TY - JOUR
T1 - Vagus Nerve Stimulation
T2 - Changing the Paradigm for Chronic Severe Depression?
AU - Aaronson, Scott T.
AU - Conway, Charles R.
PY - 2018/9
Y1 - 2018/9
N2 - Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been studied for its effect on treatment-resistant depression. Open-label studies have shown a significant positive effect in an especially treatment-resistant depressive population. Insurance company support for VNS has been limited but may be reviewed given recent positive open-label data. Coming developments in novel external ways to stimulate the vagus nerve may revive interest in this area. This article reviews the clinical development of VNS starting with the first recognition of its potential for treating depression, parses the results of several large clinical trials, and suggests a future path for optimal clinical development and use.
AB - Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been studied for its effect on treatment-resistant depression. Open-label studies have shown a significant positive effect in an especially treatment-resistant depressive population. Insurance company support for VNS has been limited but may be reviewed given recent positive open-label data. Coming developments in novel external ways to stimulate the vagus nerve may revive interest in this area. This article reviews the clinical development of VNS starting with the first recognition of its potential for treating depression, parses the results of several large clinical trials, and suggests a future path for optimal clinical development and use.
KW - Major depression
KW - Neurostimulation
KW - Treatment-resistant major depression
KW - Vagus nerve stimulation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85051136592&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.psc.2018.05.001
DO - 10.1016/j.psc.2018.05.001
M3 - Review article
C2 - 30098654
AN - SCOPUS:85051136592
SN - 0193-953X
VL - 41
SP - 409
EP - 418
JO - Psychiatric Clinics of North America
JF - Psychiatric Clinics of North America
IS - 3
ER -