Behandling af epilepsi ved stimulation af nervus vagus

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder, and between one fourth and one third of the patients do not obtain seizure freedom after treatment with antiepileptic drugs. If the epileptic seizures in such patients have severe consequences, the patients should be assessed for epilepsy surgery. In case epilepsy surgery is not feasible, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) should be offered. VNS seems to have an effect in all epilepsy syndromes and seizure types. VNS is generally well-tolerated, and may even improve mood and quality of life. Many more epilepsy patients in Denmark should be offered VNS.