Where is vagus nerve stimulator

Vagus Nerve Stimulation therapy is a treatment for epilepsy that involves a stimulator or 'pulse generator' which is connected, inside the body, to the left vagus nerve in the neck. The stimulator sends regular, mild electrical stimulations through this nerve to help calm down the irregular electrical brain activity that leads to seizures.

There are several ways to treat epilepsy. How well each treatment works varies from one person to another. Vagus nerve stimulation therapy is a form of treatment for people with epilepsy whose seizures are not controlled with medication. The vagus nerves are a pair of nerves that start in the brain and run through the body.

They carry messages between the brain and the body. Vagus nerve stimulation VNS therapy is a treatment for epilepsy that involves a stimulator or 'pulse generator' which is connected, inside the body, to the left vagus nerve in the neck. VNS therapy aims to reduce the number, length, and severity of seizures.

For some people, their seizures become much less frequent, for some it may reduce their seizures a little, and for others it has no effect. VNS therapy may reduce the length or intensity of seizures but this does not happen for everyone.

It may also reduce the time it takes to recover after a seizure. The effect of VNS therapy may not happen straightaway; it can take up to two years for it to have an effect on someone's seizures.

It is used alongside anti-epileptic drugs AEDs not instead of them. VNS therapy is usually considered if you have tried a number of AEDs which have not fully controlled your seizures, and if you are not suitable for, or do not want to have, brain surgery.

People who are considering VNS will usually be given information about VNS from their neurologist or epilepsy specialist nurse. The stimulator is a bit like a heart pacemaker.

It is implanted placed under the skin in the upper chest under the left collar bone during a small operation under general anaesthetic. Because of the size of the stimulator there will be a small lump where it lies, and a small scar where it was put in. Some complications or side effects may decrease over time, however, adjusting the electrical impulses may also help to minimize these effects. While vagus nerve stimulation may not completely stop seizures in patients with epilepsy, many individuals do experience a reduction in the number of seizures that they experience.

It may also take up to 2 years for epilepsy patients to notice any significant relief of symptoms from the use of vagus nerve stimulation. Research varies on whether vagus nerve stimulation is an effective method of treatment for depression.

Patients may need several months of treatment before noticing any improvement in the symptoms of depression. Vagus nerve stimulation may not be an effective treatment for all patients and is not meant to replace traditional treatments for the associated conditions. Vagus Nerve Stimulation Vagus nerve stimulation is a therapeutic treatment that sends electric signals to the brain through a small device that is implanted underneath the skin of the chest.

Seizure intensity may lessen as well. It can take months or even a year or longer of stimulation before you notice any significant reduction in seizures. Vagus nerve stimulation may also shorten the recovery time after a seizure. People who've had vagus nerve stimulation to treat epilepsy may also experience improvements in mood and quality of life. Research is still mixed on the benefits of implanted vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of depression.

Some studies suggest the benefits of vagus nerve stimulation for depression accrue over time, and it may take at least several months of treatment before you notice any improvements in your depression symptoms.

Implanted vagus nerve stimulation doesn't work for everybody, and it isn't intended to replace traditional treatments. Studies of implanted vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, headaches and rheumatoid arthritis have been too small to draw any definitive conclusions about how well it may work for those problems. More research is needed. Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care like they've never experienced.

See the stories of satisfied Mayo Clinic patients. Janice Breien was anxious to find a better way to manage the seizures that regularly disrupted her daily life. Enter her Mayo care team -- ready to listen and provide solutions. Now, with her seizures under control, Janice has a renewed sense of optimism. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Vagus nerve stimulation involves the use of a device to stimulate the vagus nerve with electrical impulses. Vagus nerve stimulation Open pop-up dialog box Close. Vagus nerve stimulation In vagus nerve stimulation, an implanted pulse generator and lead wire stimulate the vagus nerve, which leads to stabilization of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.

Fresh Approach to Epilepsy Treatment Rekindles Zest for Life Janice Breien was anxious to find a better way to manage the seizures that regularly disrupted her daily life. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Edwards CA, et al.

Neurostimulation devices for the treatment of neurologic disorders. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Wheless JW, et al. Removing it will resume the stimulation cycle. All maneuvers performed with the magnet can be done by the patient, family members, friends or caregivers.

Side effects are most commonly related to stimulation and usually improve over time. These may include any of the following:. Of these, hoarseness, coughing, throat tickling and shortness of breath are the most common and are usually temporary. If you have received VNS, you should monitor your condition and overall health closely. If any of the following occur, call your doctor right away:. In addition, you should call your physician before you undergo any medical tests that might affect, or be affected by VNS, such as magnetic resonance imaging MRI , or before you have any other medical devices implanted.

VNS may be considered as a treatment option in patients who have tried two or more anti-epileptic drugs AEDs without adequate control of their seizures or in patients who have not responded to AEDs and cannot undergo brain surgery. In addition, VNS is considered a palliative procedure which can effectively improve seizure control but does not generally produce complete seizure-freedom.

The goal of VNS is to reduce the number, length and severity of seizures. VNS may also reduce the time it takes to recover after a seizure. However, VNS is not successful in all patients. The success of this treatment differs — some patients report less frequent seizures, others report a slight reduction, while some patients do not respond at all. For people with warnings auras before their seizures, activating the stimulator with the magnet when the warning occurs may help shorten or even stop the seizures.