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The effects of vagus nerve stimulation on cognitive performance in patients with treatment-resistant depression.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Sackeim, HA; Keilp, JG; Rush, AJ; George, MS; Marangell, LB; Dormer, JS; Burt, T; Lisanby, SH; Husain, M; Cullum, CM; Oliver, N; Zboyan, H
Published in: Neuropsychiatry Neuropsychol Behav Neurol
January 2001

BACKGROUND: Chronic vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is effective in the management of treatment-resistant epilepsy. Open-trial evidence suggests that VNS has clinically significant antidepressant effects in some individuals who experience treatment-resistant major depressive episodes. However, limited information regarding the effects of VNS on neurocognitive performance exists. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to determine whether VNS leads to neurocognitive deterioration. METHOD: A neuropsychological battery was administered to 27 patients with treatment-resistant depression before and after 10 weeks of VNS. Thirteen neurocognitive tests sampled the domains of motor speed, psychomotor function, language, attention, memory, and executive function. RESULTS: No evidence of deterioration in any neurocognitive measure was detected. Relative to baseline, improvement in motor speed (finger tapping), psychomotor function (digit-symbol test), language (verbal fluency), and executive functions (logical reasoning, working memory, response inhibition, or impulsiveness) was found. For some measures, improved neurocognitive performance correlated with the extent of reduction in depressive symptoms, but VNS output current was not related to changes in cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS: Vagus nerve stimulation in treatment-resistant depression may result in enhanced neurocognitive function, primarily among patients who show clinical improvement. Controlled investigation is needed to rule out the contribution of practice effects.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Neuropsychiatry Neuropsychol Behav Neurol

ISSN

0894-878X

Publication Date

January 2001

Volume

14

Issue

1

Start / End Page

53 / 62

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Vagus Nerve
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Recurrence
  • Psychiatry
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Electric Stimulation
 

Citation

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Sackeim, H. A., Keilp, J. G., Rush, A. J., George, M. S., Marangell, L. B., Dormer, J. S., … Zboyan, H. (2001). The effects of vagus nerve stimulation on cognitive performance in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Neuropsychiatry Neuropsychol Behav Neurol, 14(1), 53–62.
Sackeim, H. A., J. G. Keilp, A. J. Rush, M. S. George, L. B. Marangell, J. S. Dormer, T. Burt, et al. “The effects of vagus nerve stimulation on cognitive performance in patients with treatment-resistant depression.Neuropsychiatry Neuropsychol Behav Neurol 14, no. 1 (January 2001): 53–62.
Sackeim HA, Keilp JG, Rush AJ, George MS, Marangell LB, Dormer JS, et al. The effects of vagus nerve stimulation on cognitive performance in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Neuropsychiatry Neuropsychol Behav Neurol. 2001 Jan;14(1):53–62.
Sackeim, H. A., et al. “The effects of vagus nerve stimulation on cognitive performance in patients with treatment-resistant depression.Neuropsychiatry Neuropsychol Behav Neurol, vol. 14, no. 1, Jan. 2001, pp. 53–62.
Sackeim HA, Keilp JG, Rush AJ, George MS, Marangell LB, Dormer JS, Burt T, Lisanby SH, Husain M, Cullum CM, Oliver N, Zboyan H. The effects of vagus nerve stimulation on cognitive performance in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Neuropsychiatry Neuropsychol Behav Neurol. 2001 Jan;14(1):53–62.

Published In

Neuropsychiatry Neuropsychol Behav Neurol

ISSN

0894-878X

Publication Date

January 2001

Volume

14

Issue

1

Start / End Page

53 / 62

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Vagus Nerve
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Recurrence
  • Psychiatry
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Electric Stimulation