Brain Stimulation Laboratory

Stimulation of the vagus nerve in the left cervical region is an FDA approved technique for treating epilepsy. Approximately 30,000 people have VNS devices implanted for seizure control. In 1998, BLS researchers at MUSC were the first in the world to implant VNS devices in patients with major depression who had not adequately responded to traditional antidepressants. This multi-site open clinical trial showed promising results. The BSL recently completed enrollment in a followup multisite double-blind clinical trial of VNS in refractory depression.
We do offer VNS as a treatment for depression through our Mood Disorders Clinic.
In addition, there are several ongoing add-on VNS studies at MUSC for patients who are interested. These involve assessing quality of life, participating in a national registry, or determining whether VNS modulation of your pain threshold might help determine optimum dosing.






Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A New Tool for Brain Research and Therapy, Feb. 2000 A recent (2007) review of VNS Cyberonics, the Company that makes VNS generators. More about VNS therapy for depression.		Stimulation of the vagus nerve in the left cervical region is an FDA approved technique for treating epilepsy. Approximately 30,000 people have VNS devices implanted for seizure control. In 1998, BLS researchers at MUSC were the first in the world to implant VNS devices in patients with major depression who had not adequately responded to traditional antidepressants. This multi-site open clinical trial showed promising results. The BSL recently completed enrollment in a followup multisite double-blind clinical trial of VNS in refractory depression. We do offer VNS as a treatment for depression through our Mood Disorders Clinic. In addition, there are several ongoing add-on VNS studies at MUSC for patients who are interested. These involve assessing quality of life, participating in a national registry, or determining whether VNS modulation of your pain threshold might help determine optimum dosing.