tel/Fax: 011-886-2-8792-7220 / 011-886-2-8792-7221 ()
| | - Yu-Chen Kao
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan,Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital Songshan Branch, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Che-Yi Chao
- Department of Psychiatry, Cardinal Tien Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Nian-Sheng Tzeng
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan,Student Counseling Center, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-An Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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13
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Cheng J, Shen H, Chowdhury R, Abdi T, Selaru F, Chen JDZ. Potential of Electrical Neuromodulation for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2020; 26:1119-1130. [PMID: 31782957 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izz289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract that is often debilitating. It affects patients' quality of life and imposes a financial burden. Despite advances in treatment with medications such as biologics, a large proportion of patients do not respond to medical therapy or develop adverse events. Therefore, alternative treatment options such as electrical neuromodulation are currently being investigated. Electrical neuromodulation, also called bioelectronic medicine, is emerging as a potential new treatment for IBD. Over the past decade, advancements have been made in electrical neuromodulation. A number of electrical neuromodulation methods, such as vagus nerve stimulation, sacral nerve stimulation, and tibial nerve stimulation, have been tested to treat IBD. A series of animal and clinical trials have been performed to evaluate efficacy with promising results. Although the exact underlying mechanisms of action for electrical neuromodulation remain to be explored, this modality is promising. Further randomized controlled trials and basic experiments are needed to investigate efficacy and clarify intrinsic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafei Cheng
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Hong Shen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Reezwana Chowdhury
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tsion Abdi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Florin Selaru
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jiande D Z Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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14
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Jiang Y, Po SS, Amil F, Dasari TW. Non-invasive Low-level Tragus Stimulation in Cardiovascular Diseases. Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev 2020; 9:40-46. [PMID: 32637119 PMCID: PMC7330730 DOI: 10.15420/aer.2020.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Low-level tragus stimulation (LLTS) is a non-invasive approach of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation. LLTS has applications in diseases of multiple systems, including epilepsy, depression, headache and potentially several cardiovascular diseases. LLTS has shown promising results in suppressing AF, alleviating post-MI ventricular arrhythmias and ischaemia-reperfusion injury along with improving diastolic parameters in heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF). Preliminary pilot clinical studies in patients with paroxysmal AF, HFpEF, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and acute MI have demonstrated promising results. The beneficial effects are likely secondary to favourable alteration of the sympathovagal imbalance. On-going exploratory work focused on underlying mechanisms of LLTS in cardiovascular disease states and larger scale clinical trials will shed more light on the non-invasive modulation of the neuro-immune axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunqiu Jiang
- Cardiac Arrhythmias Section, Heart Center, Beijing Chao-yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Sunny S Po
- Cardiovascular Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, US
| | - Faris Amil
- College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, US
| | - Tarun W Dasari
- Cardiovascular Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, US
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15
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Rosso P, Iannitelli A, Pacitti F, Quartini A, Fico E, Fiore M, Greco A, Ralli M, Tirassa P. Vagus nerve stimulation and Neurotrophins: a biological psychiatric perspective. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 113:338-353. [PMID: 32278791 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Since 2004, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been used in treatment-resistant or treatment-intolerant depressive episodes. Today, VNS is suggested as possible therapy for a larger spectrum of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorders, and panic disorders. Despite a large body of literature supports the application of VNS in patients' treatment, the exact mechanism of action of VNS remains not fully understood. In the present study, the major knowledges on the brain areas and neuronal pathways regulating neuroimmune and autonomic response subserving VNS effects are reviewed. Furthermore, the involvement of the neurotrophins (NTs) Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in vagus nerve (VN) physiology and stimulation is revised. The data on brain NGF/BDNF synthesis and in turn on the activity-dependent plasticity, connectivity rearrangement and neurogenesis, are presented and discussed as potential biomarkers for optimizing stimulatory parameters for VNS. A vagus nerve-neurotrophin interaction model in the brain is finally proposed as a working hypothesis for future studies addressed to understand pathophysiology of psychiatric disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Rosso
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biochemistry & Cell Biology (IBBC), Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Iannitelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesca Pacitti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy; Psychiatry Unit San Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Adele Quartini
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Elena Fico
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biochemistry & Cell Biology (IBBC), Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Fiore
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biochemistry & Cell Biology (IBBC), Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ralli
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Tirassa
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biochemistry & Cell Biology (IBBC), Rome, Italy.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To give an overview on recent developments in permanent implant-based therapy of resistant hypertension. RECENT FINDINGS The American Heart Association (AHA) recently updated their guidelines to treat high blood pressure (BP). As elevated BP now is defined as a systolic BP above 120 mmHg, the prevalence of hypertension in the USA has increased from 32% (old definition of hypertension) to 46%. In the past years, device- and implant-mediated therapies have evolved and extensively studied in various patient populations. Despite an initial drawback in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of bilateral carotid sinus stimulation (CSS), new and less invasive and unilateral systems for baroreflex activation therapy (BAT) with the BAROSTIM NEO® have been developed which show promising results in small non-randomized controlled (RCT) studies. Selective vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) has been successfully evaluated in rodents, but has not yet been tested in humans. A new endovascular approach to reshape the carotid sinus to lower BP (MobiusHD™) has been introduced (baroreflex amplification therapy) with favorable results in non-RCT trials. However, long-term results are not yet available for this treatment option. A specific subgroup of patients, those with indication for a 2-chamber cardiac pacemaker, may benefit from a new stimulation paradigm which reduces the AV latency and therefore limits the filling time of the left ventricle. The most invasive approach for resistant hypertension still is the neuromodulation by deep brain stimulation (DBS), which has been shown to significantly lower BP in single cases. Implant-mediated therapy remains a promising approach for the treatment of resistant hypertension. Due to their invasiveness, such treatment options must prove superiority over conventional therapies with regard to safety and efficacy before they can be generally offered to a wider patient population. Overall, BAROSTIM NEO® and MobiusHD™, for which large RCTs will soon be available, are likely to meet those criteria and may represent the first implant-mediated therapeutical options for hypertension, while the use of DBS probably will be reserved for individual cases. The utility of VNS awaits appropriate assessment.
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Sterman J, Cunqueiro A, Dym RJ, Spektor M, Lipton ML, Revzin MV, Scheinfeld MH. Implantable Electronic Stimulation Devices from Head to Sacrum: Imaging Features and Functions. Radiographics 2019; 39:1056-1074. [DOI: 10.1148/rg.2019180088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Sterman
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Emergency Radiology (J.S., A.C., M.L.L., M.H.S.), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (M.L.L.), and Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience (M.L.L.), Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 E 210th St, Bronx, NY 10467; Department of Radiology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ (R.J.D.); and Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (M.S., M.V.R.)
| | - Alain Cunqueiro
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Emergency Radiology (J.S., A.C., M.L.L., M.H.S.), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (M.L.L.), and Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience (M.L.L.), Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 E 210th St, Bronx, NY 10467; Department of Radiology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ (R.J.D.); and Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (M.S., M.V.R.)
| | - R. Joshua Dym
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Emergency Radiology (J.S., A.C., M.L.L., M.H.S.), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (M.L.L.), and Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience (M.L.L.), Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 E 210th St, Bronx, NY 10467; Department of Radiology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ (R.J.D.); and Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (M.S., M.V.R.)
| | - Michael Spektor
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Emergency Radiology (J.S., A.C., M.L.L., M.H.S.), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (M.L.L.), and Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience (M.L.L.), Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 E 210th St, Bronx, NY 10467; Department of Radiology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ (R.J.D.); and Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (M.S., M.V.R.)
| | - Michael L. Lipton
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Emergency Radiology (J.S., A.C., M.L.L., M.H.S.), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (M.L.L.), and Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience (M.L.L.), Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 E 210th St, Bronx, NY 10467; Department of Radiology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ (R.J.D.); and Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (M.S., M.V.R.)
| | - Margarita V. Revzin
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Emergency Radiology (J.S., A.C., M.L.L., M.H.S.), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (M.L.L.), and Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience (M.L.L.), Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 E 210th St, Bronx, NY 10467; Department of Radiology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ (R.J.D.); and Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (M.S., M.V.R.)
| | - Meir H. Scheinfeld
- From the Department of Radiology, Division of Emergency Radiology (J.S., A.C., M.L.L., M.H.S.), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (M.L.L.), and Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience (M.L.L.), Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 E 210th St, Bronx, NY 10467; Department of Radiology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ (R.J.D.); and Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (M.S., M.V.R.)
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18
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Yang J, Phi JH. The Present and Future of Vagus Nerve Stimulation. J Korean Neurosurg Soc 2019; 62:344-352. [PMID: 31085961 PMCID: PMC6514309 DOI: 10.3340/jkns.2019.0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the major chronic neurological diseases affecting many patients. Resection surgery is the most effective therapy for medically intractable epilepsy, but it is not feasible in all patients. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an adjunctive neuromodulation therapy that was approved in 1997 for the alleviation of seizures; however, efforts to control epilepsy by stimulating the vagus nerve have been studied for over 100 years. Although its exact mechanism is still under investigation, VNS is thought to affect various brain areas. Hence, VNS has a wide indication for various intractable epileptic syndromes and epilepsyrelated comorbidities. Moreover, recent studies have shown anti-inflammatory effects of VNS, and the indication is expanding beyond epilepsy to rheumatoid arthritis, chronic headaches, and depression. VNS yields a more than 50% reduction in seizures in approximately 60% of recipients, with an increase in reduction rates as the follow-up duration increases. The complication rate of VNS is 3–6%, and infection is the most important complication to consider. However, revision surgery was reported to be feasible and safe with appropriate measures. Recently, noninvasive VNS (nVNS) has been introduced, which can be performed transcutaneously without implantation surgery. Although more clinical trials are being conducted, nVNS can reduce the risk of infection and subsequent device failure. In conclusion, VNS has been demonstrated to be beneficial and effective in the treatment of epilepsy and various diseases, and more development is expected in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeyul Yang
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Hoon Phi
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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19
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Haney MM, Ericsson AC, Lever TE. Effects of Intraoperative Vagal Nerve Stimulation on the Gastrointestinal Microbiome in a Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Comp Med 2018; 68:452-460. [PMID: 30424824 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-18-000039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal microbiota (GM) plays a fundamental role in health and disease and contributes to the bidirectional signaling between the gastrointestinal system and brain. The direct line of communication between these organ systems is through the vagus nerve. Therefore, vagal nerve stimulation (VNS), a commonly used technique for multiple disorders, has potential to modulate the enteric microbiota, enabling investigation and possibly treatment of numerous neurologic disorders in which the microbiota has been linked with disease. Here we investigate the effect of VNS in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). B6SJL-Tg(SOD1*G93A)dl1Gur (SOD1dl) and wildtype mice underwent ventral neck surgery to access the vagus nerve. During surgery, the experimental group received 1 h of VNS, whereas the sham group underwent 1 h of sham treatment. The third (control) group did not undergo any surgical manipulation. Fecal samples were collected before surgery and at 8 d after the initial collection. Microbial DNA was sequenced to determine the GM profiles at both time points. GM profiles did not differ between genotypes at either the initial or end point. In addition, VNS did not alter GM populations, according to the parameters chosen in this study, indicating that this short intraoperative treatment is safe and has no lasting effects on the GM. Future studies are warranted to determine whether different stimulation parameters or chronic use of VNS affect GM profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M Haney
- Metagenomics Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
| | - Aaron C Ericsson
- Metagenomics Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Teresa E Lever
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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20
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Abstract
In this review, we provide an overview of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved clinical uses of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) as well as information about the ongoing studies and preclinical research to expand the use of VNS to additional applications. VNS is currently FDA approved for therapeutic use in patients aged >12 years with drug-resistant epilepsy and depression. Recent studies of VNS in in vivo systems have shown that it has anti-inflammatory properties which has led to more preclinical research aimed at expanding VNS treatment across a wider range of inflammatory disorders. Although the signaling pathway and mechanism by which VNS affects inflammation remain unknown, VNS has shown promising results in treating chronic inflammatory disorders such as sepsis, lung injury, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and diabetes. It is also being used to control pain in fibromyalgia and migraines. This new preclinical research shows that VNS bears the promise of being applied to a wider range of therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhaya L Johnson
- Lawrence D Longo MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Christopher G Wilson
- Lawrence D Longo MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
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21
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Stauss HM. Differential hemodynamic and respiratory responses to right and left cervical vagal nerve stimulation in rats. Physiol Rep 2017; 5:5/7/e13244. [PMID: 28400500 PMCID: PMC5392529 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.13244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromodulation through vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is currently explored for a variety of clinical conditions. However, there are no established VNS parameters for animal models of human diseases, such as hypertension. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess hemodynamic and respiratory responses to right‐ or left‐sided cervical VNS in a hypertensive rat model. Anesthetized stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats were instrumented for arterial blood pressure and heart rate monitoring and left‐ or right‐sided VNS. Cervical VNS was applied through bipolar coil electrodes. Stimulation parameters tested were 3 V and 6 V, 2 Hz to 20 Hz stimulation frequency, and 50 μsec to 20 msec pulse duration. Each combination of stimulation parameters was applied twice with altered polarity, that is, anode and cathode in the cranial and caudal position. Respiration rate was derived from systolic blood pressure fluctuations. In general, cervical VNS caused bradycardia, hypotension, and tachypnea. These responses were more pronounced with left‐sided than with right‐sided VNS and depended on the stimulation voltage, stimulation frequency, and pulse duration, but not on the polarity of stimulation. Furthermore, the results suggest that at low stimulation frequencies (<5 Hz) and short pulse durations (<0.5 msec) primarily larger A‐fibers are activated, while at longer pulse durations (>0.5 msec) smaller B‐fibers are also recruited. In conclusion, in rats left‐sided cervical VNS causes greater cardio‐respiratory responses than right‐sided VNS and at lower stimulation frequencies (e.g., 5 Hz), longer pulse durations (>0.5 msec) seem to be required to consistently recruit B‐fibers in addition to A‐fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald M Stauss
- Department of Health and Human Physiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
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22
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Englot DJ, Rolston JD, Wright CW, Hassnain KH, Chang EF. Rates and Predictors of Seizure Freedom With Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Intractable Epilepsy. Neurosurgery 2017; 79:345-53. [PMID: 26645965 PMCID: PMC4884552 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000001165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. BACKGROUND: Neuromodulation-based treatments have become increasingly important in epilepsy treatment. Most patients with epilepsy treated with neuromodulation do not achieve complete seizure freedom, and, therefore, previous studies of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy have focused instead on reduction of seizure frequency as a measure of treatment response. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate rates and predictors of seizure freedom with VNS. METHODS: We examined 5554 patients from the VNS therapy Patient Outcome Registry, and also performed a systematic review of the literature including 2869 patients across 78 studies. RESULTS: Registry data revealed a progressive increase over time in seizure freedom after VNS therapy. Overall, 49% of patients responded to VNS therapy 0 to 4 months after implantation (≥50% reduction seizure frequency), with 5.1% of patients becoming seizure-free, while 63% of patients were responders at 24 to 48 months, with 8.2% achieving seizure freedom. On multivariate analysis, seizure freedom was predicted by age of epilepsy onset >12 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38-2.58), and predominantly generalized seizure type (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.01-1.82), while overall response to VNS was predicted by nonlesional epilepsy (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.06-1.81). Systematic literature review results were consistent with the registry analysis: At 0 to 4 months, 40.0% of patients had responded to VNS, with 2.6% becoming seizure-free, while at last follow-up, 60.1% of individuals were responders, with 8.0% achieving seizure freedom. CONCLUSION: Response and seizure freedom rates increase over time with VNS therapy, although complete seizure freedom is achieved in a small percentage of patients. ABBREVIATIONS: AED, antiepileptic drug VNS, vagus nerve stimulation
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario J Englot
- *UCSF Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, University of California, San Francisco, California; ‡Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California; §Cyberonics, Inc., Houston, Texas
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Nonis R, D’Ostilio K, Schoenen J, Magis D. Evidence of activation of vagal afferents by non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation: An electrophysiological study in healthy volunteers. Cephalalgia 2017; 37:1285-1293. [PMID: 28648089 PMCID: PMC5680905 DOI: 10.1177/0333102417717470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Benefits of cervical non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) devices have been shown in episodic cluster headache and preliminarily suggested in migraine, but direct evidence of vagus nerve activation using such devices is lacking. Vagal somatosensory evoked potentials (vSEPs) associated with vagal afferent activation have been reported for invasive vagus nerve stimulation (iVNS) and non-invasive auricular vagal stimulation. Here, we aimed to show and characterise vSEPs for cervical nVNS. Methods vSEPs were recorded for 12 healthy volunteers who received nVNS over the cervical vagus nerve, bipolar electrode/DS7A stimulation over the inner tragus, and nVNS over the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle. We measured peak-to-peak amplitudes (P1-N1), wave latencies, and N1 area under the curve. Results P1-N1 vSEPs were observed for cervical nVNS (11/12) and auricular stimulation (9/12), with latencies similar to those described previously, whereas SCM stimulation revealed only a muscle artefact with a much longer latency. A dose-response analysis showed that cervical nVNS elicited a clear vSEP response in more than 80% of the participants using an intensity of 15 V. Conclusion Cervical nVNS can activate vagal afferent fibres, as evidenced by the recording of far-field vSEPs similar to those seen with iVNS and non-invasive auricular stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Nonis
- Headache Research Unit, University Department of Neurology CHR, Liège, Belgium
| | - Kevin D’Ostilio
- Headache Research Unit, University Department of Neurology CHR, Liège, Belgium
| | - Jean Schoenen
- Headache Research Unit, University Department of Neurology CHR, Liège, Belgium
| | - Delphine Magis
- Headache Research Unit, University Department of Neurology CHR, Liège, Belgium
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Garamendi-Ruiz I, Gómez-Esteban JC. Cardiovascular autonomic effects of vagus nerve stimulation. Clin Auton Res 2017; 29:183-194. [DOI: 10.1007/s10286-017-0477-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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25
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Giordano F, Zicca A, Barba C, Guerrini R, Genitori L. Vagus nerve stimulation: Surgical technique of implantation and revision and related morbidity. Epilepsia 2017; 58 Suppl 1:85-90. [DOI: 10.1111/epi.13678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Flavio Giordano
- Department of Neurosurgery; Anna Meyer Hospital; University of Firenze; Firenze Italy
| | - Anna Zicca
- Department of Neuroanaesthesiology; Anna Meyer Hospital; University of Firenze; Firenze Italy
| | - Carmen Barba
- Pediatric Neurology Unit; Anna Meyer Hospital; University of Firenze; Firenze Italy
| | - Renzo Guerrini
- Pediatric Neurology Unit; Anna Meyer Hospital; University of Firenze; Firenze Italy
| | - Lorenzo Genitori
- Department of Neurosurgery; Anna Meyer Hospital; University of Firenze; Firenze Italy
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Balasubramanian K, Harikumar K, Nagaraj N, Pati S. Vagus Nerve Stimulation Modulates Complexity of Heart Rate Variability Differently during Sleep and Wakefulness. Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2017; 20:403-407. [PMID: 29184345 PMCID: PMC5682746 DOI: 10.4103/aian.aian_148_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Progressive loss of heart rate variability (HRV) and complexity are associated with increased risk of mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease and are a candidate marker for patients at risk of sudden cardiac death. HRV is influenced by the cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS), although it is unclear which arm of the ANS (sympathetic or parasympathetic) needs to be perturbed to increase the complexity of HRV. In this case–control study, we have analyzed the relation between modulation of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and changes in complexity of HRV as a function of states of vigilance. We hypothesize that VNS – being a preferential activator of the parasympathetic system – will decrease the heart rate (HR) and increase the complexity of HRV maximum during sleep. The electrocardiogram (EKG) obtained from a 37-year-old, right-handed male with known intractable partial epilepsy and left therapeutic VNS was analyzed during wakefulness and sleep with VNS ON and OFF states. Age-matched control EKG was obtained from five participants (three with intractable epilepsy and two without epilepsy) that had no VNS implant. The study demonstrated the following: (1) VNS increased the complexity of HRV during sleep and decreased it during wakefulness. (2) An increase in parasympathetic tone is associated with increased complexity of HRV even in the presence of decreased HR. These results need to be replicated in a larger cohort before developing patterned stimulation using VNS to stabilize cardiac dysautonomia and prevent fatal arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthi Balasubramanian
- Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amrita University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - K Harikumar
- Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amrita University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Nithin Nagaraj
- Consciousness Studies Programme, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Sandipan Pati
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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Arle JE, Carlson KW, Mei L. Investigation of mechanisms of vagus nerve stimulation for seizure using finite element modeling. Epilepsy Res 2016; 126:109-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2016.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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28
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Right and left vagus nerves regulate breathing by multiplicative interaction. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2015; 219:25-9. [PMID: 26248020 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2015.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Revised: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Although it has been recognized for more than a century, we still do not know how the two vagus nerves interact to produce Hering-Breuer reflex. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that the vagus nerves interact via a multiplicative effect. We examined the Hering-Breuer reflex before and after unilateral (first) and then bilateral (second) vagotomies in the mouse. The lung is mostly innervated homolaterally. Since the right and left lung formed 68.2 and 31.8% of total lung weight, if the interaction is mediated by an additive mechanism, unilateral vagotomy would remove the reflex effects by 68.2 and 31.8%, respectively. Instead, unilateral vagotomy removed 85.4 ± 6.0% (>68.2%) or 52.8 ± 3.7% (>31.8%) of the reflex effects on respiratory rate (n=9, P<0.05); and removed 79.1 ± 4.5% (>68.2%) or 59.3 ± 9.1% (>31.8%) of the effect on expiratory pause induced by lung inflation (n=12, P<0.05). Since the first vagotomy removes more reflex effect than the second vagotomy, we conclude that the two vagus nerves exert their Hering-Breuer reflex effects by a multiplicative effect.
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Galbarriatu L, Pomposo I, Aurrecoechea J, Marinas A, Agúndez M, Gómez JC, Acera MA, Martínez MJ, Valle E, Maestro I, Mateos B, Cabrera A, Fernández J, Iturri F, Garamendi I. Vagus nerve stimulation therapy for treatment-resistant epilepsy: a 15-year experience at a single institution. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2015; 137:89-93. [PMID: 26164349 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2015.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2014] [Revised: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/28/2015] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Treatment-resistant epilepsy (TRE) occurs in 20-30% of patients. The goal of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in this group of patients, including adult and pediatric populations and several off-label indications. METHODS This is a retrospective review of 59 consecutive patients in whom 60 VNS devices were implanted at a single institution during a 15-year period. Patients were evaluated in the Multidisciplinary Epilepsy Committee and complete presurgical workup was performed. The series included indications not approved by the FDA, such as children under 12 years of age, pregnancy and right-sided VNS. Performing the procedure on an out-patient basis was recently adopted, minimizing hospital length of stay. RESULTS There were 42 adults and 17 children (14 under 12 years of age) and the mean age at implantation was 26 years. Duration of VNS therapy ranged from 6 months to 9 years. For the entire cohort, the mean percentage seizure reduction was 31.37%. Twenty patients (34.48%) were considered responders (seizure reduction ≥50%); 7 patients (12.06%) had seizure reduction of ≥75% and 2 patients had seizure control of ≥90% (3.4%). The patient in whom right-sided VNS was implanted achieved the same reduction in seizure burden and the patient who became pregnant could reduce antiepileptic drugs dosage, without complications. Side-effects were mild and there were no permanent nerve injuries. One patient died in the follow-up due to psychiatric disorders previously known. CONCLUSIONS VNS is a safe and effective palliative treatment for TRE patients. There are an increasing number of indications and further randomized trials would potentially expand the number of patients who may benefit from it. A multidisciplinary team is crucial for a complete preoperative evaluation and selection of the optimal candidates for the treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Galbarriatu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain.
| | - I Pomposo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - J Aurrecoechea
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - A Marinas
- Department of Neurology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - M Agúndez
- Department of Neurology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - J C Gómez
- Department of Neurology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - M A Acera
- Department of Neurology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - M J Martínez
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - E Valle
- Department of Neurophysiology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - I Maestro
- Department of Neurophysiology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - B Mateos
- Department of Radiology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - A Cabrera
- Department of Radiology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - J Fernández
- Department of Psychiatry, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - F Iturri
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - I Garamendi
- Department of Neurology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
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30
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Conway CR, Colijn MA, Schachter SC. Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Epilepsy and Depression. Brain Stimul 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/9781118568323.ch17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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Cai PY, Bodhit A, Derequito R, Ansari S, Abukhalil F, Thenkabail S, Ganji S, Saravanapavan P, Shekar CC, Bidari S, Waters MF, Hedna VS. Vagus nerve stimulation in ischemic stroke: old wine in a new bottle. Front Neurol 2014; 5:107. [PMID: 25009531 PMCID: PMC4067569 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2014.00107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is currently Food and Drug Administration-approved for treatment of both medically refractory partial-onset seizures and severe, recurrent refractory depression, which has failed to respond to medical interventions. Because of its ability to regulate mechanisms well-studied in neuroscience, such as norepinephrine and serotonin release, the vagus nerve may play an important role in regulating cerebral blood flow, edema, inflammation, glutamate excitotoxicity, and neurotrophic processes. There is strong evidence that these same processes are important in stroke pathophysiology. We reviewed the literature for the role of VNS in improving ischemic stroke outcomes by performing a systematic search for publications in Medline (1966–2014) with keywords “VNS AND stroke” in subject headings and key words with no language restrictions. Of the 73 publications retrieved, we identified 7 studies from 3 different research groups that met our final inclusion criteria of research studies addressing the role of VNS in ischemic stroke. Results from these studies suggest that VNS has promising efficacy in reducing stroke volume and attenuating neurological deficits in ischemic stroke models. Given the lack of success in Phase III trials for stroke neuroprotection, it is important to develop new therapies targeting different neuroprotective pathways. Further studies of the possible role of VNS, through normally physiologically active mechanisms, in ischemic stroke therapeutics should be conducted in both animal models and clinical studies. In addition, recent advent of a non-invasive, transcutaneous VNS could provide the potential for easier clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Y Cai
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA ; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA
| | - Aakash Bodhit
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA
| | - Roselle Derequito
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA
| | - Saeed Ansari
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA ; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA ; Department of Surgery, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA
| | - Fawzi Abukhalil
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA
| | | | - Sarah Ganji
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA
| | | | - Chandana C Shekar
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA
| | | | - Michael F Waters
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA ; Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA
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32
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Amar AP. Vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of intractable epilepsy. Expert Rev Neurother 2014; 7:1763-73. [DOI: 10.1586/14737175.7.12.1763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Complications of vagal nerve stimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy: a single center longitudinal study of 143 patients. Seizure 2013; 22:827-33. [PMID: 23867218 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2013.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Revised: 06/19/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To longitudinally study surgical and hardware complications to vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) treatment in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. METHODS In a longitudinal retrospective study, we analyzed surgical and hardware complications in 143 patients (81 men and 62 women) who between 1994 and 2010 underwent implantation of a VNS-device for drug-resistant epilepsy. The mean follow-up time was 62 ± 46 months and the total number of patient years 738. RESULTS 251 procedures were performed on 143 patients. 16.8% of the patients were afflicted by complications related to surgery and 16.8% suffered from hardware malfunctions. Surgical complications were: superficial infection in 3.5%, deep infection needing explantation in 3.5%, vocal cord palsy in 5.6%, which persisted in at least 0.7% for over one year, and other complications in 5.6%. Hardware-related complications were: lead fracture in 11.9% of patients, disconnection in 2.8%, spontaneous turn-off in 1.4% and stimulator malfunction in 1.4%. We noted a tendency to different survival times between the two most commonly used lead models as well as a tendency to increased infection rate with increasing number of stimulator replacements. CONCLUSION In this series we report on surgical and hardware complications from our 16 years of experience with VNS treatment. Infection following insertion of the VNS device and vocal cord palsy due to damage to the vagus nerve are the most serious complications related to the surgery. Avoiding unnecessary reoperations in order to reduce the appearances of these complications are of great importance. It is therefore essential to minimize technical malfunctions that will lead to additional surgery. Further studies are needed to evaluate the possible superiority of the modified leads.
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Yoo PB, Lubock NB, Hincapie JG, Ruble SB, Hamann JJ, Grill WM. High-resolution measurement of electrically-evoked vagus nerve activity in the anesthetized dog. J Neural Eng 2013; 10:026003. [PMID: 23370017 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2560/10/2/026003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Not fully understanding the type of axons activated during vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is one of several factors that limit the clinical efficacy of VNS therapies. The main goal of this study was to characterize the electrical recruitment of both myelinated and unmyelinated fibers within the cervical vagus nerve. APPROACH In anesthetized dogs, recording nerve cuff electrodes were implanted on the vagus nerve following surgical excision of the epineurium. Both the vagal electroneurogram (ENG) and laryngeal muscle activity were recorded in response to stimulation of the right vagus nerve. MAIN RESULTS Desheathing the nerve significantly increased the signal-to-noise ratio of the ENG by 1.2 to 9.9 dB, depending on the nerve fiber type. Repeated VNS following nerve transection or neuromuscular block (1) enabled the characterization of A-fibers, two sub-types of B-fibers, and unmyelinated C-fibers, (2) confirmed the absence of stimulation-evoked reflex compound nerve action potentials in both the ipsilateral and contralateral vagus nerves, and (3) provided evidence of stimulus spillover into muscle tissue surrounding the stimulating electrode. SIGNIFICANCE Given the anatomical similarities between the canine and human vagus nerves, the results of this study provide a template for better understanding the nerve fiber recruitment patterns associated with VNS therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul B Yoo
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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35
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Lead breakage and vocal cord paralysis following blunt neck trauma in a patient with vagal nerve stimulator. J Neurol Sci 2012; 304:132-5. [PMID: 21397256 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2011.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2010] [Revised: 02/10/2011] [Accepted: 02/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Patients with medically intractable seizures who are not candidates for epilepsy surgery are left with few options. Vagal nerve stimulation therapy is often a viable alternative for these patients and can have a positive impact on quality of life. Rarely complications may occur. We report a case of mild blunt neck trauma resulting in VNS malfunction and delayed vocal cord paralysis. A systematic review of the literature on VNS malfunction, self-inflicted injuries, vagal nerve injury, and common side effects including voice changes was performed. Only a handful of relevant publications were found. Symptoms following VNS dysfunction include pain, dyspnea, and dysphonia. These symptoms are usually nonspecific, and in many cases, do not help differentiate from vagal nerve traction, lead breakage, or pulse generator malfunction. In our case, lead fracture and visible traction injury to the left vagus nerve were seen during surgical exploration. The vocal cord function completely recovered after revision of the leads. Prompt medical attention including appropriate diagnostic studies and early surgical exploration is necessary in cases of delayed vocal cord dysfunction and can help prevent long-term complications such as neuroma formation. The authors present a unique case of reversible vocal cord injury from blunt neck trauma leading to left vagus nerve damage.
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36
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Rolston JD, Englot DJ, Wang DD, Shih T, Chang EF. Comparison of seizure control outcomes and the safety of vagus nerve, thalamic deep brain, and responsive neurostimulation: evidence from randomized controlled trials. Neurosurg Focus 2012; 32:E14. [DOI: 10.3171/2012.1.focus11335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a devastating disease, often refractory to medication and not amenable to resective surgery. For patients whose seizures continue despite the best medical and surgical therapy, 3 stimulation-based therapies have demonstrated positive results in prospective randomized trials: vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation of the thalamic anterior nucleus, and responsive neurostimulation. All 3 neuromodulatory therapies offer significant reductions in seizure frequency for patients with partial epilepsy. A direct comparison of trial results, however, reveals important differences among outcomes and surgical risk between devices. The authors review published results from these pivotal trials and highlight important differences between the trials and devices and their application in clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tina Shih
- 2Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, California
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Krahl SE. Vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy: A review of the peripheral mechanisms. Surg Neurol Int 2012; 3:S47-52. [PMID: 22826811 PMCID: PMC3400480 DOI: 10.4103/2152-7806.91610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2011] [Accepted: 12/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a unique epilepsy treatment in that a peripheral intervention is used to treat a disease that is entirely related to pathological events occurring within the brain. To understand how stimulation of the vagus nerve can be used to stop seizures, an understanding of the peripheral anatomy and physiology of the vagus nerve is essential. The peripheral aspects of the vagus nerve are discussed in this review, with an explanation of which fibers and branches are involved in producing these antiepileptic effects, along with speculation about the potential for improving the therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott E. Krahl
- Research and Development Service, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California 90073, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
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Romanelli P, Striano P, Barbarisi M, Coppola G, Anschel DJ. Non-resective surgery and radiosurgery for treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. Epilepsy Res 2012; 99:193-201. [PMID: 22245137 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2011.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2011] [Revised: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 12/26/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy surgery is an effective treatment for properly selected patients with intractable seizures. However, many patients with medically intractable epilepsy are not excellent candidates for surgical resection of the epileptogenic zone. Due to recent advances in computer technology and bioengineering, several novel techniques are receiving increasing interest for their role in the care of people with epilepsy. Neuromodulation is an emerging surgical option to be used when conventional resective surgery is not indicated. We review the indications and expected outcomes of neuromodulatory treatments currently available for the treatment of refractory epilepsy, i.e., vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation, stereotactic radiosurgery, and multiple subpial transections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pantaleo Romanelli
- Cyberknife Radiosurgery Center, Centro Diagnostico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
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Abstract
Patients with medically intractable epilepsy who are not candidates for epilepsy surgery could benefit from neurostimulation. At this time, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy is the only Food and Drug Administation-approved neurostimulation modality; it has been shown to be efficacious and just as well tolerated in children and adolescents as in adults. Notwithstanding the initial cost of the device and implantation, VNS therapy has been shown to be a cost-effective treatment, reducing direct medical costs and improving health-related quality of life measures. Deep brain stimulation of various brain regions, especially the anterior nucleus of the thalamus and responsive neurostimulation, also appear effective but are not yet approved for clinical use. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, which is also in early clinical development, is promising and could become available in the not too distant future.
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40
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Spuck S, Tronnier V, Orosz I, Schönweiler R, Sepehrnia A, Nowak G, Sperner J. Operative and Technical Complications of Vagus Nerve Stimulator Implantation. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2010; 67:489-94. [DOI: 10.1227/neu.0b013e3181f88867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The treatment of refractory epilepsy by vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a well-established therapy option for patients not suitable for epilepsy surgery and therapy refractory depressions.
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze surgical and technical complications after implantation of left-sided VNS in patients with therapy-refractory epilepsy and depression.
METHODS:
One hundred five patients receiving a VNS or VNS-related operations (n = 118) from 1999 to 2008 were investigated retrospectively.
RESULTS:
At the time of operation, 84 patients were younger than 18 years, with a mean age of 10.5 years. Twenty (19%) patients had technical problems or complications. In 6 (5.7%) patients these problems were caused by the operation. The device was removed in 8 cases. The range of surgically and technically induced complications included electrode fractures, early and late onset of deep wound infections, transient vocal cord palsy, cardiac arrhythmia under test stimulation, electrode malfunction, and posttraumatic dysfunction of the stimulator.
CONCLUSION:
VNS therapy is combined with a wide spread of possible complications. Technical problems are to be expected, including electrode fracture, dislocation, and generator malfunction. The major complication in younger patients is the electrode fracture, which might be induced by growth during adolescence. Surgically induced complications of VNS implantation are comparably low. Cardiac symptoms and recurrent nerve palsy need to be taken into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Spuck
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Volker Tronnier
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Iren Orosz
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Medical University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Rainer Schönweiler
- Department of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Medical University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | | | - Georg Nowak
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Jürgen Sperner
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Medical University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
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Iturri Clavero F, González Uriarte A, Tamayo Medel G, Pomposo Gaztelu IC, Cano Dorronsoro M, Martínez Ruiz A. [Perioperative considerations in vagal nerve stimulator implantation]. REVISTA ESPANOLA DE ANESTESIOLOGIA Y REANIMACION 2010; 57:431-438. [PMID: 20857639 DOI: 10.1016/s0034-9356(10)70270-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Vagal nerve stimulation has become an a important tool in the treatment of refractory epilepsy, which continues to be the main indication for this technique. Other therapeutic indications are emerging, however, and vagal nerve stimulation has now been approved for major depression. Additional possible uses under study include morbid obesity, Alzheimer disease, chronic pain syndromes, and certain neuropsychologic disorders. This review considers perioperative aspects relevant to using this therapeutic procedure with a view to facilitating better and more integrated management of its application.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Iturri Clavero
- Servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación, Hospital de Cruces, Baracaldo,. Bizkaia.
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Ng WH, Donner E, Go C, Abou-Hamden A, Rutka JT. Revision of vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) electrodes: review and report on use of ultra-sharp monopolar tip. Childs Nerv Syst 2010; 26:1081-4. [PMID: 20225085 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-010-1121-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2010] [Accepted: 02/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE As a result of the increasingly popularity of vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) for intractable seizures, neurosurgeons not uncommonly encounter cases which require electrode revision. We examine our experience of VNS revision and reports the use of the ultra-sharp monopolar tip for safe dissection and removal of the electrode from the vagus nerve. METHODS A retrospective review was performed from January 2000 to Dec 2009 reviewed eight cases of VNS revision. RESULTS The indications for VNS revision were device malfunction manifesting with increased seizures or increased impedance of the device and infection. The time from initial VNS implantation to revision ranged from 6 to 108 months (mean: 38 months). The entire VNS electrode system, was removed in seven cases and the helical coils were left in-situ in one case who did not derive any benefit from VNS and it was deemed unnecessary to subject the patient to the additional risk of vagal nerve injury. One case had dislodgement of the lower two coils and three cases had dense scarring to the vagus nerve causing high impedance and malfunction. The other three cases demonstrated no fibrotic scar tissue between the helical coils and the vagus nerve. Four cases had replacement of new VNS system but the case of infected VNS stimulator was not replaced as there was no benefit from the device. CONCLUSION VNS revision is normally performed in cases of device malfunction or infection and can be safely performed using a combination of ultra-sharp monopolar coagulation and sharp dissection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Hoe Ng
- Division of Neurosurgery, Suite 1503, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Treatment of refractory epilepsy in adult patients with right-sided vagus nerve stimulation. Epilepsy Res 2010; 90:1-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2010.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2010] [Revised: 03/31/2010] [Accepted: 04/24/2010] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Vandermeeren Y, Jamart J, Ossemann M. Effect of tDCS with an extracephalic reference electrode on cardio-respiratory and autonomic functions. BMC Neurosci 2010; 11:38. [PMID: 20233439 PMCID: PMC2844382 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-11-38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2009] [Accepted: 03/16/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is used in human physiological studies and for therapeutic trials in patients with abnormalities of cortical excitability. Its safety profile places tDCS in the pole-position for translating in real-world therapeutic application. However, an episode of transient respiratory depression in a subject receiving tDCS with an extracephalic electrode led to the suggestion that such an electrode montage could modulate the brainstem autonomic centres. We investigated whether tDCS applied over the midline frontal cortex in 30 healthy volunteers (sham n = 10, cathodal n = 10, anodal n = 10) with an extracephalic reference electrode would modulate brainstem activity as reflected by the monitoring and stringent analysis of vital parameters: heart rate (variability), respiratory rate, blood pressure and sympatho-vagal balance. We reasoned that this study could lead to two opposite but equally interesting outcomes: 1) If tDCS with an extracephalic electrode modulated vital parameters, it could be used as a new tool to explore the autonomic nervous system and, even, to modulate its activity for therapeutic purposes. 2) On the opposite, if applying tDCS with an extracephalic electrode had no effect, it could thus be used safely in healthy human subjects. This outcome would significantly impact the field of non-invasive brain stimulation with tDCS. Indeed, on the one hand, using an extracephalic electrode as a genuine neutral reference (as opposed to the classical "bi-cephalic" tDCS montages which deliver bi-polar stimulation of the brain) would help to comfort the conclusions of several modern studies regarding the spatial location and polarity of tDCS. On the other hand, using an extracephalic reference electrode may impact differently on a given cortical target due to the change of direct current flow direction; this may enlarge the potential interventions with tDCS. Results Whereas the respiratory frequency decreased mildly over time and the blood pressure increased steadily, there was no differential impact of real (anodal or cathodal) versus sham tDCS. The heart rate remained stable during the monitoring period. The parameters reflecting the sympathovagal balance suggested a progressive shift over time favouring the sympathetic tone, again without differential impact of real versus sham tDCS. Conclusions Applying tDCS with an extracephalic reference electrode in healthy volunteers did not significantly modulate the activity of the brainstem autonomic centres. Therefore, using an extracephalic reference electrode for tDCS appears safe in healthy volunteers, at least under similar experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Vandermeeren
- Neurology Department, Cliniques Universitaires UCL de Mont-Godinne, Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue Dr G, Therasse, Yvoir 5530, Belgium.
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Airway compromise secondary to vagus nerve stimulator: case report and implications for otolaryngologists. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology 2009; 124:557-9. [PMID: 19796439 DOI: 10.1017/s0022215109991307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vagus nerve stimulators are devices used in the management of patients with drug-refractory epilepsy unsuitable for resective or disconnective surgery. Implanted usually by neurosurgeons, these devices are infrequently encountered by otolaryngologists. Despite significant anti-seizure efficacy, side effects related to laryngopharyngeal stimulation are not uncommon. CASE REPORT A 28-year-old man with a history of effective vagus nerve stimulator use presented with a cluster of seizures and respiratory distress associated with intermittent stridor. The duration of stridor corresponded to the period of vagus nerve stimulation. Endoscopy revealed forced adduction of the left vocal fold against a medialised right vocal fold. The device was switched off and the stridor immediately resolved. CONCLUSION Airway compromise is an under-recognised side effect of vagus nerve stimulation. We describe the first known case of stridor and contralateral vocal fold palsy in a vagus nerve stimulator user. We highlight the need for better understanding amongst otolaryngologists of the laryngopharyngeal side effects of this technology.
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Vagus nerve stimulation reduces infarct size in rat focal cerebral ischemia. Neurosci Lett 2009; 459:147-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2008] [Revised: 04/30/2009] [Accepted: 05/06/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Milby AH, Halpern CH, Baltuch GH. Vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of refractory epilepsy. Neurotherapeutics 2009; 6:228-37. [PMID: 19332314 PMCID: PMC5084198 DOI: 10.1016/j.nurt.2009.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2008] [Revised: 01/16/2009] [Accepted: 01/17/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Many patients with epilepsy suffer from persistent seizures despite maximal anti-epileptic drug therapy. Chronic, intermittent vagus nerve stimulation has been proven to be an effective option for many patients suffering from refractory seizures who are not candidates for surgical resection. Although only a small minority of patients will be entirely seizure-free, vagus nerve stimulation, as an adjunct to medical therapy, may result in significant improvements in quality of life. Vagus nerve stimulation is generally well-tolerated, as device implantation is associated with a low rate of perioperative complications, and the majority of side effects are stimulation-dependent and thus reversible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew H. Milby
- grid.412713.20000000404351019Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 19104 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Casey H. Halpern
- grid.412713.20000000404351019Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 19104 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Gordon H. Baltuch
- grid.412713.20000000404351019Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 19104 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- grid.411115.10000000404350884Department of Neurosurgery, 3 Silverstein, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 19104 Philadelphia, PA
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Spuck S, Nowak G, Renneberg A, Tronnier V, Sperner J. Right-sided vagus nerve stimulation in humans: An effective therapy? Epilepsy Res 2008; 82:232-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2008.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2008] [Revised: 07/30/2008] [Accepted: 08/10/2008] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has become an accepted treatment option for pharmacologically resistant epilepsy. Although initially approved for adults, it increasingly has gained acceptance in children. In this article the author reviews the current state of knowledge of VNS therapy and discusses its potential utility.
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Periprocedural hemodynamic instability with carotid angioplasty and stenting. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 70:279-85; discussion 285-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.surneu.2007.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2007] [Accepted: 07/03/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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