Vagus and trigeminal nerve stimulation

This chapter summarizes the basis and clinical use of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), including new technologies for stimulating the vagus nerve, and provides an overview of trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS). Vagus nerve stimulation has been investigated in a number of animal models of epilepsy. In most of these studies, stimulation was applied just before or immediately after the onset of a seizure. Other studies evaluated the relationship between cumulative duration of vagus nerve stimulation and seizure prophylaxis. Successful clinical implementation of VNS requires a team approach to implant the device, teach the patient and his/her family about its use, titrate the stimulation parameters to optimum clinical response, and monitor the patient's side-effects and the device's remaining battery life.