Left vagal nerve stimulation in six patients with hypothalamic hamartomas

Six patients with medically refractory epilepsy secondary to hypothalamic h amartomas were treated with intermittent stimulation of the left vagal nerv e. Three of the patients had remarkable improvements in seizure control. Fo ur of these six patients had severe autistic behaviors. Striking improvemen ts in these behaviors were observed in all four during treatment with inter mittent stimulation. This finding suggests that vagal nerve stimulation can control seizures and autistic behaviors in patients with hypothalamic hama rtomas. (C) 2000 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.