Vagal neurostimulation (VNS) is used for the treatment of epilepsy and major medical-refractory depression. VNS has neuropsychiatric functions and systemic anti-inflammatory activity. The objective of this study is to measure the clinical efficacy and impact of VNS modulation in depressive patients. Six patients with refractory depression were enrolled. Depression symptoms were assessed with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating, and anxiety symptoms with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Plasmas were harvested prospectively before the implantation of VNS (baseline) and up to 4 years or more after continuous therapy. Forty soluble molecules were measured in the plasma by multiplex assays. Following VNS, the reduction in the mean depression severity score was 59.9% and the response rate was 87%. Anxiety levels were also greatly reduced. IL-7, CXCL8, CCL2, CCL13, CCL17, CCL22, Flt-1 and VEGFc levels were significantly lowered, whereas bFGF levels were increased ( values ranging from 0.004 to 0.02). This exploratory study is the first to focus on the long-term efficacy of VNS and its consequences on inflammatory biomarkers. VNS may modulate inflammation via an increase in blood-brain barrier integrity and a reduction in inflammatory cell recruitment. This opens the door to new pathways involved in the treatment of refractory depression.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10931975PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052679DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

refractory depression
8
depression
7
vns
7
vagus nerve
4
nerve stimulation
4
stimulation modulates
4
modulates inflammation
4
inflammation treatment-resistant
4
treatment-resistant depression
4
depression patients
4

Similar Publications

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social behavior and executive function (EF), particularly in cognitive flexibility. Whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can improve cognitive outcomes in patients with ASD remains an open question. We examined the acute effects of prefrontal TMS on cortical excitability and fluid cognition in individuals with ASD who underwent TMS for refractory major depression.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Psilocybin represents a novel therapeutic approach for individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) who do not respond to conventional antidepressant treatment. Investigating the influence of psilocybin on the pathophysiological processes involved in MDD could enhance our neurobiological understanding of the presumed antidepressant action mechanism. This systematic review aims to summarize the results of human studies investigating changes in blood-based biomarkers of MDD to guide future research on potentially relevant analytes that could be monitored in clinical trials.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

[Psychological assessment of drug-resistant epilepsy patients: affective factors and social support].

Orv Hetil

January 2025

1 Szegedi Tudományegyetem, Bölcsészet és Társadalomtudományi Kar, Pszichológia Intézet, Kognitív- és Neuropszichológia Tanszék Szeged, Egyetem u. 2., 6725 Magyarország.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Chronic inflammation has been linked to many psychiatric disorders, and therefore, pertinent anti-inflammatory therapies have been empirically evaluated for management. An enduring example of long-term safety, attainability, and versatility has been pentoxifylline (PTX). PTX is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor that modulates inflammatory mediators and affects most blood components and the blood vessels.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!