An implantable medical device (IMD) to treat a medical condition in a patient comprises an electrical signal generator a cathode and an anode operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator and a cranial nerve of the patient and a third electrode operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator and implanted within the patients body wherein the electrical signal generator is capable of generating and delivering at least one electrical signal effective at the anode to block at least a sufficient portion of action potentials induced by the at least one electrical signal in the cranial nerve proximate the cathode to reduce a side effect of said induced action potentials.
