Effects of vagus nerve stimulation on symptoms of depression in patients with difficult-to-treat epilepsy.

Purpose: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is well established in the treatment of epilepsy and disorders of depression. The prevalence of depression is high in patients with epilepsy, but still it remains unclear how patients with a comorbidity of epilepsy and symptoms of depression respond to VNS.

Methods: We investigated 59 patients with different subtypes of disorders of depression as a comorbidity of epilepsy, who underwent VNS-surgery.

Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) for Treatment of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial (cMPsE02).

Background: Various brain stimulation techniques are in use to treat epilepsy. These methods usually require surgical implantation procedures. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is a non-invasive technique to stimulate the left auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the ear conch.

Implantation of a new Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy® generator, AspireSR®: considerations and recommendations during implantation and replacement surgery--comparison to a traditional system.

Introduction: The most widely used neuro-stimulation treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy is Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy®. Ictal tachycardia can be an indicator of a seizure and, if monitored, can be used to trigger an additional on-demand stimulation, which may positively influence seizure severity or duration. A new VNS Therapy generator model, AspireSR®, was introduced and approved for CE Mark in February 2014.

Diagnostic workup of patients with acquired von Willebrand syndrome: a retrospective single-centre cohort study.

Background: Diagnosis of acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) remains challenging. Diagnostic algorithms suggest the use of factor VIII (FVIII:C), von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag), ristocetin cofactor (VWF:RCo), and collagen-binding capacity (VWF:CB), but the sensitivity of these and other laboratory tests for the diagnosis of AVWS is unknown.

Objectives: To analyze the capacity of laboratory tests, including point-of-care testing (POCT), for the identification of patients with AVWS.