Not sure if it is intended or not but after the 2nd use of Nerve Staple on a single target it begins to heal them (first cast causes damage). Nothing is modded or changed on my end.
What version of the game? Are you using the beta DLC? Or 1.0.10? And do you have RotDG? Steam, Desura, or Gamefly?
It's intended, although it shouldn't be healing them. Might be the combination of the resist bonus that Nerve Staple gives you and poor magic allotment... so it never does that much damage and can heal.