Acute vagus nerve stimulation using different pulse widths produces varying brain effects.
BACKGROUND
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an approved treatment for epilepsy and has been investigated in clinical trials of depression. Little is known about the relationship of VNS parameters to brain function. Using the interleaved VNS /functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique, we tested whether variations of VNS pulse width (PW) would produce different immediate brain activation in a manner consistent with single neuron PW studies.


METHODS
Twelve adult patients with major depression, treated with VNS, underwent three consecutive VNS/fMRI scans, each randomly using one of three PWs (130 micros, 250 micros, or 500 micros). The data were analyzed with SPM2.


RESULTS
Global activations induced by PWs 250 and 500 were both significantly greater than that induced by PW 130 but not significantly different from each other. For global deactivation, PWs 130 and 250 were both significantly greater than PW 500 but not significantly different from each other. Regional similarities and differences were also seen with the various PWs.


CONCLUSIONS
The data confirm our hypothesis that VNS at PW 500 globally produces no more activation than does PW 250, and PW 130 is insufficient for activation of some regions. These data suggest that PW is an important variable in producing VNS brain effects.
Mu
Qiwen
Q
Brain Stimulation Laboratory, Medical University of South Carolina, Institute of Psychiatry 502N, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
Bohning
Daryl E
DE
Nahas
Ziad
Z
Walker
John
J
Anderson
Berry
B
Johnson
Kevin A
KA
Denslow
Stewart
S
Lomarev
Mikhail
M
Moghadam
Poya
P
Chae
Jeong-Ho
JH
George
Mark S
MS
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000528:radiation effects*
D010100:Oxygen