Vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy: A review of central mechanisms

In a previous paper, the anatomy and physiology of the vagus nerve was discussed in an attempt to explain which vagus nerve fibers and branches are affected by clinically relevant electrical stimulation. This companion paper presents some of vagus nerve stimulation's putative central nervous system mechanisms of action by summarizing known anatomical projections of vagal afferents and their effects on brain biogenic amine pathways and seizure expression.

• Publication year

  2012

• Venue

  Surgical neurology international

• Publication date

  2012-10-31

• Fields of study

  Medicine

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.4103/2152-7806.103015PMID 23230530PMCID 3514919
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

• Vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy: A review of the peripheral mechanisms

  2012cited by this paper
• Increased hippocampal noradrenaline is a biomarker for efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation in a limbic seizure model

  2011cited by this paper
• Optimization of vagus nerve stimulation parameters using the firing activity of serotonin neurons in the rat dorsal raphe.

  2009cited by this paper
• Vagus nerve stimulation increases norepinephrine concentration and the gene expression of BDNF and bFGF in the rat brain.

  2007cited by this paper
• Effect of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Serotonergic and Noradrenergic Transmission

  2006influential reference
• Increased extracellular concentrations of norepinephrine in cortex and hippocampus following vagus nerve stimulation in the rat.

  2006cited by this paper
• Recordings from the rat locus coeruleus during acute vagal nerve stimulation in the anaesthetised rat.

  2005cited by this paper
• The effects of peripheral vagal nerve stimulation at a memory-modulating intensity on norepinephrine output in the basolateral amygdala.

  2004cited by this paper
• The role of norepinephrine in epilepsy: from the bench to the bedside.

  2004cited by this paper
• Vagus nerve stimulation and drug reduction.

  2001cited by this paper
• Prospective Long‐Term Study of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Refractory Seizures

  2000cited by this paper
• Efferent projections of the nucleus of the solitary tract to peri‐locus coeruleus dendrites in rat brain: Evidence for a monosynaptic pathway

  1999cited by this paper
• Long-term treatment with vagus nerve stimulation in patients with refractory epilepsy. The Vagus Nerve Stimulation Study Group E01-E05.

  1999cited by this paper
• Locus Coeruleus Lesions Suppress the Seizure‐Attenuating Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation

  1998cited by this paper
• Vagus nerve stimulation therapy for partial-onset seizures

  1998cited by this paper
• Dendrites of locus coeruleus neurons extend preferentially into two pericoerulear zones

  1996cited by this paper
• Effects of vagus nerve stimulation on amino acids and other metabolites in the CSF of patients with partial seizures.

  1995cited by this paper
• A randomized controlled trial of chronic vagus nerve stimulation for treatment of medically intractable seizures

  1995cited by this paper
• Regional induction of fos immunoreactivity in the brain by anticonvulsant stimulation of the vagus nerve.

  1995cited by this paper
• The origin of serotoninergic afferents to the cat's cerebellar nuclei

  1994cited by this paper
• Noradrenergic abnormalities in the genetically epilepsy-prone rat.

  1994cited by this paper
• Ultrastructure and synaptic targets of the raphe-nigral projection in the rat.

  1993cited by this paper
• Organization of medullary adrenergic and noradrenergic projections to the periaqueductal gray matter in the rat

  1992cited by this paper
• Expression of c-fos and NGFI-A messenger RNA in the medulla oblongata of the anaesthetized rat following stimulation of vagal and cardiovascular afferents.

  1992cited by this paper
• Afferent regulation of locus coeruleus neurons: anatomy, physiology and pharmacology.

  1991influential reference
• The projections of locus coeruleus neurons to the spinal cord.

  1991cited by this paper
• [The nucleus tractus solitarius: neuroanatomic, neurochemical and functional aspects].

  1991cited by this paper
• Topographical organization in the origin of serotoninergic projections to different regions of the cat cerebellar cortex

  1991cited by this paper
• Anatomy of the Serotonergic System a

  1990cited by this paper
• Prevention of Intractable Partial Seizures by Intermittent Vagal Stimulation in Humans: Preliminary Results

  1990cited by this paper
• The Role of Neurotransmitters in Electroshock Seizure Models

  1987cited by this paper
• Serotonergic Neuronal Systems: What Their Anatomic Organization Tells Us about Function

  1987cited by this paper
• Monoamines and the Pathophysiology of Seizure Disorders

  1985cited by this paper
• The distribution and origin of serotonin immunoreactivity in the rat cerebellum.

  1985cited by this paper
• On the sacred disease: the neurochemistry of epilepsy.

  1983cited by this paper
• Brainstem projections of sensory and motor components of the vagus nerve in the rat

  1982influential reference
• Neurotransmitter abnormalities as determinants of seizure susceptibility and intensity in the genetic models of epilepsy.

  1981cited by this paper
• The nucleus of the solitary tract in the monkey: Projections to the thalamus and brain stem nuclei

  1980influential reference
• Projections from the nucleus of the solitary tract in the rat.

  1978cited by this paper
• The monoamine innervation of rat cerebral cortex: synaptic and nonsynaptic axon terminals.

  1978cited by this paper
• Anatomical evidence of direct projections from the nucleus of the solitary tract to the hypothalamus, amygdala, and other forebrain structures in the rat.

  1978cited by this paper
• Organization of Catecholamine Neurons in the Rat Central Nervous System

  1978cited by this paper
• Habenular and other midbrain raphe afferents demonstrated by a modified retrograde tracing technique.

  1977cited by this paper
• A study of inputs to antidromically identified neurons of the locus coeruleus.

  1977cited by this paper
• Ascending projections of the locus coeruleus in the rat. II. Autoradiographic study.

  1977cited by this paper
• The role of the neurotransmitters in the epilepsies.

  1975cited by this paper
• Stereotaxic mapping of the monoamine pathways in the rat brain.

  1971cited by this paper
• The Role of Biochemical and Neurohumoral Factors in the Laboratory Evaluation of Antiepileptic Drugs

  1969cited by this paper
• EVIDENCE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF MONOAMINE-CONTAINING NEURONS IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. I. DEMONSTRATION OF MONOAMINES IN THE CELL BODIES OF BRAIN STEM NEURONS.

  1964cited by this paper

• Cortical potentials evoked by stimulation of cervical vagus vs. auricular nerve: a comparative, parametric study in nonhuman primates.

  2026cites this paper
• Cortical potentials evoked by stimulation of cervical vagus vs. auricular nerve: a comparative, parametric study in nonhuman primates

  2025cites this paper
• Intracranial neuromodulation for pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy: early institutional experience

  2025cites this paper
• Vagus nerve stimulation modulates information representation of sustained activity in layer specific manner in the rat auditory cortex

  2025cites this paper
• Pairing extinction training with vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) reduces drug-seeking by altering activity in afferents to the medial prefrontal cortex

  2025cites this paper
• Safety and effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy: a single center experience

  2025cites this paper
• Heart Rate Variability, Microvascular Dysfunction, and Inflammation: Exploring the Potential of taVNS in Managing Heart Failure in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

  2025cites this paper
• Invasive Neurostimulation for the Treatment of Epilepsy

  2025cites this paper
• Development of an Educational Curriculum for Implanting and Managing Vagus Nerve Stimulators for Epilepsy.

  2025cites this paper
• Dynamic changes in comorbid conditions following vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy

  2025cites this paper
• Exploring the interplay between depressive symptoms and seizure outcomes: A single-centre study of drug-resistant epilepsy patients treated with vagus nerve stimulation.

  2025cites this paper
• Optimizing vagus nerve stimulation for Super Refractory Status Epilepticus: A case series and systematic review.

  2025cites this paper
• Biotic‐Abiotic Interface Engineering for Peripheral Nerve Modulation and Repair

  2025cites this paper
• Characterization of vagus nerve active fibers during seizure in rats

  2025cites this paper
• The Duration and Intensity of High Frequency Alternating Current Influences the Degree and Recovery of Nerve Conduction Block

  2024cites this paper
• The role of neuromodulation in the management of drug-resistant epilepsy

  2024cites this paper
• Bioelectronic Medicine: a multidisciplinary roadmap from biophysics to precision therapies

  2024cites this paper
• Locus coeruleus features are linked to vagus nerve stimulation response in drug-resistant epilepsy

  2024cites this paper
• Neuromodulation techniques – From non-invasive brain stimulation to deep brain stimulation

  2024cites this paper
• Transcutaneous Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Changing the Paradigm for Stroke and Atrial Fibrillation Therapies?

  2024cites this paper
• Efficacy and safety of deep brain stimulation in drug resistance epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

  2024cites this paper
• Long-term effects of vagus nerve stimulation on EEG aperiodic components in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy

  2024cites this paper
• Advancements in Dravet Syndrome Therapeutics: A Comprehensive Look at Present and Future Treatment Horizons: A Focused Review

  2024influential citation
• Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy in Epilepsy: An Overview of Technical and Surgical Method, Patient Selection, and Treatment Outcomes

  2024influential citation
• Long-Term Outcome in Adult Patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Submitted to Vagus Nerve Stimulation

  2024cites this paper
• Electroencephalogram synchronization measure as a predictive biomarker of Vagus nerve stimulation response in refractory epilepsy: A retrospective study

  2024cites this paper
• Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation during lower body negative pressure.

  2024cites this paper
• Novel Surgical Approaches in Childhood Epilepsy: Laser, Brain Stimulation, and Focused Ultrasound.

  2024cites this paper
• Neural Field Continuum Limits and the Structure–Function Partitioning of Cognitive–Emotional Brain Networks

  2023cites this paper
• Revision and removal of vagus nerve stimulation systems: twenty-five years’ experience

  2023cites this paper
• Exploration of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment option for adjuvant cancer and heart failure therapy

  2023cites this paper
• Neuromodulation Techniques in Children with Super-Refractory Status Epilepticus

  2023cites this paper
• The Utility of Responsive Neurostimulation for the Treatment of Pediatric Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

  2023cites this paper
• Significant vomiting and weight loss in a pediatric epilepsy patient secondary to vagus nerve stimulation: A case report and review of the literature

  2023cites this paper
• Frequency-specific modulation of oscillatory activity in the rat auditory cortex by vagus nerve stimulation.

  2023cites this paper
• The autonomic and nociceptive response to acute experimental stress is impaired in people with knee osteoarthritis: A preliminary study

  2023cites this paper
• Phasic, Event-Related Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Modifies Behavioral, Pupillary, and Low-Frequency Oscillatory Power Responses

  2023cites this paper
• Intracranial and epicranial focus stimulation—concepts and approval status—English Version

  2023cites this paper
• Neuromodulation in new-onset refractory status epilepticus

  2023cites this paper
• Therapeutic Strategies to Ameliorate Neuronal Damage in Epilepsy by Regulating Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Neuroinflammation

  2023cites this paper
• Modulating motor learning with brain stimulation: Stage-specific perspectives for transcranial and transcutaneous delivery.

  2023cites this paper
• Intrakranielle und epikranielle Fokusstimulation: Konzepte und Zulassungsstatus

  2023cites this paper
• Stimulation du nerf vague pour traiter l’épilepsie et la dépression résistante : vers une physiopathologie commune ?

  2023cites this paper
• Noradrenergic α1, α2, and β1receptors mediate VNS-induced theta oscillations.

  2023cites this paper
• Brain mapping inflammatory-arthritis-related fatigue in the pursuit of novel therapeutics.

  2023cites this paper
• Development of localized interictal epileptiform discharges following vagus nerve stimulation for lennox-gastaut syndrome: a case report

  2022cites this paper
• Vagus nerve stimulator revision in pediatric epilepsy patients: a technical note and case series

  2022cites this paper
• Chronic Setup System for Continuous Monitoring of Epileptic Rats

  2022cites this paper
• Invasive neuromodulation for epilepsy: Comparison of multiple approaches from a single center.

  2022cites this paper
• Beyond Resection: Neuromodulation and Minimally Invasive Epilepsy Surgery.

  2022cites this paper
• Epilepsy‐associated death in the Southwestern Ontario: A clinicopathological correlation study

  2022cites this paper
• Vagus nerve stimulation paired with rehabilitation for stroke: Implantation experience from the VNS-REHAB trial.

  2022cites this paper
• Modern Approaches for the Treatment of Heart Failure: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

  2022cites this paper
• Acute Vagus Nerve Stimulation Facilitates Short Term Memory and Cognitive Flexibility in Rats

  2022cites this paper
• Commentary: Understanding the Interoception in Schizophrenia through the Window of Vagus Nerve Stimulation.

  2022cites this paper
• Vagus nerve stimulation for focal seizures.

  2022cites this paper
• Transcutaneous Cervical Vagus Nerve Stimulation Induces Changes in the Electroencephalogram and Heart Rate Variability of Healthy Dogs, a Pilot Study

  2022cites this paper
• Emerging Trends in Neuromodulation for Treatment of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

  2022cites this paper
• The effects of combined respiratory-gated auricular vagal afferent nerve stimulation and mindfulness meditation for chronic low back pain: a pilot study.

  2022cites this paper
• Devices for Episodic Migraine: Past, Present, and Future

  2022cites this paper
• Smart Device-Driven Corticolimbic Plasticity in Cognitive-Emotional Restructuring of Space-Related Neuropsychiatric Disease and Injury

  2022cites this paper
• Analysing vagus nerve spontaneous activity using finite element modelling

  2021cites this paper
• Vagal Neuromodulation in Chronic Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

  2021cites this paper
• Neuromodulation for Intractable Childhood Epilepsy.

  2021cites this paper
• Implantable vagus nerve stimulator settings and short‐term adverse effects in epileptic dogs

  2021cites this paper
• Neuromodulation in Super-refractory Status Epilepticus

  2021cites this paper
• Vagal nerve stimulation: the effect on the brain oscillatory field potential.

  2021cites this paper
• Transcutaneous auricular VNS applied to experimental pain: A paired behavioral and EEG study using thermonociceptive CO2 laser

  2021cites this paper
• Selective Neuromodulation of the Vagus Nerve

  2021cites this paper
• Topical: Smart Theragnostic Cognitive-Emotional Restructuring for Space- Related Neuropsychiatric Disease and Injury

  2021cites this paper
• Is vagal-nerve stimulation safe during pregnancy? A mini review.

  2021cites this paper
• Vagus Nerve Stimulation-Induced Pseudo-Pheochromocytoma.

  2021cites this paper
• Vagus nerve stimulation does not alter brainstem nuclei morphology in patients with refractory epilepsy.

  2021cites this paper
• International Consensus Based Review and Recommendations for Minimum Reporting Standards in Research on Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (Version 2020)

  2021cites this paper
• Challenges in Identifying Medication-Resistant Epilepsy

  2020cites this paper
• Rapid and transient enhancement of thalamic information transmission induced by vagus nerve stimulation

  2020cites this paper
• Emerging treatments for progressive myoclonus epilepsies

  2020cites this paper
• Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Feasibility Trial

  2020cites this paper
• Critical Review of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Challenges for Translation to Clinical Practice

  2020cites this paper
• Airway obstruction during general anaesthesia in a patient with a vagal nerve stimulator

  2020cites this paper
• Atualização em epilepsia

  2020cites this paper
• Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Humans Induces Pupil Dilation and Attenuates Alpha Oscillations

  2020cites this paper
• Modulation of visual processing of food by transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS)

  2020cites this paper
• Mortality and Morbidity of Medication-Resistant Epilepsy

  2020cites this paper
• The Economic Impact of Medication-Resistant Epilepsy

  2020cites this paper
• Autoimmune Causes of Medication-Resistant Epilepsy

  2020cites this paper
• Hippocampal Sclerosis as a Cause of Medication-Resistant Epilepsy

  2020cites this paper
• Medication-Resistant Epilepsy Syndromes in Children

  2020cites this paper
• International League Against Epilepsy’s Definition of Medication-Resistant Epilepsy

  2020cites this paper
• Reproductive Health for Women with Medication-Resistant Epilepsy

  2020cites this paper
• Diet Therapy for Medication-Resistant Epilepsy

  2020cites this paper
• Genetic Causes of Medication-Resistant Epilepsy

  2020cites this paper
• Ablative Surgery for Medication-Resistant Epilepsy

  2020cites this paper
• Neurobiology of Medication-Resistant Epilepsy

  2020cites this paper
• Medication-Resistant Epilepsy in Adults

  2020cites this paper
• Pharmacotherapy for Medication-Resistant Epilepsy

  2020cites this paper
• The Natural History of Epilepsy

  2020cites this paper
• Botanical Treatments for Medication-Resistant Epilepsy

  2020cites this paper
• Approach to the Treatment of Medication-Resistant Epilepsy

  2020cites this paper
• Social Consequences of Medication-Resistant Epilepsy

  2020cites this paper