Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Epilepsy

Ali A Baaj, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
Selim R Benbadis, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
Fernando L Vale, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA

Published online: March 2009

DOI: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0020285

Epilepsy refractory to medical management continues to pose a problem to clinicians. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a safe and effective treatment for patients with refractory epilepsy who are not surgical candidates. Although the mechanism is still poorly understood, several clinical trials have demonstrated its efficacy and safety. VNS has become the most widely used nonpharmacological therapy for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy.

Keywords: vagus nerve stimulation; refractory epilepsy

Figure 1. Comparison of the newer implant model (103) compared to the prior. Average battery life is 6 years. (Used with permission from Cyberonics, Inc. Copyright 2006, Cyberonics,Inc. All rights reserved.)
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 Further Reading
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Neurobiology of Disease
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Article Title: Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Epilepsy
 
How to Cite close
Baaj, Ali A, Benbadis, Selim R, and Vale, Fernando L(Mar 2009) Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Epilepsy. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0020285]