Glossary

Adjunctive. Additional, add-on. Used to describe a treatment used at the same time as other treatments. VNS Therapy is adjunctive therapy—it is added on to other antidepressant treatments.

Chronic. Long-lasting. Chronic depression refers to an episode of depression lasting 2 years or more.

Clinical studies. Tests of the effectiveness and safety of a treatment on people who have the illness the treatment is intended to help.

Depression. An illness characterized by sadness or low mood, lack of interest in things usually enjoyed, loss of energy, changes in sleep patterns, changes in appetite or weight, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, restlessness or lethargy, and repeated thoughts of death or suicide. See major depressive disorder.

Depressive episode. A period of depression. See major depressive disorder.

Electrodes: Part of the VNS Therapy system that connects to the vagus nerve.

General anesthesia. Anesthesia that makes the patient unconscious.

Major depressive disorder. A disease characterized by sadness or low mood, lack of interest in things usually enjoyed, loss of energy, changes in sleep patterns, changes in appetite or weight, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, restlessness or lethargy, and repeated thoughts of death or suicide. At least 5 of these symptoms (including at least 1 of the first 2) most or all of every day for at least 2 weeks is required for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder.

Neurotransmitter. A naturally occurring chemical that affects nerve and/or brain function.

Norepinephrine. A neurotransmitter implicated in depression.

Pulse generator. A device-like a pacemaker that sends impulses to the brain via the left vagus nerve.

Recurrent. Happening more than once. Recurrent depression refers to several episodes of depression occurring over time.

Serotonin. A neurotransmitter implicated in depression.

Vagus nerve. One of the primary communication pathways from the major organs of the body to the brain, the vagus nerves travel from major body organs to the brain. VNS Therapy involves the left vagus nerve only.

VNS Therapy. Vagus nerve stimulation, a unique new treatment approach now available specifically for chronic or recurrent depression.