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Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for depression: What do we know now and what should be done next?

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Abstract

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy is the first US Food and Drug Administration-approved somatic clinical intervention for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Long-term open data suggest a sustainable antidepressant response over time. Here we review the clinical data that exist so far and their limitations. We also discuss guidelines that may inform the clinical utilization of this procedure. Further clinical studies, in addition to prospective cost utilization and health economic investigations, are needed to better understand VNS therapy and the impact it holds on TRD care.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Psychiatry, 67 President Street, Room 502 North, 29403, Charleston, SC, USA

    Ziad Nahas MD, MSCR (Director of Mood Disorders Program, Medical Director of Brain Stimulation Laboratory)

Authors
  1. Ziad Nahas MD, MSCR
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  2. Carol Burns MSN, RN, CS
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  3. Milton J. Foust MD
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  4. Baron Short MD
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  5. Tal Herbsman MD
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  6. Mark S. George MD
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Correspondence to Ziad Nahas MD, MSCR.

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Nahas, Z., Burns, C., Foust, M.J. et al. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for depression: What do we know now and what should be done next?. Curr Psychiatry Rep 8, 445–451 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-006-0049-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-006-0049-4

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