Electrocorticography Analysis in Patients With Dual Neurostimulators Supports Desynchronization as a Mechanism of Action for Acute Vagal Nerve Stimulator Stimulation

Abstract

Our results provide evidence that acute VNS stimulation results in desynchronization of specific frequency bands (salient decrease in theta and beta bands, smaller decrease in alpha band) in ECoGs recorded by the RNS device in patients with dual (VNS and RNS) neurostimulators. This finding offers support for desynchronization as a theorized mechanism of action of VNS. Further research may lead to future improved neurostimulator efficacy by informing optimal stimulation programming parameters.