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- Title
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Modulates Inflammation in Treatment-Resistant Depression Patients: A Pilot Study.
- Authors
Lespérance, Paul; Desbeaumes Jodoin, Véronique; Drouin, David; Racicot, Frédéric; Miron, Jean-Philippe; Longpré-Poirier, Christophe; Fournier-Gosselin, Marie-Pierre; Thebault, Paméla; Lapointe, Réjean; Arbour, Nathalie; Cailhier, Jean-François
- Abstract
Vagal neurostimulation (VNS) is used for the treatment of epilepsy and major medical-refractory depression. VNS has neuropsychiatric functions and systemic anti-inflammatory activity. The objective of this study is to measure the clinical efficacy and impact of VNS modulation in depressive patients. Six patients with refractory depression were enrolled. Depression symptoms were assessed with the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating, and anxiety symptoms with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Plasmas were harvested prospectively before the implantation of VNS (baseline) and up to 4 years or more after continuous therapy. Forty soluble molecules were measured in the plasma by multiplex assays. Following VNS, the reduction in the mean depression severity score was 59.9% and the response rate was 87%. Anxiety levels were also greatly reduced. IL-7, CXCL8, CCL2, CCL13, CCL17, CCL22, Flt-1 and VEGFc levels were significantly lowered, whereas bFGF levels were increased (p values ranging from 0.004 to 0.02). This exploratory study is the first to focus on the long-term efficacy of VNS and its consequences on inflammatory biomarkers. VNS may modulate inflammation via an increase in blood–brain barrier integrity and a reduction in inflammatory cell recruitment. This opens the door to new pathways involved in the treatment of refractory depression.
- Subjects
VAGUS nerve stimulation; VAGUS nerve; MENTAL depression; BLOOD-brain barrier; PILOT projects; ANTI-inflammatory agents
- Publication
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024, Vol 25, Issue 5, p2679
- ISSN
1661-6596
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/ijms25052679