Mood disorders: vagus nerve stimulation: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Mood disorders: vagus nerve stimulation

Sample item

Which neuromodulation method uses a surgically implanted pulse generator in the chest wall, wired to the left vagus nerve in the neck, and is approved for treatment-resistant depression?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Vagus nerve stimulation

Vagus nerve stimulation uses an implanted generator in the chest wall wired to the left vagus nerve and has been approved for chronic treatment-resistant depression. Its effect builds slowly over months. Side effects include hoarseness and cough.

Option by option

  • A. Electroconvulsive therapy

    ECT is delivered through scalp electrodes under anaesthesia without implantation.

  • B. Vagus nerve stimulation (correct)

    Correct. VNS involves an implanted generator wired to the left vagus nerve.

  • C. Transcranial direct current stimulation of the spine

    Spinal tDCS is not an approved depression therapy.

  • D. Deep brain stimulation of the cerebellum

    Cerebellar deep brain stimulation is not an established depression treatment.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Vagus nerve stimulation. Vagus nerve stimulation uses an implanted generator in the chest wall wired to the left vagus nerve and has been approved for chronic treatment-resistant depression.

Why is "Electroconvulsive therapy" not the answer?

ECT is delivered through scalp electrodes under anaesthesia without implantation.

Why is "Transcranial direct current stimulation of the spine" not the answer?

Spinal tDCS is not an approved depression therapy.

Why is "Deep brain stimulation of the cerebellum" not the answer?

Cerebellar deep brain stimulation is not an established depression treatment.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders: vagus nerve stimulation in Psychiatry. Its effect builds slowly over months. Side effects include hoarseness and cough.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Mood disorders: vagus nerve stimulation?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.