Bi-level VNS therapy with different therapy modes at night and daytime improves seizures and quality of life in a patient with drug-resistant epilepsy
Induction or aggravation of sleep apnea is a known side effect of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). We report the case of a 44 year old male with drug-resistant epilepsy and depression who did not experience any seizure reduction after 1 year of VNS but a worsening of depression and daytime sleepiness....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Epilepsy & Behavior Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589986423000515 |
| Summary: | Induction or aggravation of sleep apnea is a known side effect of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). We report the case of a 44 year old male with drug-resistant epilepsy and depression who did not experience any seizure reduction after 1 year of VNS but a worsening of depression and daytime sleepiness. After confirming VNS-associated sleep apnea we started the first bi-level VNS therapy with standard VNS settings during daytime and reduced settings during nighttime. Anti-seizure medication remained unchanged. Within 12 months his seizure frequency was reduced by 90 % and his depression improved, permitting a cessation of his antidepressant medication. The observations made in this case have contributed to the manufacturer of VNS developing new generator models that can automatically provide bi-level VNS. |
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| ISSN: | 2589-9864 |