Vagal nerve stimulation does not unkindle seizures.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate a mechanism of action for the effect of vagal nerve stimulation on reducing seizures in patients with complex partial epilepsy. The hypothesis tested was that vagal nerve stimulation has an antikindling effect on epilepsy. The databases of two large clinical trials (E03, E05) were accessed, and statistical methods were applied using logarithmic transforms and regression analysis. Two parameters--duration of a patient's epilepsy before entering the clinical trial and the patient's seizure density before entering the clinical trial--were used as markers of subsequent seizure control during vagal nerve stimulation. In general, there was not a good fit to the regression lines, and the slope of the lines did not conform to the hypothesis. The hypothesis that vagal nerve stimulation may unkindle epileptic seizures was not supported.

• Authors: R M Dasheiff, T Sandberg, J Thompson, S Arrambide, E03 and E05 Cooperative Study Group
• Journal: Journal of clinical neurophysiology : official publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society (J Clin Neurophysiol) Vol. 18 Issue 1 Pg. 68-74 (Jan 2001) ISSN: 0736-0258 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11290941 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Epilepsy, Complex Partial (therapy)
• Humans
• Kindling, Neurologic (physiology)
• Regression Analysis
• Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (statistics & numerical data)
• Vagus Nerve (physiology)