Vagus Nerve Stimulation Reduces Seizures and Migraines in Patients

Source: Frontiers in neurology

Summary

In this study, researchers looked at the effects of a treatment called transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on patients who have both epilepsy and migraine. They included 40 patients in the study, dividing them into two groups: one group received the real taVNS treatment, while the other group received a fake treatment that did not have any active effects. The researchers assessed the patients' conditions at the beginning of the study and again after 24 weeks.

The key findings showed that patients who received the real taVNS treatment experienced a significant decrease in both the number of migraine attacks and seizures over the 24 weeks. Additionally, their anxiety and depression levels improved, and their overall quality of life scores increased. The study also found changes in brain activity, measured by EEG, indicating that taVNS had an effect on brain function in these patients.

These results are important because they suggest that taVNS could be a helpful treatment option for people dealing with both epilepsy and migraine, potentially improving their daily lives. However, it is essential to note that this study had a small number of participants, and more research is needed to confirm these findings and understand how taVNS works in different patients.

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