Autism Therapy: vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)

definition of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS): Medical therapy usually used for certain types of epilepsy and major depression. VNS uses an implanted device that sends electric impulses to the left vagus nerve in the neck using a wire implanted under the skin.

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Lack of Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in Eight Pediatric Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Prospective 2-year Follow-up Study
Epilepsy & Behavior, by Danielsson, S., Viggedal G., Gillberg C., and Olsson I., published in 2008, summarized Mar 13, 2008

Vagus nerve stimulation does not seem to help with autism or epilepsy in children who have both autism and epilepsy.

Between 7 and 42% of people with autism also have epilepsy. Vagus nerve stimulation is sometimes used for people with severe epilepsy who do not respond to drug therapy and who cannot receive epilepsy surgery. Many children with this type of severe epilepsy also have other problems such as autism. This study was designed to see if vagus nerve stimulation is able to help the symptoms of autism in children with autism and epilepsy. The study had only eight children and none of the children had a decreased number of seizures after two years of vagus nerve stimulation.


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Epilepsy

Feb 23, 2007 by Anonymous

Epilepsy has been described as "an excessive and disorderly discharge of cerebral nervous tissue on muscles." Between 30 and 40% of individuals with autism have epilepsy. It can be very stressful for the individual as well as the family. Treatments include: antiepileptic drugs, surgery, vagal nerve stimulation, and a ketogenic diet.


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    • Synonyms for vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) include: vagal nerve stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, VNS
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