Fedorov Electrical Stimulation Therapy helps regain vision without surgery
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What is VNS? It’s when a device is surgically implanted into someone’s chest, like a pacemaker. A wire from the VNS device is wrapped around the left vagus nerve in the neck. The vagus nerve runs from the base of the brain to the chest and abdomen, with one branch running on each side of the body.
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy is a treatment for epilepsy that involves a stimulator (or ‘pulse generator’) which is connected, inside the body, to the left vagus nerve in the neck. The stimulator sends regular, mild electrical stimulations through this nerve to help calm down the irregular electrical brain activity that leads to ...
- What Is The Aim of VNS Therapy?
- Can I Be Considered For VNS Therapy?
- What Is The Stimulator like?
- How Does The Stimulator Work?
- What Can VNS Therapy Do If I Have A Seizure?
- Does VNS Therapy Have Any Side Effects?
- What About Any Other Positive Effects?
- What Happens If It Does Not Work?
- Can I Have An MRI Scan If I Have VNS Therapy?
- X-Rays and Ct Scans
VNS therapy aims to reduce the number, length, and severity of seizures. For some people, their seizures become much less frequent, for some it may reduce their seizures a little, and for others it has no effect. VNS therapy may reduce the length or intensity of seizures but this does not happen for everyone. It may also reduce the time it takes to...
VNS therapy is usually considered if you have tried a number of ASMs which have not fully controlled your seizures, and if you are not suitable for, or do not want to have, brain surgery. People who are considering VNS therapy will usually be given information about VNS from their neurologist or epilepsy specialist nurse.
The stimulator is a bit like a heart pacemaker. It is implanted (placed) under the skin in the upper chest (under the left collar bone) during a small operation under general anaesthetic. Because of the size of the stimulator there will be a small lump where it lies, and a small scar where it was put in. A lead connects the stimulator in the chest ...
The stimulator is usually switched on within two weeks of it being implanted. The neurologist or nurse will programme the stimulator and set the amount (strength and length) of the electrical stimulation given. The amount of stimulation varies from person to person, but is usually started at a low level and slowly increased to a suitable level for ...
Some people have a warning or aura, which is a focal aware seizure, that tells them that they are going to have a further seizure. When this happens, a special magnet can be passed over the stimulator to give stronger stimulation for a slightly longer period of time. This may stop the aura from developing into another seizure, or may reduce how lon...
VNS therapy can cause side effects but usually only during the time that the nerve is being stimulated. Side effects may not happen for everyone but can include discomfort in the throat, a cough, difficulty swallowing, and a hoarse voice. Side effects usually reduce over time and do not usually mean that the stimulator has to be switched off. If si...
Some people feel that VNS therapy improves their mood, memory, or alertness, and may also help reduce depression or have a positive effect on their quality of life (overall wellbeing).
VNS therapy does not work for everyone. If there is no benefit received from VNS therapy, you and your specialist may consider having it switched off or removed. Even if VNS therapy has no effect on the seizures, it might have other positive effects (see previous question).
If you have VNS therapy and need an MRI, it is important that everyone involved with the scan is aware, so that they can decide if the scan can be done safely. VNS therapy is 'MRI conditional' meaning that, as long as certain precautions are followed, an MRI scan is possible on some areas of the body. Visit LivaNova (makers of the VNS therapy syste...
X-rays and CT scans do not affect, and are not affected by, VNS therapy. This is because they do not produce enough radiation to cause damage to the stimulator. However, extra care may be needed, or the stimulator may need to be switched off for the scan, and turned back on again afterwards.
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) uses an implanted device to send an electrical pulse to your vagus nerve, which then travels to your brain. VNS is used to treat epilepsy, depression and as a rehabilitation aid for stroke.
Vagus-nerve stimulation (VNS) is now an accepted treatment for patients with refractory epilepsy. There have been many studies suggesting that VNS affects the brain in such areas as the thalamus and other limbic structures.
- Elinor Ben-Menachem
- 2002
VNS therapy is delivered by the generator which is programmed to send mild electrical pulses through the wire to the vagus nerve and to areas of the brain associated with seizure. The aim is to reduce frequency and severity of seizures.
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What is vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy?
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Does insurance cover vagus nerve stimulators?
If you have seizures which can’t be controlled with epilepsy medicines, and you are not able to have epilepsy brain surgery, then vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy may be an option for you. The aim of VNS therapy is to reduce the number of seizures you have and make them less severe.
