I am a Pediatric neurologist who treats children with Refractory
epilepsy. I have 7 patients who have been treated with VNS.
Several of them had dramatic improvements in their social
funtion and affect, such that they were able to achieve much
better social function that was limited by their behavior and not
their epilepsy. Refractory depression is a life limiting condition
as well as life threatening. Ignoring the improvements in mood
and function that occur long term with VNS is pseudo-science
used to justify a political and economic agenda. It is a disgrace
for a branch of the federal government.