Vagal Nerve Stimulation 

vagal nerve stimulation

Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) uses a small implanted device to treat severe depression by stimulating the vagus nerve. The vagal nerve naturally sends electrical pulses to the parts of the brain that control mood. The vagal nerve stimulator triggers this natural process, sending mild electrical pulses to stimulate the vagus nerve similar to a pacemaker. VNS has proven to reduce depression symptoms in many patients, providing depression patients with another non-medication treatment option.

VNS is FDA approved for depression, epilepsy, and obesity. This novel treatment has already been used in over 130,000 patients and has an impressive 70% success rate when used for treatment resistant depression.

What to Expect

If you and your provider decide that VNS is right for you, you will be scheduled for a short outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. During the 1-2 hour procedure, your surgeon will place the vagus nerve stimulator beneath the skin, just below the collar bone. Most patients return home the same day of their procedure. 

Two weeks after implantation, your Manlove Brain and Body Health provider will activate your VNS device. Your device will send mild electrical pulses through a thin wire directly to the left vagus nerve in the neck for 30 seconds every 5 minutes. 

It can take 9-12 months before you will feel an improvement in your depression symptoms. The batteries in your stimulator will need to be replaced every 3-5 years. 

Benefits

VNS has many benefits for patients with treatment resistant depression: 

  • Non medication option 
  • Does not cause fatigue, sedation, weight gain, or dry mouth like most antidepressant medications 
  • Involves a one-time outpatient procedure 
  • Improves sexual function 
  • Improves quality of life 
  • Once activated, VNS may be safely used in conjunction with medications, talk therapy, ECT, and TMS

Side Effects

Potential side effects of VNS include: 

  • Hoarse voice 
  • Headaches 
  • Neck pain 
  • Prickling or tingling of skin 
  • Sore throat 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Coughing 
  • Difficulty swallowing 
  • Infection (most commonly reported side effect from the implant procedure) (frequency <3%) 

Side effects typically only occur during stimulation, are well tolerated, and improve over time.

Working with You

Please let your Manlove Brain and Body Health provider know if you are experiencing any adverse side effects. Your provider can work with you to adjust the frequency, duration, and intensity of the pulses to limit your side effects.

VNS is best used as part of a full psychiatric care plan. Your provider will work with you to develop a treatment plan which may also include TMS, medication, psychotherapy, and healthy lifestyle modifications. 

Get Started Today

To get started, schedule an appointment with your Manlove Brain and Body Health provider to see if VNS is right for you. 

7 in 10 patients felt a significant improvement in their depressive symptoms

4 in 10 patients fully or almost fully recovered from their depressive symptoms

For more information, visit www.livanova.com or give us a call.

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