The Vagus Nerve

What is Vagus Nerve Stimulation?

Vagus nerve stimulation has been used as a treatment of epilepsy and depression and may potentially serve as a treatment of bulimia. A vagus nerve stimulator is connected to one of the two vagus nerves entering the brain (there is one for the left and right side of the brain). It is then set to a specific frequency thought to improve treatment. The use of this technique for epilepsy and depression are discussed below while this treatment for bulimia is discussed in depth in the "Vagus Stimulation for Bulimia" subsection "Vagus Nerve Stimulation".

Here is an image of a vagus nerve stimulator – to get an idea of what one looks like.

(Image from http://www.rch.org.au/cep/treatments/index.cfm?doc_id=3245)

Next Subsection:

How does vagus nerve stimulation work?

Other Subsections:

What are cranial nerves?

What is the vagus nerve?

What is vagus nerve stimulation? (top of this page)