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Vagus nerve stimulation for treatment of epilepsy in
Rett syndrome.
Baylor College of Medicine,
Pediatric Neurology, Houston, Texas, USA.
This case series presents the outcomes
of seven
females with Rett syndrome and medically refractory epilepsy who were
treated with adjunctive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy for a
minimum of 12 months. Patients ranged in age from 1 to 14 years (median
age 9y) at the time of implantation, had experienced seizures for a
median period of approximately 6 years, and had failed at least two
trials of antiepileptic drugs before receiving VNS. The median number
of seizures per month was 150 (range 12-3600). At 12 months, six
females had >/=50% reduction in seizure frequency. VNS was safe and
well tolerated, with no surgical complications and no patients
requiring explantation of the device. Quality of life outcomes of note
among these patients included reports at 12 months of increased
alertness among all seven patients. No change in mood or communication
abilities was noted.
PMID: 16836782 [PubMed - in process]
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