What Is Next In Seizures & Depression?

Notice this is not written by a professional and for further knowledge on the VNS

please seak professional help. This is just a artical on the VNS by one who has one and has

seeked medical help.

In 1934 the idea to control seizures with an electrical current was made by a man named

Zelma Weis. It wasn't until years later in 1985 that a device would be invented to do just that by a man

named Zabra J. Preferel. The first human trial was not done until 1988. The Food and Drug

Administration in the U.S. did not approve it until 1997.

Like all drugs and devices put into humans, the Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) had its side

effects too. The worst 1996 ten Sudden Unexplained Deaths (SUDE) have occurred. The most

common side effects are; voice changes, hoarseness, throat pain, cough, headaches, shortness of

breath. difficulty swallowing, tingling, or prickling of skin, insomnia, and worsening of sleep apnea.

Most people find these tolerable when they lessen medications or seizures. The VNS also works on

depression which is another side effect.

There is two incisions made to put the device in. one is put over the left side of the chest

which is for the generator which has a lead that comes out of it. This runs to the left side of the throat

where a second incision is made. Enabling the lead to the Vagus Nerve. It then sends an electrical

pulse to the brain stem. The vagus nerve is the tenth cranial nerve that arises from the medulla.

In the future it may be used for other things such as Alzheimer's Disease (since the VNS

helps with memory too), anxiety disorder, obesity, alchohol addiction, autoimmune disorder, and

chronic pain disorder. For now; however, it is just used for Depressive Disorder and Seizure Disorders.

Much thanks to JMW for gathering the information for me from Wikapedia, and the Mayo

Clinic so I could write this article for you.

Paul D. Eccles

Eccles' Stories