Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) and Treatment-Resistant Depression.
The RECOVER trial utilized VNS for TRD over two years.
A 52-week, double-blind phase was followed by a 104-week extension.
Active VNS yielded 27.4% remission vs. 12.3% with sham at 52 weeks.
After 104 weeks, remission reached 45%, with a 67% response rate.
VNS reduces IL-6 and TNF-α, and upregulates hippocampal BDNF.
VNS enhances synaptic plasticity and improves HRV.