Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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It has been suggested that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) may enhance attention and working memory. The neuromodulator effects of VNS are thought to activate the release of neurotransmitters involving cognition and to promote neuronal plasticity. Therefore, VNS has been studied for its effects on attention and working memory impairment in neuropsychiatric disorders. ⋯ This review suggests that, although we identified some positive results from eligible studies, there is insufficient good-quality evidence to establish VNS as an effective intervention to enhance attention and working memory in persons with neuropsychiatric disorders. Further studies assessing the efficacy of such intervention are needed.
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It has been suggested that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) may enhance attention and working memory. The neuromodulator effects of VNS are thought to activate the release of neurotransmitters involving cognition and to promote neuronal plasticity. Therefore, VNS has been studied for its effects on attention and working memory impairment in neuropsychiatric disorders. ⋯ This review suggests that, although we identified some positive results from eligible studies, there is insufficient good-quality evidence to establish VNS as an effective intervention to enhance attention and working memory in persons with neuropsychiatric disorders. Further studies assessing the efficacy of such intervention are needed.
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Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Neuropsychological assessment contributes to DBS treatment in several ways: it monitors the cognitive safety of the treatment, identifies beneficial or detrimental cognitive side effects, and it could aid to explain variability in treatment outcome, and possibly the treatment's working mechanism(s). ⋯ Although individual studies generally do not report cognitive deterioration after DBS for OCD, the variability of study designs and the multitude of cognitive measures used precluded a meta-analysis to confirm its safety and recognition of a cognitive pattern through which the efficacy of DBS for OCD might be explained. In the future, prospective studies should preferably include a standardized neuropsychological assessment battery specifically addressing executive functioning and have a longer-term follow-up in order to demonstrate the cognitive safety of the procedure. Such prospective and more uniform data collection may also contribute to our understanding of the working mechanisms of DBS in OCD.
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Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Neuropsychological assessment contributes to DBS treatment in several ways: it monitors the cognitive safety of the treatment, identifies beneficial or detrimental cognitive side effects, and it could aid to explain variability in treatment outcome, and possibly the treatment's working mechanism(s). ⋯ Although individual studies generally do not report cognitive deterioration after DBS for OCD, the variability of study designs and the multitude of cognitive measures used precluded a meta-analysis to confirm its safety and recognition of a cognitive pattern through which the efficacy of DBS for OCD might be explained. In the future, prospective studies should preferably include a standardized neuropsychological assessment battery specifically addressing executive functioning and have a longer-term follow-up in order to demonstrate the cognitive safety of the procedure. Such prospective and more uniform data collection may also contribute to our understanding of the working mechanisms of DBS in OCD.
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Review
Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subgenual Cingulate Cortex for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain.
Despite converging basic scientific and clinical evidence of the link between chronic pain and depression, existing therapies do not often take advantage of this overlap. Here, we provide a critical review of the literature that highlights the intersection in brain networks between chronic low back pain (CLBP) and depression and discuss findings from previous deep brain stimulation (DBS) studies for pain. Based on a multidimensional model of pain processing and the connectivity of the subgenual cingulate cortex (SCC) with areas that are implicated in both CLBP and depression, we propose a novel approach to the treatment of CLBP using DBS of the SCC. ⋯ CLBP and depression share a common underlying brain network interconnected by the SCC. Current data and novel technology provide an optimal opportunity to develop clinically effective trials of SCC DBS for CLBP.