title: Vagus nerve stimulation in chronic treatment-resistant depression: preliminary findings of an open-label study.
abstract: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of vagus nerve stimulation therapy in the treatment of 11 patients with chronic treatment-resistant depression. Mood was evaluated at frequent intervals over the year following implantation. All measures of depression, including the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression reduced significantly. The response and remission rates were 55% and 27% respectively at 1 year. Side-effects were common, and some were severe.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Unit, Leazes Wing, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK. ciaran.corcoran@ncl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Ciaran D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Corcoran
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: O'Keane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014630:Vagus Nerve