Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for depression: what do we know now and what should be done next?
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy is the first US Food and Drug Administration-approved somatic clinical intervention for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Long-term open data suggest a sustainable antidepressant response over time. Here we review the clinical data that exist so far and their limitations. We also discuss guidelines that may inform the clinical utilization of this procedure. Further clinical studies, in addition to prospective cost utilization and health economic investigations, are needed to better understand VNS therapy and the impact it holds on TRD care.
Nahas
Ziad
Z
Mood Disorders Program, Medical Director of Brain Stimulation Laboratory; Institute of Psychiatry, 67 President Street, Room 502 North, Charleston, SC 29403, USA. nahasz@musc.edu
Burns
Carol
C
Foust
Milton J
MJ
Short
Baron
B
Herbsman
Tal
T
George
Mark S
MS
D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*