Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Attention and Memory

Launched by BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · Dec 4, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new way to help veterans who have experienced traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and are also dealing with depression or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The researchers want to find out if a method called transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can improve attention and memory. This is a non-invasive procedure that sends a gentle electrical current to the vagus nerve through electrodes placed on the ear, which targets areas of the brain involved in attention and memory without any surgery. The trial will compare the effects of active taVNS with a sham (placebo) stimulation to see if there is a real benefit.

To participate in the study, individuals need to be veterans aged 25 to 64 who have been deployed in recent military conflicts and have a history of mild TBI along with PTSD or depression. Participants will have two sessions during a single visit: one with the active stimulation and one with the sham stimulation, and they will be randomly assigned to each session. During these sessions, they will complete attention tasks and have their heart rate monitored. Importantly, the trial is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to understand if taVNS could be a new treatment to help improve attention and memory for veterans facing these challenges.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Ages 25-64
• • Right-handedness
• • Veterans with a history of deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation New Dawn (OND) or other post 9/11 war on terrorism
• • History of PTSD and/or depression
• • Military related mild traumatic brain injury
• • If taking psychotropic medication, demonstrate stability for 3 months
• • If taking stimulants, washout period of 12 hours
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of neurological, cardiovascular, or pulmonary disease
• • Cardiac arrhythmia (all types)
• • Active suicidal ideation
• • Visible wounds on skin of the left ear
• • Medical implants such as cardiac defibrillators, pacemakers, or deep brain stimulators
• • Pregnancy
• • Completed taVNS in the past 4 weeks
• • Current substance use disorder (exception: mild cannabis use disorder allowed)
• • Current moderate or severe alcohol use disorder
• • Major cognitive disorder