Effects of vagus nerve stimulation on serum cytokines and neurotransmitters in epilepsy patients with depression / 中国医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effect of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on serum cytokines and neurotransmitters in epilepsy patients with depression.Methods:From March 2015 to 2018, 13 patients with epilepsy combined with depression undergoing VNS surgery in Brain Hospital of Hunan Province were selected as the research objects. The surgical efficacy, depression degree, serum cytokines and neurotransmitter changes before operation, 6 months and 12 months after operation were compared.Results:The effective rate of epilepsy treatment at 6 and 12 months after VNS were 61.5%(8/13) and 76.9%(10/13), respectively. After 6 months and 12 months, Hamiton Depression scale (HAMD) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) scores were significantly lower than those before operation ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). At 6 months after operation, serum 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) level was significantly higher than that before operation, while serum interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF- α) were significantly lower than those before operation ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). At 12 months after operation, 5-HT and dopamine (DA) were significantly increased, while IL-1 α, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF -α were significantly decreased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions:VNS may can improve epilepsy and depression by regulating the level of neurotransmitter and serum cytokines.