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Review papers on VNS research

July 13, 2011 6 Comments

Quick post for today, I was watching my newborn move his arms in a circle for what seems like hours at a time in a non-sensical fashion.   I know that his motor circuitry is developing, but I am surprised at how little progress he is making.   Then I remembered how many hours I spent trying to learn how to throw a baseball…I believe that it is becoming clear from our clinical research that we won’t have a “cure” within 10 days like we had in our rat model.  But with an permanently implantable device (we are using a percutaneous lead now that has to be removed within 30 days) we could keep the tinnitus under control for the long term.  I’m happy to answer questions on the research, just post in the comments section and I will do my best to address…

I can’t post directly from the scientific journals, but here are the recent peer-reviewed papers discussing some of the VNS research. 

1.       Lozano AM. Harnessing plasticity to reset dysfunctional neurons. N Engl J Med. 364:1367-8 (2011).

2.       Schnupp J. Auditory neuroscience: how to stop tinnitus by buzzing the vagus. Curr Biol. 21:263-5 (2011).

3.       Talan L. Vagus Nerve Stimulation Helps Resolve Tinnitus in Rats – Clinical Trials to Follow. Neurology Today. 11:12-14 (2011).

4.       Bliss TVP, Cooke SF. Long-term potentiation and long-term depression: a clinical perspective. Clinics, 66:3-17 (2011).

5.       Arns M, De Ridder D. Neurofeedback 2.0?. Journal of Neurotherapy, 15:91:93 (2011).

6.       Mikell C, Sisti MB, McKhann GM II. Reversing Pathological Neural Activity Using Targeted Plasticity. Neurosurgery, 68:18-19 (2011).

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  • Nina

    Will,  you stated above that  you wont have a cure within ten days like in the rat model, but with a permanant implant you could keep tinnitus under control for the long term.  Does this mean that a permenant implant will elinimate the tinnitus long term  or what exactly do you mean when you say “keep the tinnitus under control” (reduce, eliminate, cure)???

  • Mathieu

    Good afternoon Will,
    I have several questions concerning the trials for VNS paired with tones, let get straight if we can- the first one is related to the one that @bd5c8864f70d28eeab6642456e0cf923:disqus asked what do you mean by “under control”? (I guess “silence” but under the use of a device each week or something, I’m pretty sure a lot a people will be willing for this even though I do not have the result of your survey)
    - Did the people (that did the trials) are using a temporary implantable device ? What is the outcome of this ? Did tinnitus was “under control” (I guess maintained to silence) for the 30 days of it ?
    - Do you have a permanent implantable device in development ? If yes, do you think you will start a trials with it (if yes, how could we apply for it)?
    - Maybe seen the result of the current trials, it is not a cure found within 10 days but do you think it could be release in the market in the next 4/5 years ?
            – If yes, What would be the main constraint of the use of this device ? Would it be something feasable at home with a remote device or  at the clinic?
            – If No, I am curious to know the reason, is this a question of money ? Or about our abilities to do so ?

    Thank you for your time to answer those question,
    Good luck,

    • Will Rosellini

      H Mathieu,

      1. Under control means a patient has a 40 to 50% reduction in the tinnitus handicap inventory…this is based on the peer reviewed literature available and consensus among tinnitus experts.
      2. We are developing a permanent implant to maintain the effects we see over the first 30 days.
      3. Development times could be sped up if we enter strategic relationships with bigger companies who have existing devices, be on the lookout for press releases like this…

  • guy

    I am afraid your responses to poster comments are invisible for some reason, Will.

    • Anonymous

      Hi guy, thanks for pointing this out…I’ve been talking to myself for the past couple of days.

  • Rothmanmom

    Just trying to keep myself updated. I have severe tinnitus & am willing to do whatever it takes to
    alleviate this horrible ringing. I am willing to travel overseas if needed for treatment. Please keep those of us searching for relief hopeful!!

    Karen