Vagus nerve stimulation

Short description: Medical treatment that involves delivering electrical impulses to the vagus nerve

Vagus nerve stimulation

Electrical stimulation of vagus nerve.

Other names| Vagal nerve stimulation

[edit on Wikidata]

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a medical treatment that involves delivering electrical impulses to the vagus nerve. Initially developed by James Leonard Corning to compress or stimulate the carotid sheath, VNS typically refers to an implantable electrode.[1] However, non-invasive VNS delivered transcutaneously via the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, or through the skin to the cervical nerve, is being investigated in clinical research.[2] Invasive VNS is used as an adjunct treatment for certain types of intractable epilepsy, cluster headaches, migraine,[3] treatment-resistant depression and stroke rehabilitation.

## Contents

* 1 Medical use
* 1.1 Epilepsy
* 1.2 Cluster headaches and migraine
* 1.3 Treatment-resistant depression
* 1.4 Chronic pain
* 1.5 Heart failure
* 1.6 Atrial fibrillation
* 1.7 Stroke treatment and rehabilitation
* 2 Efficacy
* 2.1 Epilepsy
* 2.2 Depression
* 2.3 Well-being
* 2.4 Heart diseases
* 2.5 COVID-19
* 2.6 Other possible efficacy areas
* 3 Mechanisms of action
* 3.1 Cortical desynchronization
* 3.2 Reducing inflammation
* 3.3 Changing neurotransmitter activity
* 3.4 Impacting the gut-brain axis
* 3.5 Indirect stimulation of brain structures
* 4 Adverse events
* 4.1 Adverse events related to the surgical procedure
* 4.2 Side effects of VNS
* 5 Devices and procedures
* 5.1 Intravenous devices
* 5.1.1 Example of stimulation metrics
* 5.2 External devices
* 6 History
* 6.1 1880s - proposed use to reduce cerebral blood flow
* 6.2 1930s - research on effects on central nervous system
* 6.3 1980s - use for epilepsy
* 6.4 1997 onwards - approved medical uses
* 7 Research areas
* 8 See also
* 9 References
* 10 Further reading

## Medical use

### Epilepsy

VNS is used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy.[4] For refractive epilepsy, cervical VNS on the left side is FDA-approved.[5][6]

In the United States, VNS is approved as adjunctive therapy for those 4 years of age or older with refractory focal onset seizures. In the European Union, VNS is approved as an adjunctive therapy for patients with either generalized or focal onset seizures without any age restrictions.[7] It is recommended that VNS is only pursued following an adequate trial of at least 2 appropriately chosen anti-seizure medications and that the patient is ineligible for epilepsy surgery.[8] This is because epilepsy surgery is associated with a higher probability of resulting in seizure freedom.[9] Patients who have poor adherence or tolerance of anti-seizure medications may be good candidates for VNS.[10]

VNS may provide benefit for particular epilepsy syndromes and seizure types such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex related epilepsy, refractory absence seizures, and atonic seizures.[11][12][13][14] There are also reports of VNS being successfully utilized in patients with refractory and super-refractory status epilepticus.[15] Several clinical studies, including a long-term retrospective review published in 2020, have reported that VNS can reduce seizure frequency in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy associated with structural brain lesions.[16]

### Cluster headaches and migraine

The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK recommends VNS for cluster headaches.[17] In 2017 the FDA approved the non-invasive gammaCore VNS system for treatment of episodic cluster headache and expanded its approved usage to acute treatment of pain associated with migraine.[18] Two randomized, double-blind, and sham-controlled studies have administered nVNS to patients with episodic cluster headaches; both demonstrated a significant effect in reducing acute cluster attacks.[19][20][21]

### Treatment-resistant depression

VNS is used to treat treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TR-MDD). [22] For treatment resistant depression, cervical VNS on the left side is FDA-approved.[5] The UK NICE guidance (from 2020) stated that "Evidence on its efficacy is limited in quality" and encouraged further research studies "in the form of randomised controlled trials with a placebo or sham stimulation arm."[23]

### Chronic pain

VNS has been used to treat chronic pain due to various causes, although the mechanisms for this relief have yet to be determined.[24]

### Heart failure

VNS has shown to be of value in the treatment of heart failure.[25] One study did not show a reduction in death rates, but did show improvement in six-minute hall walk duration and quality of life.[25]

### Atrial fibrillation

Animal studies have shown the capacity of low-level VNS to reduce inducibility of atrial fibrillation.[25] This effect has been proposed to be due to inhibition of the ganglionated plexi.[25]

### Stroke treatment and rehabilitation

VNS can be used either invasively or non-invasively to treat ischemic stroke.[26] Invasive VNS can only be applied invasively (by surgery), but non-invasive VNS can be used in acute settings.[26]

In 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the MicroTransponder Vivistim Paired VNS System (Vivistim System) to treat moderate to severe upper extremity motor deficits associated with chronic ischemic stroke.[27][28]

## Efficacy

### Epilepsy

A meta-analysis of 74 clinical studies with 3321 patients found that VNS produced an average 51% reduction in seizures after 1 year of therapy.[29] Approximately 50% of patients had an equal to or greater than 50% reduction in seizures at the time of last follow-up.[29] Long-term studies have shown that response to VNS increases over time. For instance, a study that followed 74 patients for 10–17 years found a seizure frequency reduction of 50-90% in 38.4%, 51.4%, 63.6% and 77.8% of patients at 1-, 2-, 10- and 17-years following implantation, respectively.[30] Approximately, 8% have total resolution of seizures.[31] VNS has also been shown to reduce rates of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and to improve quality of life metrics.[32][33] A number of predictors of a favorable clinical response have been identified including epilepsy onset > 12 years of age, generalized epilepsy type, non-lesional epilepsy, posttraumatic epilepsy and those who have less than a 10-year history of seizures.[29][31][34]

Long-term cognitive outcomes are at least stable following VNS.[35]

One study of children with epilepsy found that a post hoc analysis revealed a dose–response correlation for VNS.[36]

### Depression

A 2022 narrative review concluded that VNS is an effective and well-tolerated therapy for chronic and treatment-resistant depression. Importantly, the review also noted that the therapeutic effect of VNS in this context may take 3–12 months to materialize but may be persistent long-term.[37][38] One study of only 10 weeks found no effect.[39]

A 2020 review concluded "Reviewed studies strongly suggest that VNS ameliorates depressive symptoms in drug-resistant epileptic patients and that the VNS effect on depression is uncorrelated to seizure response.[40]

In one study higher electrical dose parameters were associated with response durability.[41]

### Well-being

VNS may have positive well-being, mood and quality of life effects.[42][43]

Studies have found improvements in standard patient-reported mood assessment scales in adult patients with epilepsy after using VNS,[8] and some have found no association between mood change and reduction in seizure frequency.[44][45] Another study of epilepsy patients measured a general mood improvement, and suggested that VNS may improve unspecific states of indisposition and dysphoria.[46] Patients with comorbid depression have been found to have mood improvements with VNS therapy.[47]

Quality of life (QOL) improvement was also associated with VNS use.[48] One study of children with epilepsy found that better quality of life outcomes after VNS implantation were strongly associated with shorter duration of preoperative seizures and implantation at a young age.[49]

### Heart diseases

In cardiac arrest VNS used in conjunction with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been shown to increase recovery time (return of spontaneous circulation) as well as reduce the number of shocks required when used in conjunction with cardioversion.[25] Numerous pre-clinical studies have shown the effectiveness of VNS in reducing atrial fibrillation and hypertension.[25]

### COVID-19

In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the gammaCore Sapphire CV non-invasive VNS system was granted emergency use authorization for suspected COVID-19 patients experiencing "asthma-related dyspnea and reduced airflow, and for whom approved drug therapies are not tolerated or provide insufficient symptom relief."[50] Clinical trials show VNS reduces inflammation in COVID patients.[51] In patients with long COVID, VNS is efficacious in reducing inflammatory markers and chronic fatigue.[52]

### Other possible efficacy areas

Very small studies have shown possible efficacy of VNS for reduction of Sjogren's fatigue,[53][54] and for inflammatory bowel disease.[55]

Piezoelectric BaTiO3 particles conjugated with capsaicin were designed as orally ingested electrostimulators to activate the vagus nerves to combat obesity. This intervention has not yet been tested on the human body.[56]

## Mechanisms of action

The causes of VNS efficacy are not well understood.

Mechanisms which may account for the efficacy of VNS include:

### Cortical desynchronization

There is evidence that VNS results in cortical desynchronization in epilepsy patients who had a favorable clinical response relative to those who did not.[57][58][59] This makes sense given that seizures consist of abnormal hypersynchronous activity in the brain.

### Reducing inflammation

Multiple lines of evidence suggest that inflammation plays a significant role in epilepsy as well as associated neurobehavioral comorbidities such as depression, autism spectrum disorder and cognitive impairment.[60] There is evidence that VNS has an anti-inflammatory effect through both peripheral and central mechanisms.[61][55]

### Changing neurotransmitter activity

VNS can change the activity of several neurotransmitter systems involving serotonin, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, dopamine, and GABA.[62][63] The vagus nerve has projects reaching directly in the nucleus of the solitary tract[64] and affects a range of subcortical structures including the locus coeruleus, which serves as the primary source of cortical noradrenaline in the brain.[65] Stimulation of the vagus nerve in rats has been shown to consistently elevate cortical noradrenaline levels in both the short and long-term.[66] Chronic stimulation of the vagus nerve has also been noted to increase serotonin release and firing in the dorsal raphe nuclei.[66] Other studies in rats have also demonstrated a VNS-dependent increase in dopamine concentrations within the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens.[67]

### Impacting the gut-brain axis

VNS influences the vagus nerve, which plays a role in the gut-brain axis.[68][69] Research has shown that VNS has an anti-inflammatory effect in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.[68] VNS has been shown to reduce cytokine production as well as modulate gut permeability in patients prior to severe burn injuries.[70] Additionally, VNS has been shown to restore dysbiosis in IBD.[70]

### Indirect stimulation of brain structures

Some believe that indirect stimulation of the thalamus may be a key mechanism in VNS efficacy.[42]

## Adverse events

### Adverse events related to the surgical procedure

A large 25-year retrospective study of 247 patients found a surgical complication rate of 8.6%.[71] The common adverse events included infection in 2.6%, hematoma at the surgical site in 1.9% and vocal cord palsy in 1.4%.[71]

In some rare cases where the VNS is not effective, surgery may be necessary to remove the VNS system. The surgery may remove both the generator and the lead.[72]

### Side effects of VNS

The most common stimulation related side effect at 1 year following implantation are hoarseness in 28% and paraesthesias in the throat-chin region in 12%.[73] At the third year the rate of stimulation related adverse effects decreased substantially with shortness of breath being the most common and occurring in 3.2%.[73] In general, VNS is well tolerated and side effects diminish over time. Also, side effects can be controlled by changing the stimulation parameters.

One small study found sleep apnea in as many as 28% of adults with epilepsy treated with VNS.[74]

Another small study found significant daytime drowsiness, which could be relieved by reducing the stimulation intensity.[75]

Because vagal tone can reduce heart rate, VNS carries the risk of bradycardia (excessively slow heart rate, and even of stopping the heart.[25]

A range of side effects are possible but rare.[37]

## Devices and procedures

### Intravenous devices

The device consists of a generator the size of a matchbox that is implanted under the skin below the person's collarbone. Lead wires from the generator are tunnelled up to the patient's neck and wrapped around the left vagus nerve at the carotid sheath, where it delivers electrical impulses to the nerve.[76]

Implantation of the VNS device is usually done as an out-patient procedure. The procedure goes as follows: an incision is made in the upper left chest and the generator is implanted into a little "pouch" on the left chest under the collarbone. A second incision is made in the neck, so that the surgeon can access the vagus nerve. The surgeon then wraps the leads around the left branch of the vagus nerve, and connects the electrodes to the generator. Once successfully implanted, the generator sends electric impulses to the vagus nerve at regular intervals. The left vagus nerve is stimulated rather than the right because the right plays a role in cardiac function such that stimulating it could have negative cardiac effects.[22][77] The "dose" administered by the device then needs to be set, which is done via a magnetic wand; the parameters adjusted include current, frequency, pulse width, and duty cycle.[22]

#### Example of stimulation metrics

The intravenous VNS system produced by LivaNova has stated default settings for use in depression of output power 1.25mA, frequency 20 Hz and pulse width 250 μs, with operation occurring for 30 seconds every 5 minutes (giving a work cycle of 10%).[37] The non-invasive gammaCore device delivers 5000 Hz pulses at a frequency of 25 Hz at an intensity of up to 60mA or 30V. Stimulations may be administered for up to two minutes in one sitting, and a maximum of 30 stimulations can be delivered over a 24h period.[78]

### External devices

External devices work by transcutaneous stimulation and do not require surgery. Electrical impulses are targeted at the cervical branch of the vagus nerve in the neck, or aurical (ear), at points where branches of the vagus nerve have cutaneous representation. Auricular VNS should be located at the concha or inner tragus.[79]

The GammaCore transcutaneous cervical VNS system is recommended by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for cluster headaches.[80]

## History

### 1880s - proposed use to reduce cerebral blood flow

James L. Corning (1855–1923) was an American neurologist who developed the first device for stimulating the vagus nerve towards the end of the 19th century.[81]

At this time a widely held theory was that excessive blood flow caused seizures.[81]

In the 1880s Corning designed a pronged instrument called the "carotid fork" to compress the carotid artery for the acute treatment of seizures. In addition, he developed the "carotid truss" for prolonged compression of the carotid arteries as a long-term preventative treatment for epilepsy. Then he developed the "electrocompressor" which allowed for the compression of the bilateral carotid arteries as well as electrical stimulation of both the vagus and cervical sympathetic nerves. The idea was to reduce cardiac output and to stimulate cervical sympathetic nerves to constrict cerebral blood vessels. Corning reported dramatic benefits however it was not accepted by his colleagues and ultimately was forgotten.[81]

### 1930s - research on effects on central nervous system

In the 1930s Biley and Bremer demonstrated the direct influence of VNS on the central nervous system.[82] In the 1940s and 1950s vagal nerve stimulation was shown to affect EEG activity.[83]

### 1980s - use for epilepsy

In 1985 neuroscientist Jacob Zabara[84] proposed that VNS could be used to treat epilepsy.[85] He then demonstrated its efficacy in animal experiments.[86] The first human was implanted with a VNS for the treatment of epilepsy in 1988.[87]

### 1997 onwards - approved medical uses

In 1997, the US Food and Drug Administration's neurological devices panel met to consider approval of an implanted vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) for epilepsy, requested by Cyberonics (which was subsequently acquired by LivaNova).[76]

The FDA approved an implanted VNS for TR-MDD in 2005.[22]

In April 2017, the FDA cleared marketing of a handheld noninvasive vagus nerve stimulator, called "gammaCore" and made by ElectroCore LLC, for episodic cluster headaches, under the de novo pathway.[88][89] In January 2018, the FDA cleared a new use of that device, for the treatment of migraine pain in adults under a 510(k) based on the de novo clearance.[90][91]

In 2020, electroCore's non-invasive VNS was granted an Emergency Use Authorization for treating COVID-19 patients, given research indicating VNS causes an opening of end terminals in the airways and an anti-inflammatory effect.[92]

In 2021, the same gammaCore nVNS device received Section 510(k) clearance from the FDA to expand its usage for patients with two forms of trigeminal autonomic cephalagia--hemicrania continua and paroxysmal hemicrania.[93]

## Research areas

Because the vagus nerve is associated with many different functions and brain regions, clinical research has been done to determine its usefulness in treating many illnesses. These include various anxiety disorders,[94] obesity,[95][96] alcohol addiction,[97] chronic heart failure,[98] prevention of arrhythmias that can cause sudden cardiac death,[99] autoimmune disorders,[100][101] irritable bowel syndrome,[102][103][104] Alzheimer's disease,[105][106] Parkinson's disease,[107] hypertension,[108][109] several chronic pain conditions,[110] inflammatory disorders, fibromyalgia and migraines.[111][112]

A 2022 study showed that chronic VNS showed strong antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, and improved memory performance in an Alzheimer's Disease animal model.[113]

## See also

* Cranial electrotherapy stimulation
* Deep brain stimulation
* Electrical brain stimulation
* Electrotherapy
* Low field magnetic stimulation
* Transcranial magnetic stimulation

## References

1. ↑ "The Future Is Noninvasive: A Brief Review of the Evolution and Clinical Utility of Vagus Nerve Stimulation". Focus 20 (1): 3–7. January 2022. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20210023. PMID 35746934.
2. ↑ "The Future Is Noninvasive: A Brief Review of the Evolution and Clinical Utility of Vagus Nerve Stimulation". Focus 20 (1): 3–7. January 2022. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20210023. PMID 35746934.
3. ↑ "A review of vagus nerve stimulation as a therapeutic intervention". Journal of Inflammation Research 11: 203–213. May 2018. doi:10.2147/JIR.S163248. PMID 29844694.
4. ↑ "Vagus nerve stimulation for focal seizures". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2022 (7). July 2022. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002896.pub3. PMID 35833911.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Vagus Nerve Stimulation". Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports 1 (2): 64–73. June 2014. doi:10.1007/s40473-014-0010-5. PMID 24834378.
6. ↑ "Vagus Nerve and Vagus Nerve Stimulation, a Comprehensive Review: Part II". Headache 56 (2): 259–266. February 2016. doi:10.1111/head.12650. PMID 26381725.
7. ↑ "Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy update". Epilepsy & Behavior 88S: 2–10. November 2018. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.06.032. PMID 30017839.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Evidence-based guideline update: vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of epilepsy: report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology". Neurology 81 (16): 1453–1459. October 2013. doi:10.1212/wnl.0b013e3182a393d1. PMID 23986299.
9. ↑ "Reassessment: vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy: a report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology". Neurology 53 (4): 666–669. September 1999. doi:10.1212/wnl.53.4.666. PMID 10489023.
10. ↑ "Clinical and economic impact of vagus nerve stimulation therapy in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy". Epilepsy & Behavior 22 (2): 370–375. October 2011. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2011.07.020. PMID 21872534.
11. ↑ "Does Vagal Nerve Stimulation Treat Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex?". World Neurosurgery 121: 251–253. January 2019. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2018.10.077. PMID 30347295.
12. ↑ "Improved seizure control and regaining cognitive milestones after vagus nerve stimulation revision surgery in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome". Epilepsy & Behavior Case Reports 10: 111–113. 2018. doi:10.1016/j.ebcr.2018.08.002. PMID 30364578.
13. ↑ "Vagus nerve stimulation for medically refractory absence epilepsy". Seizure 22 (4): 267–270. May 2013. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2013.01.008. PMID 23391567.
14. ↑ "Corpus callosotomy versus vagus nerve stimulation for atonic seizures and drop attacks: A systematic review". Epilepsy & Behavior 51: 13–17. October 2015. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.06.001. PMID 26247311.
15. ↑ "Vagus nerve stimulation in refractory and super-refractory status epilepticus - A systematic review". Brain Stimulation 12 (5): 1101–1110. September 2019. doi:10.1016/j.brs.2019.05.011. PMID 31126871.
16. ↑ Al-Gethami H, AlShahrani A, Aldosari M, AlHameed M. Efficacy of VNS for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in Structural Brain Lesions. The Open Neurology Journal. 2020;14:85–92. doi:10.2174/1874205X02014010085.
17. ↑ "The Nurosym/Parasym". https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg46/documents/final-scope.
18. ↑ "gammaCore® Receives FDA Clearance for the Acute Treatment of Pain Associated with Migraine Headache in Adult Patients" (in en-US). https://www.electrocore.com/news/gammacore-receives-fda-clearance-acute-treatment-pain-associated-migraine-headache-adult-patients/.
19. ↑ Peng, Kuan-Po; Burish, Mark J. (2023-08-01). "Management of cluster headache: Treatments and their mechanisms" (in EN). Cephalalgia 43 (8). doi:10.1177/03331024231196808. ISSN 0333-1024. PMID 37652457.
20. ↑ Silberstein, Stephen D.; Mechtler, Laszlo L.; Kudrow, David B.; Calhoun, Anne H.; McClure, Candace; Saper, Joel R.; Liebler, Eric J.; Rubenstein Engel, Emily et al. (2016). "Non–Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation for the ACute Treatment of Cluster Headache: Findings From the Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled ACT1 Study" (in en). Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain 56 (8): 1317–1332. doi:10.1111/head.12896. ISSN 1526-4610. PMID 27593728.
21. ↑ Goadsby, Peter J; de Coo, Ilse F; Silver, Nicholas; Tyagi, Alok; Ahmed, Fayyaz; Gaul, Charly; Jensen, Rigmor H; Diener, Hans-Christoph et al. (2018-04-01). "Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for the acute treatment of episodic and chronic cluster headache: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled ACT2 study" (in EN). Cephalalgia 38 (5): 959–969. doi:10.1177/0333102417744362. ISSN 0333-1024. PMID 29231763.
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 "Vagal Nerve Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression". Neurotherapeutics 14 (3): 716–727. July 2017. doi:10.1007/s13311-017-0537-8. PMID 28585221.
23. ↑ "1 Recommendations | Implanted vagus nerve stimulation for treatment-resistant depression | Guidance | NICE". 12 August 2020. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg679/chapter/1-Recommendations.
24. ↑ "Role of Vagus Nerve Stimulation in the Treatment of Chronic Pain". Neuroimmunomodulation 30 (1): 167–183. 2023. doi:10.1159/000531626. PMID 37369181.
25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 "Vagus Nerve Stimulation and the Cardiovascular System". Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine 10 (2). February 2020. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a034173. PMID 31109966.
26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Ischemic Stroke". Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports 23 (12): 947–962. December 2023. doi:10.1007/s11910-023-01323-w. PMID 38008851.
27. ↑ "FDA Approves First-of-Its-Kind Stroke Rehabilitation System". 31 August 2021. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-its-kind-stroke-rehabilitation-system#:~:text=“Today's approval of the Vivistim,limbs due to ischemic stroke.”.
28. ↑ "Vagus nerve stimulation paired with rehabilitation for stroke: Implantation experience from the VNS-REHAB trial". Journal of Clinical Neuroscience 105: 122–128. November 2022. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2022.09.013. PMID 36182812.
29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 "Vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy: a meta-analysis of efficacy and predictors of response". Journal of Neurosurgery 115 (6): 1248–1255. December 2011. doi:10.3171/2011.7.JNS11977. PMID 21838505.
30. ↑ "Single-center long-term results of vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy: A 10-17 year follow-up study". Seizure 59: 41–47. July 2018. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2018.04.022. PMID 29738985.
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Rates and Predictors of Seizure Freedom With Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Intractable Epilepsy". Neurosurgery 79 (3): 345–353. September 2016. doi:10.1227/NEU.0000000000001165. PMID 26645965.
32. ↑ "Quality-of-life metrics with vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy from provider survey data". Epilepsy & Behavior 66: 4–9. January 2017. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.10.005. PMID 27974275.
33. ↑ "Long-term surveillance of SUDEP in drug-resistant epilepsy patients treated with VNS therapy". Epilepsia 59 (3): 562–572. March 2018. doi:10.1111/epi.14002. PMID 29336017.
34. ↑ "Efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation in posttraumatic versus nontraumatic epilepsy". Journal of Neurosurgery 117 (5): 970–977. November 2012. doi:10.3171/2012.8.jns122. PMID 22978542.
35. ↑ "Cognitive outcomes following vagus nerve stimulation, responsive neurostimulation and deep brain stimulation for epilepsy: A systematic review". Epilepsy Research 172. May 2021. doi:10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2021.106591. PMID 33711711.
36. ↑ "Vagus nerve stimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy: a European long-term study up to 24 months in 347 children". Epilepsia 55 (10): 1576–1584. October 2014. doi:10.1111/epi.12762. PMID 25231724.
37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 "[Vagus nerve stimulation for difficult to treat depression"]. Der Nervenarzt 93 (9): 921–930. September 2022. doi:10.1007/s00115-022-01282-6. PMID 35380222.
38. ↑ "Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A Little-Known Option for Depression". Medscape. 5 May 2022. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/973508.
39. ↑ "Vagus nerve stimulation for treatment-resistant depression: a randomized, controlled acute phase trial". Biological Psychiatry 58 (5): 347–354. September 2005. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2005.05.025. PMID 16139580.
40. ↑ "Antidepressant effect of vagal nerve stimulation in epilepsy patients: a systematic review". Neurological Sciences 41 (11): 3075–3084. November 2020. doi:10.1007/s10072-020-04479-2. PMID 32524324.
41. ↑ "Vagus nerve stimulation therapy randomized to different amounts of electrical charge for treatment-resistant depression: acute and chronic effects". Brain Stimulation 6 (4): 631–640. July 2013. doi:10.1016/j.brs.2012.09.013. PMID 23122916.
42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 "Quality of life, neurocognitive outcomes, and mood effects with neurostimulation devices". Neurostimulation for Epilepsy. 2023. pp. 229–244. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-91702-5.00004-9. ISBN 978-0-323-91702-5.
43. ↑ "Vagus nerve stimulation: mood and cognitive effects". Epilepsy & Behavior 5 Suppl 1: S56–S59. February 2004. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2003.11.007. PMID 14725847.
44. ↑ "Vagus nerve stimulation is associated with mood improvements in epilepsy patients". Epilepsy Research 42 (2–3): 203–210. December 2000. doi:10.1016/s0920-1211(00)00181-9. PMID 11074193.
45. ↑ "A Pilot Study of Mood in Epilepsy Patients Treated with Vagus Nerve Stimulation". Epilepsy & Behavior 1 (2): 93–99. April 2000. doi:10.1006/ebeh.2000.0046. PMID 12609137.
46. ↑ "Self-Reported Mood Changes following 6 Months of Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Epilepsy Patients". Epilepsy & Behavior 2 (4): 335–342. August 2001. doi:10.1006/ebeh.2001.0194. PMID 12609210.
47. ↑ "Research progress of vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of epilepsy". CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics 25 (11): 1222–1228. November 2019. doi:10.1111/cns.13209. PMID 31429206.
48. ↑ "The long-term effect of vagus nerve stimulation on quality of life in patients with pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy: the PuLsE (Open Prospective Randomized Long-term Effectiveness) trial". Epilepsia 55 (6): 893–900. June 2014. doi:10.1111/epi.12611. PMID 24754318.
49. ↑ "Subgroup analysis of seizure and cognitive outcome after vagal nerve stimulator implantation in children". Child's Nervous System 37 (1): 243–252. January 2021. doi:10.1007/s00381-020-04628-0. PMID 32361930.
50. ↑ fda.gov
51. ↑ Tornero, Carlos; Pastor, Ernesto; Garzando, María del Mar; Orduña, Jorge; Forner, Maria J.; Bocigas, Irene; Cedeño, David L.; Vallejo, Ricardo et al. (2022-04-08). "Non-invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation for COVID-19: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial (SAVIOR I)" (in English). Frontiers in Neurology 13. doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.820864. ISSN 1664-2295. PMID 35463130.
52. ↑ Khan, Malik W. Z.; Ahmad, Muhammad; Qudrat, Salma; Afridi, Fatma; Khan, Najia Ali; Afridi, Zain; Fahad; Azeem, Touba et al. (2024-12-01). "Vagal nerve stimulation for the management of long COVID symptoms". Infectious Medicine 3 (4). doi:10.1016/j.imj.2024.100149. ISSN 2772-431X. PMID 39678231.
53. ↑ "The Effects of Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Fatigue in Participants With Primary Sjögren's Syndrome". Neuromodulation 26 (3): 681–689. April 2023. doi:10.1016/j.neurom.2022.08.461. PMID 37032583.
54. ↑ Inflammation has been associated with both fatigue (see the Wikipedia article on fatigue) and possible VNS mechanism (see below).
55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 "Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation attenuates inflammatory bowel disease in children: a proof-of-concept clinical trial". Bioelectronic Medicine 9 (1). October 2023. doi:10.1186/s42234-023-00124-3. PMID 37849000.
56. ↑ "Orally Ingested Self-Powered Stimulators for Targeted Gut-Brain Axis Electrostimulation to Treat Obesity and Metabolic Disorders". Advanced Materials 36 (21). May 2024. doi:10.1002/adma.202310351. PMID 38591658. Bibcode: 2024AdM....3610351M.
57. ↑ "VNS induced desynchronization in gamma bands correlates with positive clinical outcome in temporal lobe pharmacoresistant epilepsy". Neuroscience Letters 536: 14–18. March 2013. doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2012.12.044. PMID 23333601.
58. ↑ "The Effectiveness of Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Correlates with Vagus Nerve Stimulation-Induced Electroencephalography Desynchronization". Brain Connectivity 10 (10): 566–577. December 2020. doi:10.1089/brain.2020.0798. PMID 33073582.
59. ↑ "Effects of VNS stimulation on electrocorticography in patients with dual neuro- stimulation devices". Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 93 (6): A3.3–A4. June 2022. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2022-abn.9.
60. ↑ "Role of inflammation in epilepsy and neurobehavioral comorbidities: Implication for therapy". European Journal of Pharmacology 837: 145–155. October 2018. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.08.020. PMID 30125565.
61. ↑ "Vagus nerve stimulation in brain diseases: Therapeutic applications and biological mechanisms". Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 127: 37–53. August 2021. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.018. PMID 33894241.
62. ↑ "Electrophysiological and neurochemical effects of long-term vagus nerve stimulation on the rat monoaminergic systems". The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology 16 (2): 459–470. March 2013. doi:10.1017/s1461145712000387. PMID 22717062.
63. ↑ "Serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways are required for the anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like behavioral effects of repeated vagal nerve stimulation in rats". Biological Psychiatry 70 (10): 937–945. November 2011. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2011.07.020. PMID 21907323.
64. ↑ Fornai, Francesco; Ruffoli, Riccardo; Giorgi, Filippo S.; Paparelli, Antonio (June 2011). "The role of locus coeruleus in the antiepileptic activity induced by vagus nerve stimulation". The European Journal of Neuroscience 33 (12): 2169–2178. doi:10.1111/j.1460-9568.2011.07707.x. ISSN 1460-9568. PMID 21535457.
65. ↑ Poe, Gina R.; Foote, Stephen; Eschenko, Oxana; Johansen, Joshua P.; Bouret, Sebastien; Aston-Jones, Gary; Harley, Carolyn W.; Manahan-Vaughan, Denise et al. (November 2020). "Locus coeruleus: a new look at the blue spot" (in en). Nature Reviews Neuroscience 21 (11): 644–659. doi:10.1038/s41583-020-0360-9. ISSN 1471-0048. PMID 32943779.
66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 Berger, Alexandre; Vespa, Simone; Dricot, Laurence; Dumoulin, Manon; Iachim, Evelina; Doguet, Pascal; Vandewalle, Gilles; El Tahry, Riëm (2021). "How Is the Norepinephrine System Involved in the Antiepileptic Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation?". Frontiers in Neuroscience 15. doi:10.3389/fnins.2021.790943. ISSN 1662-4548. PMID 34924947.
67. ↑ Rodenkirch, Charles; Carmel, Jason B.; Wang, Qi (2022-07-05). "Rapid Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Sensory Processing Through Activation of Neuromodulatory Systems" (in English). Frontiers in Neuroscience 16. doi:10.3389/fnins.2022.922424. ISSN 1662-453X. PMID 35864985.
68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 "Vagus Nerve as Modulator of the Brain-Gut Axis in Psychiatric and Inflammatory Disorders". Frontiers in Psychiatry 9: 44. 2018. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00044. PMID 29593576.
69. ↑ "The Effects of Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Fatigue in Participants With Primary Sjögren's Syndrome". Neuromodulation 26 (3): 681–689. April 2023. doi:10.1016/j.neurom.2022.08.461. PMID 37032583.
70. ↑ 70.0 70.1 Faraji, Navid; Payami, Bahareh; Ebadpour, Negar; Gorji, Ali (2025-02-01). "Vagus nerve stimulation and gut microbiota interactions: A novel therapeutic avenue for neuropsychiatric disorders". Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 169. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105990. ISSN 0149-7634. PMID 39716559.
71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 "Complications and safety of vagus nerve stimulation: 25 years of experience at a single center". Journal of Neurosurgery. Pediatrics 18 (1): 97–104. July 2016. doi:10.3171/2016.1.peds15534. PMID 27015521.
72. ↑ "Pediatric vagal nerve stimulator explantation: A comprehensive literature review and tertiary care experience". International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology 170 (1). 2023. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111603. PMID 37267661.
73. ↑ 73.0 73.1 "Long-Term Treatment with Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Patients with Refractory Epilepsy". AORN Journal 74 (4): 554. October 2001. doi:10.1016/s0001-2092(06)61692-x.
74. ↑ "Impact of vagus nerve stimulation on sleep-related breathing disorders in adults with epilepsy". Epilepsy & Behavior 79: 126–129. February 2018. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2017.10.040. PMID 29287215. https://serval.unil.ch/notice/serval:BIB_A91CA09B347D.
75. ↑ Aihua, Liu; Lu, Song; Liping, Li; Xiuru, Wang; Hua, Lin; Yuping, Wang (October 2014). "A controlled trial of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of pharmacoresistant epilepsy". Epilepsy & Behavior 39: 105–110. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2014.08.005. ISSN 1525-5069. PMID 25240121.
76. ↑ 76.0 76.1 "Neurostimulation Devices for the Treatment of Neurologic Disorders". Mayo Clinic Proceedings 92 (9): 1427–1444. September 2017. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.05.005. PMID 28870357.
77. ↑ "Vagus nerve stimulation: Surgical technique of implantation and revision and related morbidity". Epilepsia 58 Suppl 1 (Suppl 1): 85–90. April 2017. doi:10.1111/epi.13678. PMID 28386925.
78. ↑ "Instructions for Use for gammaCore Sapphire SLC". https://www.gammacore.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/gammaCore-Sapphire-SLC-IFU.pdf.
79. ↑ "The anatomical basis for transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation". Journal of Anatomy 236 (4): 588–611. April 2020. doi:10.1111/joa.13122. PMID 31742681.
80. ↑ "Medical technology guidance SCOPE - gammaCore for cluster headache". https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg46/documents/final-scope.
81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 81.2 "J.L. Corning and vagal nerve stimulation for seizures in the 1880s". Neurology 58 (3): 452–459. February 2002. doi:10.1212/wnl.58.3.452. PMID 11839848.
82. ↑ "A Sensory Cortical Representation of the Vagus Nerve: With a Note on the Effects of Low Blood Pressure on the Cortical Electrogram". Journal of Neurophysiology 1 (5): 405–412. September 1938. doi:10.1152/jn.1938.1.5.405.
83. ↑ "Vagus nerve stimulation: a new tool for brain research and therapy". Biological Psychiatry 47 (4): 287–295. February 2000. doi:10.1016/s0006-3223(99)00308-x. PMID 10686263.
84. ↑ "Washingtonpost.com: Nation". The Washington Post: p. Z07. 24 March 1998. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/health/daily/march98/epilepsy.htm.
85. ↑ "Peripheral control of hypersynchronous discharge in epilepsy". Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology 61 (3): S162. September 1985. doi:10.1016/0013-4694(85)90626-1.
86. ↑ "Inhibition of experimental seizures in canines by repetitive vagal stimulation". Epilepsia 33 (6): 1005–1012. November 1992. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1157.1992.tb01751.x. PMID 1464256.
87. ↑ "Prevention of intractable partial seizures by intermittent vagal stimulation in humans: preliminary results". Epilepsia 31 Suppl 2 (s2): S40–S43. June 1990. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1157.1990.tb05848.x. PMID 2121469.
88. ↑ "FDA Approves Vagus Nerve Stimulation Device for Cluster Headache". Medscape. April 18, 2017. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/878763.
89. ↑ "GammaCore Device Classification under Section 513(f)(2)(de novo)". FDA. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/denovo.cfm?ID=DEN150048.
90. ↑ "FDA Clears Vagus Nerve Stimulator for Migraine Pain". Medscape. January 29, 2018. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/891930.
91. ↑ "GammaCore 510(k) Premarket Notification". FDA. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfPMN/pmn.cfm?ID=K173442.
92. ↑ "Handheld Vagus Nerve Stimulator Gets Emergency Approval for COVID-19 Use". IEEE Spectrum. 22 July 2020. https://spectrum.ieee.org/handheld-vagus-nerve-stimulator-gets-emergency-approval-for-covid19-use.
93. ↑ Department of Health and Human Services. Food and Drug Administration (2021). Available at: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220809145509/https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf21/K211856.pdf fda.gov] (accessed date on 9th April, 2025).
94. ↑ "Vagal nerve stimulation: a review of its applications and potential mechanisms that mediate its clinical effects". Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 29 (3): 493–500. May 2005. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2005.01.004. PMID 15820552.
95. ↑ "Role of the vagus nerve in the development and treatment of diet-induced obesity". The Journal of Physiology 594 (20): 5791–5815. October 2016. doi:10.1113/JP271538. PMID 26959077.
96. ↑ "Brain stimulation in obesity". International Journal of Obesity 41 (12): 1721–1727. December 2017. doi:10.1038/ijo.2017.150. PMID 28663570.
97. ↑ "The current perspective of neuromodulation techniques in the treatment of alcohol addiction: a systematic review". Psychiatria Danubina 24 Suppl 1 (suppl 1): S14–S20. September 2012. PMID 22945180. https://hrcak.srce.hr/264977.
98. ↑ "Devices in the management of advanced, chronic heart failure". Nature Reviews. Cardiology 10 (2): 98–110. February 2013. doi:10.1038/nrcardio.2012.178. PMID 23229137.
99. ↑ "Electrical vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of chronic heart failure". Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine 78 Suppl 1 (1): S24–S29. August 2011. doi:10.3949/ccjm.78.s1.04. PMID 21972326.
100. ↑ Can Zapping the Vagus Nerve Jump-Start Immunity?: An experimental procedure is exposing links between nervous and immune systems, Scientific American, 4 May 2017, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-zapping-the-vagus-nerve-jump-start-immunity/
101. ↑ "Balancing the autonomic nervous system to reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis". Journal of Internal Medicine 282 (1): 64–75. July 2017. doi:10.1111/joim.12626. PMID 28547815.
102. ↑ "Therapeutic Potential of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases". Frontiers in Neuroscience 15. 2021. doi:10.3389/fnins.2021.650971. PMID 33828455.
103. ↑ "Anti-inflammatory Effects of Abdominal Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Experimental Intestinal Inflammation". Frontiers in Neuroscience 13: 418. 2019. doi:10.3389/fnins.2019.00418. PMID 31133776.
104. ↑ "Non-Invasive Nerve Stimulation Shows Promise for Younger IBD Patients". Medpage Today. 15 December 2021. https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aibd/96225.
105. ↑ "Vagus nerve stimulation in patients with Alzheimer's disease: Additional follow-up results of a pilot study through 1 year". The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 67 (8): 1171–1178. August 2006. doi:10.4088/jcp.v67n0801. PMID 16965193.
106. ↑ "Vagal nerve stimulation as a promising tool in the improvement of cognitive disorders". Brain Research Bulletin 155: 37–47. February 2020. doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.11.011. PMID 31790720.
107. ↑ "Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Parkinson Disease Shows Safety, Efficacy". Neurology live. 3 June 2021. https://www.neurologylive.com/view/noninvasive-vagus-nerve-stimulation-parkinson-shows-safety-efficacy.
108. ↑ "Effect of selective vagal nerve stimulation on blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate in rats under metoprolol medication". Hypertension Research 39 (2): 79–87. February 2016. doi:10.1038/hr.2015.122. PMID 26581776.
109. ↑ "Chronic Low-Level Vagus Nerve Stimulation Improves Long-Term Survival in Salt-Sensitive Hypertensive Rats". Frontiers in Physiology 10: 25. 31 January 2019. doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.00025. PMID 30766489.
110. ↑ "Review of the Uses of Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Chronic Pain Management". Current Pain and Headache Reports 19 (12). December 2015. doi:10.1007/s11916-015-0528-6. PMID 26493698.
111. ↑ "A review of vagus nerve stimulation as a therapeutic intervention". Journal of Inflammation Research 11: 203–213. 2018. doi:10.2147/JIR.S163248. PMID 29844694.
112. ↑ "An Update on Non-Pharmacological Neuromodulation for the Acute and Preventive Treatment of Migraine". Headache 57 (4): 685–691. April 2017. doi:10.1111/head.13069. PMID 28295242.
113. ↑ "Effects of chronic vagal nerve stimulation in the treatment of β-amyloid-induced neuropsychiatric symptoms". European Journal of Pharmacology 931. September 2022. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175179. PMID 35973478.

## Further reading

* "Report Casts Doubt on VNS Approval". Clinical Psychiatry News. 1 March 2006. https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Report+casts+doubt+on+VNS+approval.-a0149222466.
* "Battle Lines in Treating Depression". The New York Times. September 10, 2006. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/10/business/yourmoney/10cyber.html.
* The Great Nerve: The New Science of the Vagus Nerve and How to Harness Its Healing Reflexes (First hardcover ed.). New York: Avery. 2025. ISBN 978-0593716991. OCLC 1492298325. https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Great_Nerve/NJAZEQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1.

* v
* t
* e

Psychiatry

Subspecialties|

* Addiction psychiatry
* Biological psychiatry
* Child and adolescent psychiatry
* Cognitive neuropsychiatry
* Cross-cultural psychiatry
* Developmental disability
* Descriptive psychiatry
* Eating disorder
* Emergency psychiatry
* Forensic psychiatry
* Geriatric psychiatry
* Immuno-psychiatry
* Liaison psychiatry
* Military psychiatry
* Narcology
* Neuropsychiatry
* Palliative medicine
* Pain medicine
* Psychotherapy
* Sleep medicine

Organizations|

* American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
* American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
* American Neuropsychiatric Association
* American Psychiatric Association
* Campaign Against Psychiatric Abuse
* Chinese Society of Psychiatry
* Democratic Psychiatry
* European Psychiatric Association
* Global Initiative on Psychiatry
* Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists
* Independent Psychiatric Association of Russia
* Indian Psychiatric Society
* National Institute of Mental Health
* Philadelphia Association
* Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
* Royal College of Psychiatrists
* Working Commission to Investigate the Use of Psychiatry for Political Purposes
* World Psychiatric Association
* Taiwanese Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Related topics|

* Anti-psychiatry
* Behavioral medicine
* Clinical neuroscience
* Imaging genetics
* Neuroimaging
* Neurophysiology
* Philosophy of psychiatry
* Political abuse of psychiatry
* Psychiatrist
* Psychiatric epidemiology
* Psychiatric genetics
* Psychiatric survivors movement
* Psychosomatic medicine
* Psycho-oncology
* Psychopharmacology
* Psychosurgery
* Psychoanalysis

Lists|

* Outline of the psychiatric survivors movement
* Psychiatrists
* Neurological conditions and disorders
* Counseling topics
* Psychotherapies
* Psychiatric medications
* by condition treated

* Portal
* Outline

* v
* t
* e

Medicine

Specialties
and
subspecialties|

Surgery

* Cardiac surgery
* Cardiothoracic surgery
* Colorectal surgery
* Eye surgery
* General surgery
* Neurosurgery
* Oral and maxillofacial surgery
* [[[Medicine:Orthopedic surgery|Orthopedic surgery]]
* Hand surgery
* Otolaryngology
* ENT
* Pediatric surgery
* Plastic surgery
* Reproductive surgery
* Surgical oncology
* Thoracic surgery
* Transplant surgery
* Trauma surgery
* Urology
* Andrology
* Vascular surgery

Internal medicine

* Allergy / Immunology
* Angiology
* Cardiology
* Endocrinology
* Gastroenterology
* Hepatology
* Geriatrics
* Hematology
* Hospital medicine|
* Infectious disease
* Nephrology
* Oncology
* Pulmonology
* Rheumatology

Obstetrics and gynaecology

* Gynaecology
* Gynecologic oncology
* Maternal–fetal medicine
* Obstetrics
* Reproductive endocrinology and infertility
* Urogynecology

Diagnostic

* Radiology
* Interventional radiology
* Nuclear medicine
* Pathology
* Anatomical
* Clinical pathology
* Clinical chemistry
* Clinical immunology
* Cytopathology
* Medical microbiology
* Transfusion medicine

Other specialties

* Addiction medicine
* Adolescent medicine
* Anesthesiology
* Dermatology
* Disaster medicine
* Diving medicine
* Emergency medicine
* Mass gathering medicine
* Family medicine
* General practice
* Hospital medicine
* Intensive care medicine
* Medical genetics
* Narcology
* Neurology
* Clinical neurophysiology
* Occupational medicine
* Ophthalmology
* Oral medicine
* Pain management
* Palliative care
* Pediatrics
* Neonatology
* Physical medicine and rehabilitation
* PM&R
* Preventive medicine
* Psychiatry
* Addiction psychiatry
* Radiation oncology
* Reproductive medicine
* Sexual medicine
* Sleep medicine
* Sports medicine
* Transplantation medicine
* Tropical medicine
* Travel medicine
* Venereology

Medical education|

* Medical school
* Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
* Bachelor of Medical Sciences
* Master of Medicine
* Master of Surgery
* Doctor of Medicine
* Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
* MD–PhD

Related topics|

* Alternative medicine
* Allied health
* Dentistry
* Podiatry
* Physiotherapy
* Molecular oncology
* Nanomedicine
* Personalized medicine
* Public health
* Traditional medicine
* Veterinary medicine
* Physician
* Chief physician
* History of medicine

* Book
* Category
* Commons
* Wikiproject
* Portal
* Outline

0.00

(0 votes)

Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagus nerve stimulation. Read more

|

Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Biology:Vagus_nerve_stimulation&oldid=4355951"
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template