Improving the lives of patients with medically refractory epilepsy by electrical stimulation of the nervous system.
Vagal nerve stimulation proved effective in animal models of epilepsy, and in open and double-blinded trials, in over 450 patients. Seizure reduction improved for at least 2 years. Almost 50% of treated patients achieve at least a 50% reduction in seizure frequency. Other advantages include termination of a seizure and improved alertness. Benefits were demonstrated in children, partial and generalized epilepsies, and in specific neurologic syndromes.
Murphy
Jerome V
JV
Children's Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA. jmurphy@cmh.edu
Patil
Arun Angelo
AA
D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004285:Dogs; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*