title: Neuroprotective effects of vagus nerve stimulation on hippocampal neurons in intractable epilepsy.
abstract: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and electroacupuncture (EA) at specific acupoints have both shown promising anticonvulsant effects in intractable epilepsy patients. The differences between these therapies are target selection and stimulation parameter modulation. It has been demonstrated that EA of the extremities results in stimulation of the VN and protection of hippocampus neurons, possibly by an anti-inflammatory response. Similarly, VNS can also suppress neural inflammatory responses, implying that VNS may protect hippocampal neurons against seizure-induced damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100093, China.
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiang-dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Chun-jiang
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000379:methods; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000628:therapy*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000528:radiation effects*; D055536:Vagus Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods*