Vagus Nerve Stimulation For Treatment Resistant Depression: Case Series Of Six Patients - Retrospective Efficacy And Safety Observation After One Year Follow Up.


Author: Kucia K1, Merk W1, Zapalowicz K2, Medrala T1

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, GCM, Katowice 40-635, Poland.

<sup>2</sup>Neurosurgery Ward, GCM, Katowice 40-635, Poland.
Conference/Journal: Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat.
Date published: 2019 Nov 25
Other:
 Volume ID: 15   ,  Pages: 3247-3254   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.2147/NDT.S217816. eCollection  2019.   ,  Word Count: 180  
    Objective: One year observation and evaluation of the VNS (vagus nerve stimulation) efficacy and safety for patients with treatment resistant depression in Polish conditions.



Methods: An open label, uncontrolled and one center retrospective study of VNS therapy was implemented with stable pharmacotherapy in 6 patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD). For the first 3 months, only VNS parameters were altered but the pharmacological treatment was unchanged and in the following 9 months, medication and VNS dosing parameters were altered according to the clinical state of the patients.



Results: The baseline 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-24) score averaged 24. Both response (>50% reduction in baseline scores) and remission rates after 3 months of treatment were only 40%. After 1 year of VNS therapy, the response rates increased to 86%. Most frequent side-effects were voice alteration (86% at 3 months of stimulation) and headaches (40%).



Conclusion: VNS treatment was safe and effective in TRD patients and its efficacy increased with time. Efficacy ratings are similar to the previously reported studies using a congenial protocol.



© 2019 Kucia et al.



KEYWORDS: brain stimulation; treatment resistant depression; vagus nerve stimulation



PMID: 31819452 PMCID: PMC6883943 DOI: 10.2147/NDT.S217816