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Vagal nerve stimulation improves cerebellar tremor and dysphagia in multiple sclerosis

Dipartimento di Scienze Neurologiche e Cardiovascolari, University of Cagliari, Italy

A. Maleci

Dipartimento di Scienze Neurologiche e Cardiovascolari, University of Cagliari, Italy

E. Cocco

Dipartimento di Scienze Neurologiche e Cardiovascolari, University of Cagliari, Italy, Centro Sclerosi Multipla, University of Cagliari, Italy

M. Puligheddu

Dipartimento di Scienze Neurologiche e Cardiovascolari, University of Cagliari, Italy

L. Barberini

Dipartimento di Scienze Neurologiche e Cardiovascolari, University of Cagliari, Italy

M.G. Marrosu

Dipartimento di Scienze Neurologiche e Cardiovascolari, University of Cagliari, Italy, Centro Sclerosi Multipla, University of Cagliari, Italy, gmarrosu{at}unica.it

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), an adjunctive approach for the treatment of epilepsy, was performed in three multiple sclerosis (MS) patients displaying postural cerebellar tremor (PCT) and dysphagia. Following VNS, improvement of PCT and dysphagia was manifested over a period of two and three months, respectively. In view of the involvement of the main brainstem visceral component of the vagus, the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), in modulating central pattern generators (CPGs) linked to both olive complex pathway and swallowing, improvement is likely to be VNS related. The results obtained suggest an additional therapeutic application for VNS and may represent a novel form of treatment in patients with severe MS. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 1200—1202. http://msj.sagepub.com

Key Words: Central Pattern Generators (CPGs) • dysphagia • multiple sclerosis • postural cerebellar tremor • vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)

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This version was published on November 1, 2007

Multiple Sclerosis, Vol. 13, No. 9, 1200-1202 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1352458507078399


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Marrosu, F. Articles by Marrosu, M.G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Marrosu, F. Articles by Marrosu, M.G. Pubmed/NCBI databases Medline Plus Health Information Multiple Sclerosis Swallowing Disorders Tremor Social Bookmarking                         What's this?