A pilot study of the teratogenicity of vagus nerve stimulation in a rabbit model.

Background: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is approved for the adjunctive treatment of both refractory epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression. This study assessed the effect of VNS on fertility, teratogenicity, and neonatal morbidity in rabbits.

Methods: Ten female New Zealand white rabbits (test animals) were implanted with the VNS device.