Pre-ictal heart rate variability alterations in focal onset seizures and response to vagus nerve stimulation

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) (VNS Therapy Systems, Livanova, Houston, Texas, USA) is indicated for the treatment of drug resistant epilepsy (DRE) patients who are unsuitable candidates for resective epilepsy surgery. Since 1997, more than 120.000 patients have been implanted worldwide including 30.000 children. The chances of a ≥ 50% seizure reduction range from 25-55% with a tendency for increased seizure control with longer treatment time (1,2). Yet one third of VNS patients do not respond to the treatment and the ongoing search for predictive biomarkers that could differentiate VNS responders from VNS non-responders h as not succeeded in finding a predictive model that can be used on an individual level (3).

Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - February 17, 2021 Category: Neurology Authors: Stephanie H ödl, Elisabeth Olbert, Christoph Mahringer, Walter Struhal, Evelien Carrette, Alfred Meurs, Stefanie Gadeyne, Ine Dauwe, Lut Goossens, Robrecht Raedt, Paul Boon, Kristl Vonck Source Type: research