Volume 7, Number 2

Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Treatment-resistant Depression

Mustafa M. Husain, MD; Shawn M. McClintock, MS; Kenneth Trevino, BA; and Louis A. Whitworth, MD

Dr. Husain is Professor of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine.

Mr. McClintock is a Doctoral Candidate in Department of Clinical Psychology and Clinical Research Associate in Department of Psychiatry.

Dr. Whitworth is Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery.

Abstract

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). To date, two multicenter studies of this therapy have been conducted--an open-label pilot study and a double-masked efficacy study followed by a naturalistic long-term study. The long-term results of both studies showed a statistically significant improvement in depressive symptoms in participants who received VNS therapy. This approach had a low risk:benefit ratio in terms of neuropsychological and sleep variables. Further research is needed to better understand the antidepressant mechanisms and optimal treatment parameters for VNS therapy.