Safety and efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation in treatment-resistant depression. A systematic review
Abstract
Objective The main objective of this review of the literature was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) by means of systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods A systematic review of the literature was made using the major databases (Medline, Psychological Abstracts, Current Contents), beginning in January 2000 and ending in September 2007. Ninety-eight references were found, but only 18 add-on studies met the required quality criteria and were included in this review. Only one double-blind, randomized study was available and therefore a meta-analysis was not feasible.Results In a majority of the preliminary open studies selected for this review, VNS was associated with a significant reduction of the depressive symptoms (primary outcome: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, HDRS) in the short and long term. Unfortunately, the only double-blind study gave rather inconclusive results. Generally, VNS is reported to be a safe and feasible procedure, despite its invasive nature.Conclusions VNS seems to be an interesting new approach to treating TRD. However, despite the promising results reported mainly in open studies, further clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy in major depression. Moreover, studies on its mechanism of action and cost-effectiveness are also required to better understand and develop VNS therapy for affective disorder.
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Five years later, the stimulation of the vagus nerve for the treatment of refractory depression was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“Five years later, the stimulation of the vagus nerve for the treatment of refractory depression was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (79).”
From Vagus Nerve as Modulator of the Brain–Gut Axis in Psychiatric and Inflammatory Disorders (2018) · cites this paper as [79]
Previous meta-analyses mainly focused on assessing the effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation via surgical implantation for managing major depressive disorder.
“The previous meta-analyses mainly focused on assessing the effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation via surgical implantation for managing major depressive disorder.[25–27]”
From Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in treating major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2018) · cites this paper as [26]
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- Authors
- Daban, C., Martinez-Aran, A., Cruz, N., & Vieta, E.
- Affiliations
- Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (ES)
- Corresponding author
- Vieta, Eduard
- ORCID
- Vieta, Eduard
- Venue
- Journal of Affective Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2008-09
- Volume
- 110
- Issue
- 1-2
- Pages
- 1-15
- ISSN
- 0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2019485942
- Cited by
- 163
- References
- 57
- Citations by year
- 2024: 6 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 14
- FWCI
- 1.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Neurological disorders and treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Keywords
- vagus nerve stimulation, treatment-resistant depression, major depressive disorder, antidepressant efficacy, treatment safety, adjunctive therapy, depressive symptoms, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
- MeSH terms
- Major Depressive Disorder, Electric Stimulation Therapy, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Vagus Nerve, Treatment Outcome
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