Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for treatment-resistant depression

Topfer L A, Hailey D
Record ID 32002000296
English, French
Authors' objectives:

To summarise the available evidence on vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for treatment-resistant depression.

Authors' recommendations: - Vagus nerve stimulation, originally used to reduce seizures in epilepsy patients, is now under investigation for treatment-resistant depression. - A device used for vagus nerve stimulation, the NeuroCybernetic Prosthesis (NCP) System, recently received Health Canada approval for use in treatment-resistant depression. It is still considered to be an 'investigational' device for this purpose by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. - Only the results of a small, uncontrolled study have as yet been published in full. Results of a randomized, multi-centre trial should be available early in 2002. - It is not yet clear which patients with major depression will respond to vagus nerve stimulation therapy and whether those who do so will sustain their response. - The cost of the device and the disposable equipment used for implantation are estimated at 15,000 Canadian Dollars. Surgical and follow-up costs will incur additional expenses.
Authors' methods: Overview
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2001
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Canada
MeSH Terms
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy
  • Vagus Nerve
  • Depression
Contact
Organisation Name: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment
Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553, Fax: +1 613 226 5392;
Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca
Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca
Copyright: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.