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
To explore how VNS is applied in specific contexts, please also see:
Ormond Neuroscience Web Pages
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (Overview) – a general discussion of the benefits and mechanisms of VNS
- VNS and Neuroplasticity – how neuromodulation supports learning and recovery.
- VNS and Mood & Autonomic Regulation – how brain–body regulation shapes emotional states.
- VNS for Stroke and Brain Injury Rehabilitation – how neuromodulation facilitates recovery after stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumours and related conditions.
- VNS for Autonomic Dysfunction and Stress-Related Conditions (in development).
- VNS for Epilepsy – how VNS helps to reduce the frequency and severity of epileptic seizures.
Interviews & Recordings of Digby discussing the neuroscience of VNS
The groundbreaking potential of vagal nerve stimulation
A recording of a TedX talk delivered to TEDxJohannesburg. They describe themselves as “A community of curious, open-minded people who care deeply about celebrating local ideas, and sharing them with the world. Everyday we look for remarkable people doing great work. We give them a platform and amplify their ideas. We believe that their ideas, delivered at our sought-after events, and distributed via video on the web, will change the world.”
“Digby Ormond-Brown reveals the transformative power of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). From post-traumatic stress disorder to stroke rehabilitation, Ormond-Brown shares poignant stories showcasing VNS’s versatility. Delving into the scientific underpinnings, he connects VNS to neuroplasticity and the vagus nerve’s role in healing. With eloquence, he discusses the revolutionary impact of VNS on diverse conditions, cautioning about the need for controlled application. Ormond-Brown paints a compelling vision of a future where VNS orchestrates a neural symphony, unlocking the brain’s potential for recovery. This talk promises to inspire and illuminate the extraordinary possibilities within our own minds.”
Waxing Clinical – Vagal Nerve Stimulation: Neuromodulation for mind-brain health
This webinar was hosted by the Netcare Group as part of their regular medical education programme, Waxing Clinical, which is aimed at healthcare professionals. This hour-long session discusses some basic principles of brain function and then focuses on the treatment of mood disorders using vagus nerve stimulation. To elucidate how VNS works, specific information regarding the mechanism of action and underlying neurophysiology of VNS are discussed. This is a technical but eye-opening discussion of noteworthy findings in the neurosciences in the field of VNS.
(Hint: Fast forward to the 5 minute mark to avoid the waiting period while people were logging on.)
A holistic approach to brain health
Medical Academic, publisher of medical journals and webinars, hosted a live presentation with Digby. While the presentation is behind a paywall, they published a written interview.
“In this far-reaching interview, neuropsychologist Digby Ormond-Brown explores vagus nerve stimulation’s role in treating epilepsy and anxiety, emphasizing its integration within broader brain health strategies. He discusses the gut-brain axis’ impact on neurodegeneration and shares groundbreaking results in cognitive rehabilitation, revealing how multimodal interventions can potentially reverse Alzheimer’s progression.”
Cognitive Decline, Dementia, & Neuroplasticity
Longevity Magazine hosted a talk with Digby about VNS, especially in the context of age-related cognitive decline. Here’s a summary as a written interview.
“There’s new hope for people with declining or impaired brain function, dementia, and cognitive decline thanks to a new novel, non-invasive treatment and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). This medically administered therapy boosts neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganise and heal itself. Specialist neuropsychologist Digby Ormond-Brown explains how to repair the brain, build neuroplasticity, and achieve longevity.”
If you would like to know more, please get in touch.
