Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) for Depression

What is Vagus Nerve Stimulation, or VNS?

Vagus Nerve Stimulation, or VNS, is a long-term mental health therapy used to treat chronic or recurrent depression for patients 18 years of age or older who are experiencing a major depressive episode and have not had an adequate response to four or more adequate antidepressant treatments.

How Does MUSC Health Use VNS?

MUSC Health implements VNS therapy to treat chronic or recurring depression. This treatment consists of an implanted pacemaker-like device call a pulse generator. A thin thread-like wire, attached to the generator, runs under the skin to the left vagus nerve in the neck. The pulse generator delivers mild, intermittently pulsed signals to the patient’s left vagus nerve, which then activates various areas of the brain. Roughly the size of a small pocket watch, and weighing less than one ounce, the pulse generator is implanted in the patient’s left chest area.

The treatment typically takes approximately one to two hours. Although the VNS Therapy surgical procedure does not involve the brain, stimulation to the left vagus nerve has been shown to induce widespread bilateral effects in areas of the brain implicated in seizures and mood disorders and is responsible for modulation of key neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine.

Using an external dose adjustment system, the stimulation duration, frequency, and intensity can be adjusted.

Billing and Insurance for VNS

Currently, most health insurance companies do not cover the procedure for depression treatment.