Research Paper
Long-term efficacy and safety of vagus nerve stimulation in treatment-resistant depression: A systematic review
Journal of Affective Disorders2/1/2026·02/01/26🌐 Europe
Summary
This systematic review of 10 cohort studies and 8 case series found that VNS provided sustained therapeutic benefits for treatment-resistant depression over 2+ years. Response rates ranged from 28-57% in larger cohorts, with voice alteration as the most common side effect and rare treatment-emergent mania.
Why it matters
Long-term data on VNS for depression has been limited. This review confirms VNS as a viable long-term option for chronic or recurrent depression that does not improve with other treatments, supporting its role in the therapeutic algorithm for highly treatment-resistant patients.
#Depression#Mental Health Tech#Neurostimulation#Neural Interfaces
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