[Vagal nerve stimulation as a treatment of epilepsy].
BACKGROUND
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a non-pharmacological treatment for drug resistant epilepsy.


BACKGROUND
The good efficacy and tolerability of this device is now well established after several controlled studies, and more than 17000 people operated on in different countries. The physiology of VNS is not yet well known, and the potential mechanisms of action are reviewed. VNS seems to be as efficient as a new medication without some of the disadvantages (in case of pregnancy for example). SNV may have a beneficial effect for all kinds of drug-resistant epilepsy.


CONCLUSIONS
Better knowledge of the underlying anti-epileptic mechanisms may help to select the better responders to this expensive anti-epileptic tool.
Biraben
A
A
Unité d'Epileptologie, Service de Neurologie, CHU de Rennes, Hôpital Pontchaillou, Rennes. arnaud.biraben@univ-rennes1.fr
Stefani
C
C
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*