Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

VNS uses a pulse generator, almost the size of a stopwatch, placed in the upper left side of the chest to restore the vagus nerve, which carries messages to parts of the brain that control sleep and mood, with electrical impulses. VNS can be used to treat sadness, as well as other medical conditions including epilepsy.

The FDA has accepted VNS for treating hard-to-treat depression, sadness that hasn’t improved after trying four different medications.

• Voice changes or hoarseness
• Cough or sore throat
• Neck pain
• Discomfort in the area where the generator is located
• Breathing problems when exercising

Related Associations:

Neuropathy Association and Nevus Outreach, Inc, Brain Injury Resource Center and Brain Trauma Foundation, Epilepsy Therapy Project and Exceptional Parent Magazine , Huntington's Disease Society of America Hydrocephalus Association, Multiple Sclerosis Association of America and Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Multiple System Atrophy Coalition, Acoustic Neuroma Association and ADA Disability and Business Technical Assistance Program; Aicardi Syndrome Foundation and Alliance for Aging Research; ALS Association and ALS Therapy Development Institute; Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood Foundation and Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation.