Treatment of epilepsy
The vagus nerves branch off from both sides of the brain and travel down the neck, along the esophagus to the heart and intestinal tract. They are the longest nerves in the body, and affect swallowing, speech, intestinal function, and circulation. The vagus nerves also connect to parts of the brain involved in seizures. In some seizure disorders, electrical stimulation of the vagus nerves may relieve symptoms.
Review Date:
12/23/2019
Reviewed By: Amit M. Shelat, DO, FACP, FAAN, Attending Neurologist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Reviewed By: Amit M. Shelat, DO, FACP, FAAN, Attending Neurologist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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