Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Treatment Refractory Depression: re-emergence of a promising treatment

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• Prof Charles Conway, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
• Thursday 16 December 2021, 12:30-13:30
• Webinar (via Zoom online).

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Chair: Prof Ed Bullmore

Abstract

Since the early 2000’s, several clinical trials have demonstrated that chronic stimulation of the left cervical vagus nerve (referred to as “vagus nerve stimulation” [VNS]) leads to antidepressant response in a significant subset of patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This talk will review the history of use of VNS in TRD , the clinical trials VNS data to present, a brief review of the anatomy of the afferent vagus nerve, and brain imaging studies measuring the effects of VNS in TRD . Discussion will also include present and future directions of research of VNS in TRD .

Biography Charles Conway is a Professor of Psychiatry and clinician-researcher at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. His research and clinical focus has been on refractory mood disorders, most critically, treatment-resistant depression (TRD). In this capacity, he currently heads up numerous studies that attempt to better understand the biological and neurophysiological basis of TRD , as well as to examine the impact of various novel treatments, ultimately aiming to improve outcomes for individuals suffering with this virulent form of major depressive disorder. One of the primary areas of his investigation is the use of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) for TRD . Since 2005, he has participated in all major VNS TRD trials in the US, and currently serves as the lead investigator of the large, multicenter, double-blind, RECOVER VNS trial. For more information on Prof Conway, please visit: https://psychiatry.wustl.edu/people/charles-conway-md/

This talk is part of the Department of Psychiatry & CPFT Thursday Lunchtime Seminar Series series.

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