Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Attention and Memory (NCT06723743) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Attention and Memory
United States30 participantsStarted 2026-08
Plain-language summary
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.
Who can participate
Age range
25 Years – 64 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
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
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.