Vagus Nerve Stimulation | Treatments

In addition to medications and diets, some other therapies for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) have benefitted children. One such treatment is called vagus nerve stimulation (or simply VNS). In this therapy, an implant sends small electrical impulses to the brain to help control seizures.

The vagus nerve is a large nerve in the neck. In VNS, short bursts of electrical energy are directed into the brain through the vagus nerve. The energy comes from a battery that is surgically implanted under the skin – usually in the chest. The procedure takes 50-90 minutes with the patient under general anesthesia.¹

The battery is programmed to deliver small stimulations to the vagus nerve every few minutes.² Like a pacemaker for the brain. Holding a special magnet over the device can allow users to stimulate the vagus nerve as needed, such as when an “aura” presents itself before a seizure.¹

In VNS, short bursts of electrical energy are directed into the brain to treat seizures.

In 3 small, published studies, selected patients were given VNS therapy as an adjunctive therapy in addition to antiepileptic medication. Approximately three-fourths of patients with LGS experienced more than a 50% reduction in seizure frequency with a follow-up period as long as 5 years.³

VNS therapy may not be for everyone. It can often cause hoarseness during stimulation. Other common side effects include tingling in the throat, shortness of breath with exertion, cough, and occasional stomach problems.⁴ Talk to your doctor to see what options are available to your loved one.

In addition to the treatment options explored so far, there is also a specific surgical procedure that may help reduce the frequency of drop attacks.

Learn more: Corpus callosotomy »

References:
^1.	Vagus nerve stimulation. Epilepsy.com. http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/vns. December 15, 2006. Accessed September 28, 2010.
^2.	Treatment options: vagus nerve stimulation. Epilepsy Foundation Web site. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/treatment/vns. Accessed September 28, 2010.
^3.	Glauser, TA, Morita DA, Stannard KM. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. eMedicine Web site. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1176735-treatment. Updated April 26, 2010. Accessed September 28, 2010.
^4.	Vagal nerve stimulation. NYU Medical Center Web site. http://www.med.nyu.edu/neurosurgery/epilepsy/conditions/vagal.html. Accessed October 18, 2010.