ABSTRACT
What are the potential mechanisms by
which VNS relieves symptoms of depression?
VNS is relatively unique as a new form of
therapy, so research into this question offers
the opportunity to improve understanding of
the neurobiology of depression as well. This
issue of antidepressant mechanisms is, at first
glance, a very difficult topic. First, there is
incomplete understanding of the pathogenesis
of depression in general. The complex chain
of events that causes depressive episodes is
simply not understood. Second, there is
inadequate information about the
mechanisms of action of all known
antidepressants, despite their use for decades.
