Can vagus nerve stimulation help prevent seizures?

Vagus nerve stimulation can help reduce seizures in some people, says Gayatri Devi, MD, director of New York Memory and Healthy Aging Services, though how it works isn't known. Watch this video to learn more.

Transcript

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The vagus nerves are two nerves that run down on either side of your neck and they innervate all of the internal organs in your body.

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[MUSIC PLAYING]

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Yes, there are several studies to show that vagus nerve stimulation can help to prevent seizures and help

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to treat epilepsy in conjunction with medication. However, vagus nerve stimulation is usually

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used only after medication in and of itself is not effective or completely effective.

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And the vagus nerves are two nerves that run down on either side of your neck and they innervate all of the internal organs in your body.

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And vagus nerve stimulators are devices that are placed so that they stimulate the vagus nerve as it

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goes back into your brain and helps to reduce the risk for seizures. No one's really sure why they are effective.

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But there is no question that in a group of patients, vagus nerve stimulation is helpful in helping

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to treat epilepsy. [AUDIO LOGO]