Vagal and deep neurostimulation in refractory epilepsy: a scoping review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34024/rnc.2024.v32.15666Keywords:
Deep brain stimulation, Vagus nerve stimulation, Refractory epilepsyAbstract
Objective. This scoping review aims to compare the effectiveness and collateral and adverse effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) techniques in the treatment of refractory epilepsy. Method. The research question drawn from the Population/Patient/Problem, Intervention, Control/Comparison, Outcome (PICO) methodology guided the search in the BVS, SciELO and MEDLINE/PubMed databases. Results. 164 articles were identified, but only 7 of them were included. Neurostimulation techniques were analyzed for their effectiveness based on the percentage of reduction in convulsive crisis over a period of time, being analyzed in isolation, combined, or comparing them with each other. In both techniques, the percentage of effectiveness increases over time. Furthermore, although their combined use is apparently not harmful, there is not enough evidence to support that such application provides better results. Finally, it was noted that, although the effectiveness appears to be greater in DBS, more studies are still needed to confirm this statement. Conclusions. Although VNS is associated with fewer side effects, ECP tends to be more effective in reducing epileptic seizures in cases of refractory epilepsy. The choice between these approaches must be personalized, considering the individual needs of patients and the risks associated with each technique.
Metrics
References
Benbadis SR, Geller E, Ryvlin P, Schachter S, Wheless J, Doyle W, et al. Putting it all together: Options for intractable epilepsy: An updated algorithm on the use of epilepsy surgery and neurostimulation. Epilepsy Behav 2018;88S:33-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.05.030
Parisi V, Lundstrom BN, Kerezoudis P, Alcala Zermeno JL, Worrell GA, Van Gompel JJ. Anterior Nucleus of the Thalamus Deep Brain Stimulation with Concomitant Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy. Neurosurgery 2021;89:686-94. https://doi.org/10.1093/neuros/nyab253
Alcala-Zermeno JL, Gregg NM, Starnes K, Mandrekar JN, Van Gompel JJ, Miller K, et al. Invasive neuromodulation for epilepsy: Comparison of multiple approaches from a single center. Epilepsy Behav 2022;137:108951. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108951
Zhu J, Wang X, Xu C, Zhang X, Qiao L, Zhang X, et al. Comparison of efficiency between VNS and ANT-DBS therapy in drug-resistant epilepsy: A one year follow up study. J Clin Neurosci 2021;90:112-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2021.05.046
Tricco AC, Lillie E, Zarin W, O’Brien KK, Colquhoun H, Levac D, et al. PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation. Ann Intern Med 2018;169:467-73. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-0850
Park HR, Choi SJ, Joo EY, Seo DW, Hong SB, Lee JI, et al. The Role of Anterior Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation as an Alternative Therapy in Patients with Previously Failed Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Refractory Epilepsy. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 2019;97:176-82. https://doi.org/10.1159/000502344
Cukiert A, Cukiert CM, Burattini JA, Guimaraes RB. Combined Neuromodulation (Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Deep Brain Stimulation) in Patients With Refractory Generalized Epilepsy: An Observational Study. Neuromodulation J Int Neuromodulation Soc 2022;S1094-7159(22)01224-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurom.2022.08.449
Miron G, Strauss I, Fried I, Fahoum F. Anterior thalamic deep brain stimulation in epilepsy patients refractory to vagus nerve stimulation: A single center observational study. Epilepsy Behav Rep 2022;20:100563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebr.2022.100563
Sobstyl M, Konopko M, Sienkiewicz-Jarosz H, Kurkowska-Jastrzębska I, Nagańska E, Stapińska-Syniec A, et al. Clinical efficacy and safety of anterior thalamic deep brain stimulation for intractable drug resistant epilepsy. Epilepsy Res 2023;195:107199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2023.107199
Bullinger KL, Alwaki A, Gross RE. Surgical Treatment of Drug-Resistant Generalized Epilepsy. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2022;22:459-65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-022-01210-w
Doddamani RS, Agrawal M, Samala R, Ramanujam B, Chandra PS, Tripathi M. Vagal Nerve Stimulation in the Management of Epilepsy - Recent Concepts. Neurol India 2020;68(Suppl):S259-67. https://doi.org/10.4103/0028-3886.302475
Ryvlin P, Jehi LE. Neuromodulation for Refractory Epilepsy. Epilepsy Curr 2022;22:11-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/15357597211065587
Ryvlin P, Rheims S, Hirsch LJ, Sokolov A, Jehi L. Neuromodulation in epilepsy: state-of-the-art approved therapies. Lancet Neurol 2021;20:1038-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(21)00300-8
Touma L, Dansereau B, Chan AY, Jetté N, Kwon CS, Braun KPJ, et al. Neurostimulation in people with drug-resistant epilepsy: Systematic review and meta-analysis from the ILAE Surgical Therapies Commission. Epilepsia 2022;63:1314-29. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.17243
Klinger N, Mittal S. Deep brain stimulation for seizure control in drug-resistant epilepsy. Neurosurg Focus 2018;45:E4. https://doi.org/10.3171/2018.4.FOCUS1872
Caccavella VM, Giordano M, Colicchio G, Izzo A, D’Ercole M, Rapisarda A, et al. Palliative Surgery for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in Adult Patients. A Systematic Review of the Literature and a Pooled Analysis of Outcomes. World Neurosurg 2022;163:132-40.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2022.03.058
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Lívia Barbosa Cavalcanti, Caio César Leite Martins, Giovanna Rodrigues Lira, Helena Alessandrine Santiago Quintino, João Pedro de Almeida Roque Lisboa, Lays Sthefany Siqueira da Costa, Brícia Maia Leite Dantas, Ludmila Belo Ramos da Silva, Hugo Rafael de Souza e Silva

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
Accepted 2024-01-12
Published 2024-01-18
