Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Patients with Epilepsy

Abstract

approved as an adjunctive therapy for patients with intractable epilepsy in 1999 and has been covered by National Health Insurance in Korea since 2005. VNS is a particularly good option for patients with intractable epilepsy who are not eligible for epilepsy surgery or patients with a high drug load or nonadherence to anticonvulsants. The effect of seizure re-duction by VNS tends to gradually increase in proportion to the duration of treatment. Common side effects are usually mild and transient, including voice change, paresthesia in the neck or throat, and cough. The role of VNS is expected to expand in the future as a substantial proportion of patients show better quality of life with improvements in cognition, language, and behavior, as well as seizure reduction.