Vagus nerve stimulation on epilepsy and depression

Abstract

This review presents an overview of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) utilization. The vagus nerve (VN) is among the most versatile and important nerves, with the capability to regulate a few bodily functions, and has been playing a vital role as part of therapies for a range of health concerns. VNS is an effective therapeutic method, which has gotten the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States. It is a type of neurostimulation method that plays a crucial part in drug-resistant depression and refractory epilepsy. It provides a surgical option for patients suffering from the conditions mentioned above, and is rather effective compared with other surgical approaches, thus improving patients life quality. Despite side effects, it is considered a decent therapeutic method and is currently used widely clinically. Furthermore, the mechanisms of VNS have not been completely understood. Therefore, further research is necessary, to discover the potential of VNS as an additional therapy for various other medical conditions.