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Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation

Invasive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an approved treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy. Besides its recognised clinical efficacy, there are major drawbacks, such as invasiveness and a great many side effects. Therefore there is a medical demand for transcutaneous VNS (t-VNS®), which combines selective, non-invasive access to vagus nerve afferents with a low risk profile. Both treatments excite thick myelinated fibres of vagus nerve branches that project to the nucleus of the solitary tract in the brainstem. Preclinical data emphasise the equivalent anticonvulsive effects of both methods. Based upon the common mode of action and the first clinical data, the t-VNS device received Conformité Européenne (CE) approval. Besides the approved intended use for drug-resistant epilepsy and depression, a future clinical trial will address the efficacy of t-VNS in chronic pain.