Implanted Devices
The
vagus nerve stimulator was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997 for use in people with
seizures that are not well-controlled by medication. The vagus nerve stimulator is a battery-powered device that is surgically implanted under the skin of the chest, much like a pacemaker, and is attached to the vagus nerve in the lower neck. This device delivers short bursts of electrical energy to the brain via the vagus nerve.
On average, this stimulation reduces
seizures by about 20 to 40 percent. Patients usually cannot stop taking
epilepsy medication because of the stimulator, but they often experience fewer seizures and they may be able to reduce the dose of their medication.
Side effects of the vagus nerve stimulator are generally mild but may include hoarseness, ear pain, sore throat, or nausea. Adjusting the amount of stimulation can usually eliminate most side effects, although the hoarseness typically persists. The batteries in the vagus nerve stimulator need to be replaced about once every five years; this requires a minor operation that can usually be performed as an outpatient procedure.
Several new devices may become available for
epilepsy in the future. Researchers are studying whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a procedure that uses a strong magnet held outside the head to influence brain activity, may reduce seizures. They also hope to develop implantable devices that can deliver drugs to specific parts of the brain.
Treatment for Medical Conditions
In cases where seizures are caused by a brain tumor,
hydrocephalus, or other conditions that can be treated with surgery, doctors may operate to treat these underlying conditions. In many cases, once the underlying condition is successfully treated, a person's seizures will disappear as well.
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