TREATMENT OF EPILEPSY BY STIMULATION OF THE VAGUS NERVE

We treated 14 patients with medically refractory partial seizures by s timulation of the vagus nerve in two single-blind pilot studies. Patie nts received stimulation through an implantable, programmable NeuroCyb ernetic Prosthesis, consisting of a pulse generator and a lead-electro de assembly. The mean reduction in seizure frequency after 14 to 35 mo nths of vagal stimulation was 46.6%. Of the 14 patients, five (35.7%) had a 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency. Two patients, one of whom had had 10 to 100 seizures per day before stimulation, have b een seizure-free for over 1 year. Adverse events were primarily limite d to initial hoarseness and a tingling sensation at the electrode site in the neck when the device was activated. Most patients tolerated th e device and stimulation well. There were no permanent adverse events. Some cases of medically refractory partial seizures are improved by v agal stimulation.