Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Does it Work?

Daban and coauthors recently reviewed data on efficacy of VNS in theJournal of Affective Disorders:

Objective: The main objective of this review of the literature was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) by means of systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods: A systematic review of the literature was made using the major databases (Medline, Psychological Abstracts, Current Contents), beginning in January 2000 and ending in September 2007. Ninety-eight references were found, but only 18 add-on studies met the required quality criteria and were included in this review. Only one double-blind, randomized study was available and therefore a meta-analysis was not feasible.
Results: In a majority of the preliminary open studies selected for this review, VNS was associated with a significant reduction of the depressive symptoms (primary outcome: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, HDRS) in the short and long term. Unfortunately, the only double-blind study gave rather inconclusive results. Generally, VNS is reported to be a safe and feasible procedure, despite its invasive nature.
Conclusions: VNS seems to be an interesting new approach to treating TRD. However, despite the promising results reported mainly in open studies, further clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy in major depression. Moreover, studies on its mechanism of action and cost-effectiveness are also required to better understand and develop VNS therapy for affective disorder.

Address update for Mindcare in Canada

Deanna Bertoia

Manager of Clinic Development

Ottawa/Toronto MindCare Centre

Local Ottawa: 613.569.7867

Local Toronto: 647.344.7867

Toll-free: 1.888.726.7867

Fax: 613.715.5833

Deanna{at}mindcarecentres.com

www.mindcarecentres.com

Remote Excitation of Neuronal Circuits Using Low-Intensity, Low-Frequency Ultrasound

A group of neuroscientists at Arizona State University has developed pulsed ultrasound techniques that can remotely stimulate brain circuit activity. Read the open source article here.

A new implantable Neurostimulator ?

Texcel Introduces Innovative Programmable, Implantable Stimulation System for R&D of Specialty Stimulation Therapies

Last update: 3:15 p.m. EDT Oct. 29, 2008

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass., Oct 29, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Texcel, a leading provider of custom medical device development and manufacturing solutions, has introduced its innovative new StimX programmable, implantable stimulation system.
Designed for use in the research and development of specialty stimulation therapies, the StimX system is the industry's first-truly programmable, implantable customizable platform.
The StimX system's programmable stimulation parameters "will directly benefit medical researchers and medical device developers by dramatically reducing the time, cost, and risk involved in creating devices for use in testing stimulation therapies in a variety of applications," said Keith Checca, Texcel Director of Business Development.
"With the StimX implantable system, we are freeing researchers from the hours and dollars that they'd otherwise invest in designing and developing their own devices -- and to literally re-allocate their resources back into their research," said Checca.
Neural stimulation therapies, including direct nerve and brain stimulation, are used to treat people who suffer from epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, clinical depression and other diseases. Targeted stimulation areas range widely from direct brain surface, deep brain stimulation, to the spinal cord and peripheral nerves.
Texcel's new StimX platform includes an implantable stimulator, laptop and output customization program, proven wireless communication and charging modules.
The need for the system was realized as a result of Texcel's years of innovation in the field of custom medical device manufacturing and it was made possible by Texcel's partnerships with medical electronics development resources.
For more information, visit the Texcel website at: http://www.texcelmedical.com/stimx; or call the company at (413) 525-5700.