The Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Seizure, Cognition and Mood

Objectives: Vagus-nerve stimulation (VNS) is a new treatment approach especially for the patients with partial onset epilepsy refractory to antiepileptic medications. It is getting a widespread usage because VNS does not interact with antiepileptic drugs and does not have cognitive and systemic side effects. Based on clinical observations, VNS decreases the frequency and severity of seizures. It is an alternative treatment even for patients who have poor tolerance of antiepileptic drugs. In this study, we reported the seizure frequency, antiepileptic drugs regime of 9 VNS patients and by the neuropyscological tests, we analyzed the effects of VNS on cognitive function, depression and anxiety. Material-method: Detailed neuropsychological tests were applied in all patients. Hamilton depression scale was used for measurement of depresion and Hamilton anxiety scale was used for anxiety evaluation. Result: Partial or complete seizure control was achieved in 70% of patients, executive function and verbal fluency tests were improved after VNS. Depression and anxiety scores were improved in 57% and 37% of the patients, respectively. Conclusion: The patients who were implanted VNS, both reduction of seizure and improvement on cognitive disfunction and mood disorders were accessed. Although VNS is an expensive treatment, it can be favored for the patients that have medically refractory epilepsy and cognitive dysfunction.