Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) in Treatment-Resistant Depression

This is a multi-site study of vagus nerve stimulation using the NeuroCybernetic Prosthesis (NCP) System in patients with unipolar or bipolar depression who are resistant to standard treatment. 

Read the recent VNS articles from the journal Biological Psychiatry in Adobe Acrobat format:

          Introduction to Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

            VNS in Treatment Refractory Depression

Inclusion Criteria (partial list): 

• Currently diagnosed with a major depressive episode (unipolar or bipolar)
• Chronic depression (greater than 2 years), or greater than 4 episodes
• Failed at least 2 antidepressants in the current episode 
• Age 18 - 80 years old

Exclusion Criteria (partial list): 

• Substance abuse
• Cardiac or neurological diseases
• Because of the nature of the study and the large number of follow-up clinic visits required by the protocol, patients that do not have an established residence nearby a study site will not be considered

For more information:

     Visit the Cyberonics website to locate the nearest site or call 1-888-748-1652.