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Transcutane nervus vagusstimulatie voor aandacht en geheugen (taVNS)

1 oktober 2026 bijgewerkt door: Ricardo Jorge, MD, Baylor College of Medicine

TRANSCUTANE AURICULAIRE VAGUSZENUW STIMULATIE-EFFECTEN op AANDACHT en WERKGEHEUGEN: een PILOTSTUDIE

This clinical trial aims to evaluate whether transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), a non-invasive brain stimulation method, can improve attention and memory in veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and depression and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study seeks to answer two main questions:

  1. Can active taVNS improve attention and memory compared to sham (placebo) stimulation?
  2. Does taVNS affect heart rate variability (HRV)?

taVNS delivers a gentle electrical current to the vagus nerve through electrodes placed on the ear, targeting brain areas involved in attention and memory without requiring surgery.

This study uses a crossover design, meaning all participants will experience two sessions: one with active taVNS and one with sham stimulation. The sham session feels similar but does not deliver actual stimulation, allowing researchers to compare the two and understand taVNS's effects on the brain.

In a single visit, participants will:

  • Complete eligibility screening (questionnaires and vital signs).
  • Undergo two sessions (one active and one sham), randomly assigned.
  • Perform attention tasks before and after each session.
  • Have their heart rate monitored during the sessions.

The findings will help determine whether taVNS could be an effective treatment for improving attention and memory in veterans with TBI.

Studie Overzicht

Toestand

Nog niet aan het werven

Conditie

Interventie / Behandeling

Gedetailleerde beschrijving

Attention and memory problems are common in veterans with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), particularly when accompanied by depression and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Current treatments for these issues often have limited effectiveness or unwanted side effects. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive technique that uses gentle electrical impulses delivered through electrodes placed on the ear. This stimulation targets the vagus nerve, which plays a key role in regulating brain areas involved in attention and memory. By enhancing the activity of these brain regions, taVNS shows potential as a novel treatment option for improving cognitive functions like attention and memory.

In this study, researchers aim to determine whether taVNS can enhance attention and memory in veterans with TBI. Participants will complete a single study visit lasting 2.5 to 3 hours. The visit includes two taVNS sessions, one active and one sham (placebo), to compare their effects. Sham stimulation mimics the sensation of taVNS but does not deliver electrical current to the vagus nerve. This design allows researchers to isolate the specific effects of taVNS.

Procedures:

  1. Screening (40 minutes):

    Participants will begin by completing questionnaires about their medical history, memory concerns, alcohol and substance use, mood, and demographics. Vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature) will also be measured to confirm eligibility.

  2. Session 1 (approximately 40 minutes):

    Participants will complete a computer-based attention task that involves responding to specific visual cues on a screen. This task takes about 10 minutes. taVNS will then be delivered using electrodes placed on the left ear. For this session, participants will either receive active stimulation or sham stimulation, randomly assigned. The stimulation lasts 20 minutes. After the stimulation, participants will repeat the attention task to assess changes in performance.

  3. Break:

    Participants will have a short break between sessions, during which they can rest or engage in light activities.

  4. Session 2 (approximately 40 minutes):

The same sequence of procedures will be repeated, but participants will receive the alternate type of stimulation (active or sham) in this session. The order of active and sham stimulation is randomly assigned, and participants will not know which session is delivered first.

Throughout both sessions, participants' heart rate variability (HRV) will be monitored using a lightweight chest device. HRV provides insights into how the body responds to stimulation and helps evaluate taVNS's physiological effects.

Studietype

Ingrijpend

Inschrijving (Geschat)

30

Fase

  • Niet toepasbaar

Contacten en locaties

In dit gedeelte vindt u de contactgegevens van degenen die het onderzoek uitvoeren en informatie over waar dit onderzoek wordt uitgevoerd.

Studiecontact

Studie Locaties

  • Verenigde Staten
    • Texas
      • Houston, Texas, Verenigde Staten, 77030
        • Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
        • Hoofdonderzoeker:
          • Ricardo Jorge, MD
        • Hoofdonderzoeker:
          • Principal Investigator
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Contact:

Deelname Criteria

Onderzoekers zoeken naar mensen die aan een bepaalde beschrijving voldoen, de zogenaamde geschiktheidscriteria. Enkele voorbeelden van deze criteria zijn iemands algemene gezondheidstoestand of eerdere behandelingen.

Geschiktheidscriteria

Leeftijden die in aanmerking komen voor studie

25 jaar tot 64 jaar (Volwassen)

Accepteert gezonde vrijwilligers

Nee

Geslachten die in aanmerking komen voor studie

Allemaal

Beschrijving

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

Studie plan

Dit gedeelte bevat details van het studieplan, inclusief hoe de studie is opgezet en wat de studie meet.

Hoe is de studie opgezet?

Ontwerpdetails

  • Primair doel: Behandeling
  • Toewijzing: Gerandomiseerd
  • Interventioneel model: Crossover-opdracht
  • Masker: Enkel

Wapens en interventies

Deelnemersgroep / Arm
Interventie / Behandeling
Actieve vergelijker: taVNS active stimulation

Participants will receive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) using electrodes placed on the left ear. A low-level electrical current will be delivered to stimulate the vagus nerve. This stimulation is designed to activate brain areas involved in attention and memory.
Ander: Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation for attention in veterans with TBI

taVNS does not require surgery or medication, offering a safe and accessible treatment option. Each participant undergoes both an active taVNS session and a sham (placebo) session. Sham stimulation mimics the sensory experience of taVNS but does not deliver electrical currents to the vagus nerve, ensuring blinding and providing robust comparisons. The study is completed in a single visit lasting 2.5 to 3 hours, minimizing participant burden.

Apparaat: Soterix Medical Vagus Nerve Stimulation mini-CT

Soterix Medical min-CT VNS device is used for non-invasive stimulation procedures and trials. It has blinding features such as single-blind for this study in which patients will either receive active or shame taVNS.
Sham-vergelijker: Sham (Placebo) taVNS

Participants will undergo sham stimulation, where electrodes are placed on the left ear to mimic the experience of active taVNS. However, no electrical current will be delivered to the vagus nerve. This sham condition enables a direct comparison with active taVNS, ensuring that any observed changes in working memory and attention can be attributed to the taVNS intervention.
Ander: Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation for attention in veterans with TBI

taVNS does not require surgery or medication, offering a safe and accessible treatment option. Each participant undergoes both an active taVNS session and a sham (placebo) session. Sham stimulation mimics the sensory experience of taVNS but does not deliver electrical currents to the vagus nerve, ensuring blinding and providing robust comparisons. The study is completed in a single visit lasting 2.5 to 3 hours, minimizing participant burden.

Apparaat: Soterix Medical Vagus Nerve Stimulation mini-CT

Soterix Medical min-CT VNS device is used for non-invasive stimulation procedures and trials. It has blinding features such as single-blind for this study in which patients will either receive active or shame taVNS.

Wat meet het onderzoek?

Primaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Attention and working memory
Tijdsspanne: One day, one visit

Aim 1:

To evaluate the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on sustained attention and working memory. Attention and memory performance will be assessed using the Gradual Onset Continuous Performance Task (gradCPT), a validated computerized test that measures the ability to sustain attention and respond selectively to relevant stimuli. This cognitive test measures sustained attention and inhibitory control. During the test, subjects view a continuous stream of gradually fading images of cities and mountains on a computer screen. They are instructed to press the space bar when they see a city (target stimulus) and withhold responses when they see a mountain (non-target stimulus). Key performance metrics which collectively assess attention and working memory in this test include mean reaction time (response speed), omission errors (failure to respond to targets), and commission errors (responses to non-targets).
One day, one visit

Secundaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Heart-rate variability
Tijdsspanne: One day, one visit

Aim 2: To investigate the effects of taVNS on heart rate variability (HRV), an indicator of autonomic nervous system activity. HRV will be measured in milliseconds using a lightweight, wearable chest device capable of capturing continuous heart rate data. Key HRV metrics, including standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), will be analyzed before, during, and after active and sham taVNS sessions to assess physiological responses to stimulation.
One day, one visit

Medewerkers en onderzoekers

Hier vindt u mensen en organisaties die betrokken zijn bij dit onderzoek.

Sponsor

Baylor College of Medicine

Medewerkers

Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

Publicaties en nuttige links

De persoon die verantwoordelijk is voor het invoeren van informatie over het onderzoek stelt deze publicaties vrijwillig ter beschikking. Dit kan gaan over alles wat met het onderzoek te maken heeft.

Algemene publicaties

Studie record data

Deze datums volgen de voortgang van het onderzoeksdossier en de samenvatting van de ingediende resultaten bij ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieverslagen en gerapporteerde resultaten worden beoordeeld door de National Library of Medicine (NLM) om er zeker van te zijn dat ze voldoen aan specifieke kwaliteitscontrolenormen voordat ze op de openbare website worden geplaatst.

Bestudeer belangrijke data

Studie start (Geschat)

1 december 2026

Primaire voltooiing (Geschat)

1 juli 2027

Studie voltooiing (Geschat)

1 augustus 2027

Studieregistratiedata

Eerst ingediend

4 december 2024

Eerst ingediend dat voldeed aan de QC-criteria

4 december 2024

Eerst geplaatst (Werkelijk)

9 december 2024

Updates van studierecords

Laatste update geplaatst (Werkelijk)

5 oktober 2026

Laatste update ingediend die voldeed aan QC-criteria

1 oktober 2026

Laatst geverifieerd

1 oktober 2026

Meer informatie

Termen gerelateerd aan deze studie

Trefwoorden

Aanvullende relevante MeSH-voorwaarden

Andere studie-ID-nummers

  • H-56468

Plan Individuele Deelnemersgegevens (IPD)

Bent u van plan om gegevens van individuele deelnemers (IPD) te delen?

NEE

Beschrijving IPD-plan

Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because this is an exploratory, feasibility trial designed to assess the potential effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). As a pilot study, the primary goal is to evaluate the intervention's feasibility and gather preliminary data, rather than generate findings intended for broader generalization. To protect participant privacy and confidentiality, all data will be reported in aggregate form without identifying individual participants, in accordance with ethical guidelines and institutional policies.

Informatie over medicijnen en apparaten, studiedocumenten

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd geneesmiddel

Nee

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd apparaatproduct

Ja

product vervaardigd in en geëxporteerd uit de V.S.

Nee

Deze informatie is zonder wijzigingen rechtstreeks van de website clinicaltrials.gov gehaald. Als u verzoeken heeft om uw onderzoeksgegevens te wijzigen, te verwijderen of bij te werken, neem dan contact op met register@clinicaltrials.gov. Zodra er een wijziging wordt doorgevoerd op clinicaltrials.gov, wordt deze ook automatisch bijgewerkt op onze website .

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