Thalamic hypometabolism in a patient undergoing vagal nerve stimulation seen on F-18 FDG PET imaging

A 31-year-old man with a vagal nerve stimulator for seizure control was noted to have decreased metabolism within the thalamus as visualized by F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). Some investigators think the thalamus plays an important role in the regulation of seizure activity. Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) may reduce thalamic activity, which in turn may reduce seizure activity. However, because the thalamus has diffuse connections throughout the brain, its role in seizure activity is likely complex. Observing decreased thalamic activity during VNS is just 1 small step toward understanding this role.