At Ormond Neuroscience, we’ve been using vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) with our patients for a few years. It has turned out to be an effective treatment that benefits patients with a range of different brain-related conditions. These include stroke, traumatic brain injury and other conditions that have caused damage to brain tissue. Moreover, VNS is helpful for patients who are suffering from depression, high levels of anxiety, mood swings, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Additionally, we have had impressive success damping epileptic seizures in drug-resistant patients. Likewise, patients with atrial fibrillation have benefitted. Furthermore, VNS has benefits for memory and cognitive functioning, which is useful in older patients with mild cogntivie impairment or those in the early stages of dementia. Scientific research shows that VNS is also useful for:
- Chronic pain
- Some inflammatory conditions
- Long Covid
- Migraine
- Freezing gait in Parkinson’s disease
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
- Tinnitus
- Vertigo
We seldom use VNS in isolation. Instead, it is typically a component of a broader brain health and rehabilitation that we call Neuroharmonics.
Learn More
If you’ve wondered about the terminology, “vagus” is a noun referring to the nerve itself, whereas “vagal” is an adjective referring to things related to the nerve, such as vagal pathways, vagal modulation, or the commonly used (but strictly incorrect) phrase “vagal nerve stimulation.”
For further information about vagus nerve stimulation and its clinical applications, please see the following pages:
Ormond Neuroscience Web Pages
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (Overview) — general principles and mechanisms
- VNS and Neuroplasticity — how neuromodulation supports learning and recovery
- VNS and Mood & Autonomic Regulation — the role of brain–body regulation in emotional states
- VNS for Stroke and Brain Injury Rehabilitation — application in neurological recovery
- VNS for Epilepsy — clinical use in seizure disorders
- VNS for Autonomic Dysfunction and Stress-Related Conditions (in development).
Talks and Interviews
For those interested in a deeper exploration of the neuroscience and clinical application of VNS, the following talks and interviews provide additional context:
- The Groundbreaking Potential of Vagal Nerve Stimulation. A TEDxJohannesburg presentation exploring the scientific basis of VNS and its application across conditions such as trauma, stroke, and mood disorders.
- Waxing Clinical – Vagal Nerve Stimulation: Neuromodulation for mind-brain health. A clinically focused session on the Netcare Group platform discussing the neurophysiology of VNS and its use in mood disorders and brain regulation. (Tip: content begins at approximately 5 minutes.)
- A holistic approach to brain health. A discussion of VNS within broader brain health strategies, including its relationship to the gut–brain axis and cognitive decline on the Medical Academic platform.
- Cognitive Decline, Dementia, & Neuroplasticity. An overview of VNS in the context of ageing, cognitive decline, and neuroplasticity for Longevity Magazine.
Get in Touch
If you would like to explore whether vagus nerve stimulation is appropriate for your situation, please get in touch to arrange an interview.
