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VNS

·June 13, 2025·7 min read

ECT Cuts Suicide Risk by 34% in Severe Depression

A new meta-analysis reveals that Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) reduces suicide risk by 34% and all-cause mortality by 30% in individuals with severe depression. The study, which pooled data from 26 high-quality studies, compared nearly 18,000 patients treated with ECT to over 25,000 who received standard care. ECT also modestly reduced suicidal thoughts, showing broader health benefits beyond mental health. While newer therapies like rTMS and VNS showed some promise, the evidence was too limited to draw firm conclusions.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Pain

·May 26, 2020·5 min read

Novel electric impulses relieve the pain

Researchers have developed a new, sophisticated device that delivers vagus nerve stimulation to help treat chronic pain.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 3, 2020·3 min read

Earbud-like nerve stimulator shows promise for relieving indigestion

For the 15% of American adults who suffer from frequent indigestion or functional dyspepsia, a new, non-invasive treatment may provide some relief. Respiratory-gated Auricular Vagal Afferent Nerve Stimulation (RAVANS), a form of taVNS, delivers short pulses of painless electrical current to the vagus nerve in tune with respiratory rhythms. The device can modulate the stomach's response to food ingestion, which is often impaired in those with functional dyspepsia.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·January 28, 2020·4 min read

Non-invasive electrostimulation leads to improved memory

Non-invasive auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (atVNS), applied to an accessible area of the ear, improves memory in mouse models of intellectual disability.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 17, 2019·3 min read

Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation shows promise for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation reduces inflammation and improves symptoms for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The simulation technique helps inhibit the production of cytokines and reduces inflammatory response.

Featured Neurology

·March 28, 2018·6 min read

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Boosts Post-Stroke Motor Skill Recovery

Vagus nerve stimulation coupled with physical therapy following a stroke can significantly help to boost motor skill recovery, researchers report.

Image shows the increased connectivity following VNS.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 25, 2017·4 min read

After 15 Years in a Vegetative State, Nerve Stimulation Restores Consciousness

Researchers have been able to restore consciousness to a patient who has been in a vegetative state for 15 years. The groundbreaking study utilized vagus nerve stimulation to help restore consciousness to the patient.