Vagus nerve stimulation therapy, epilepsy, and device parameters: scientific basis and recommendations for use.
Our understanding of a precise dose-response relationship for vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy in the treatment of seizures is still evolving. Because several parameters are involved in VNS therapy, the individual contribution of each is not well understood. This review discusses the efficacy of stimulation parameters used in the VNS clinical trials. The background, influence on safety and efficacy, and role in helping to achieve seizure control are discussed for each VNS device parameter: output current, pulse duration, frequency, and duty cycle. Finally, we provide an algorithm for the adjustment of VNS device settings (see Appendices).
Heck
Christi
C
USC Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Helmers
Sandra L
SL
DeGiorgio
Christopher M
CM
D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology*