NIMH » Brain Stimulation Therapies | 合法醫療器材資訊網

Otherstimulationtherapiesdiscussedherevagusnervestimulation,repetitivetranscranialmagneticstimulation,magneticseizuretherapy,anddeepbrain ...

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) works through a device implanted under the skin that sends electrical pulses through the left vagus nerve, half of a prominent pair of nerves that run from the brainstem through the neck and down to each side of the chest and abdomen. The vagus nerves carry messages from the brain to the bodys major organs (e.g. heart, lungs and intestines) and to areas of the brain that control mood, sleep, and other functions.

VNS was originally developed as a treatment for epilepsy. However, scientists noticed that it also had favorable effects on mood, especially depressive symptoms. Using brain scans, scientists found that the device affected areas of the brain that are involved in mood regulation. The pulses appeared to alter the levels of certain neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) associated with mood, including serotonin, norepinephrine, GAB...