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Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) as symptomatic treatment of migraine in young patients: a preliminary safety study

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Abstract

Recent clinical experiences and clinical trials have demonstrated the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS; gammaCore®) for the acute and prophylactic treatment of migraine. nVNS has a favorable adverse event profile, making it an attractive option for sensitive patient populations. We explored the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of nVNS as acute migraine treatment in adolescents. A group of adolescent patients suffering from migraine without aura were trained to use gammaCore to manage their migraine attacks. 46.8% of the treated migraine attacks (22/47) were considered successfully treated and did not require any rescue medication. No device-related adverse events were recorded. This preliminary study suggests that nVNS may represent a safe, well-tolerated, and effective for acute migraine treatment in adolescents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Headache Center, Carlo Besta Neurological Institute and Foundation, Milan, Italy

    Licia Grazzi

  2. Headache Unit, “C. Besta” Neurological Institute and Foundation, Via Celoria, 11, 20133, Milan, Italy

    Licia Grazzi

  3. Headache and Pain Unit, Department of Neurological Motor and Sensorial Science, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy

    Gabriella Egeo & Piero Barbanti

  4. ElectroCore, LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ, USA

    Eric Liebler

  5. Kiara Association, Torino, Italy

    Anna Maria Padovan

Authors
  1. Licia Grazzi
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  2. Gabriella Egeo
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  3. Eric Liebler
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  4. Anna Maria Padovan
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  5. Piero Barbanti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Licia Grazzi.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Grazzi, L., Egeo, G., Liebler, E. et al. Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) as symptomatic treatment of migraine in young patients: a preliminary safety study. Neurol Sci 38 (Suppl 1), 197–199 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-017-2942-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-017-2942-5

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