Less seizures - more from life.
Treat drug-resistant epilepsy with tVNS®
Epilepsy
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An epileptic seizure is a clinical condition that occurs when the normal activity of the brain is disrupted by the temporary abnormal electrical activity in the nerve cells. Epilepsy is the recurrence of epileptic seizures and is considered a chronic disease. While anticonvulsants are commonly prescribed, many epileptic patients are resistant to drug therapy.
Treatment Options for Drug Resistant Epilepsy
Epilepsy Surgery
There are two methods of neurosurgery: removal of the brain region that causes seizures and surgical cutting of the neural pathways that cause seizures to spread. However, since these methods are only suitable for focal epilepsies, only a small proportion of epilepsy patients are suitable for this invasive procedure.
In deep brain stimulation, electrodes are implanted in the brain. These electrodes are attached to a battery operated stimulator that is usually placed under the patient’s collarbone. Epileptic activity can be specifically affected at the baseline through current stimuli.
Deep Brain Stimulation
Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation
In some patients, a treatment called “vagus nerve stimulation”, also known as brain pacemaker surgery, can be applied. With a surgical intervention, a battery is placed under the chest and an electrode wire is placed in the vagus nerve in the neck. With the help of the electrode, the vagus nerve is stimulated at regular intervals, which may reduce seizures.
Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation
The tVNS® auricular vagus nerve stimulation device is a treatment option that provides vagus nerve stimulation through the ear with a smartphone-sized device and a special headset without any surgical intervention. From there, as with invasive vagus nerve stimulation, higher centers of the brain are activated, triggering an anticonvulsant effect.
How does tVNS® treat epilepsy?
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In transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation, mild electrical impulses are given to the cymba concha region in the outer auricle through a special ear electrode. These stimuli activate the vagus nerve, which passes directly under the skin in this region (auricular branch of the vagus nerve). The nerve first transmits these impuleses to the Nucleus Tractus Solitarius in the brain stem and are transmitted to many different regions of the diencephalon (midbrain) and cerebrum. These stimuli are also transmitted to the Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline) center, the Locus Coeruleus, and Serotonin center, the Dorsal Raphe nucleus. These transmitters affect one’s clarity, energy, and confidence. These 2 centers send these neurotransmitters to the entire brain, specifically to the parts that control thinking and feeling. more serotonin and norepinephrine are then sent to the Prefrontal Cortex and are inhibited in the Hippocampus and Anterior Thalamus regions, which reduces anxiety and panic. This mechanism causes the frequency or severity of seizures to be reduced or stopped entirely.
tVNS has helped hundreds of patients suffering from epilepsy to reduce or completely eliminate their seizures and lead a more self-determined life, without the need for surgery.
“It’s wonderful that with tVNS® I have found a therapy option that makes me feel better without needing surgery.”​
Katja S. from Munich
