Cerebral Blood Flow during Vagus Nerve Stimulation – a Transcranial Doppler Study

Vol. 51, No. 4, 2005

Free Abstract Article (References) Article (PDF 82 KB)

Original Paper

Cerebral Blood Flow during Vagus Nerve Stimulation - a Transcranial Doppler Study
Peter Neu, Isabella Heuser, Malek Bajbouj

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Neuropsychobiology 2005;51:265-268 (DOI: 10.1159/000085822)

Key Words

Vagus nerve stimulation
Cerebral blood flow
Doppler

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an approved treatment of partial onset seizures and has recently shown antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant depression. This study was conducted to investigate whether acute VNS has an influence on cerebral blood flow (CBF) in humans. Methods: This investigation was designed as an add-on study. In 10 patients with an implanted stimulator who participated in a multicenter clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of VNS in depression, CBF was investigated by functional transcranial Doppler at baseline (before the stimulator was turned on for the first time) and during stimulation with three different stimulation intensities in a randomized order. Results: Immediately after every increase of the current, CBF velocity showed a nonsignificant increase. Otherwise, no change of CBF above standard deviation could be registered. Conclusion: Acute VNS does not have an influence on CBF velocity in depressive patients.

Author Contacts

Dr. Peter Neu
Charité Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Eschenallee 3
DE-14050 Berlin (Germany)
Tel. +49 30 8445 8673, Fax +49 30 8445 8388, E-Mail peter.neu@charite.de

Article Information

Published online: May 18, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 13

Medline Abstract (ID 15905632)

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