Condition: Healthy Participants · Sponsor: University of Nottingham
The Vagus nerve, one of 12 cranial nerves that connect the brain to the human body, controls specific involuntary functions such as breathing, heart rate, the digestive system and the immune system, and it is crucial to unlocking the relaxation response (parasympathetic nervous system). Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can be invasive or non-invasive, and both methods have been trialled in research studies. Some non-invasive VNS involves the use of a device which is placed on the skin, to send electrical impulses to the Vagus nerve. The device sends electrical impulses to some areas of the brain which changes brain activity and helps in treating certain disorders. Invasive methods utilise a surgically implanted Vagus nerve stimulator on the left Vagus nerve in the neck area. VNS is used in treatment of epilepsy and studies has shown to have a therapeutic effect on treatment resistant depression. Currently, research indicates that invasive VNS to treat anxiety yield mixed results, whilst other studies suggest that VNS with exposure-based therapies might enhance outcomes for anxiety patients. Stimulating the Vagus nerve comes with serious technical challenges. Most importantly, electric currents follow the path of least resistance. When running through biological tissues, such as skin, cartilage or bone, it is difficult to aim for the part of the body that needs to be stimulated. This means it isn't always easy to tell whether the Vagus nerve is indeed being stimulated and how …
This description comes directly from the study's public registry record.
Alicia Falcon-Caro, PhD · +44 7502043643 · Alicia.falconcaro@nottingham.ac.uk
Stefanos A Kontogouris, MSc · +44 7826221912 · stefanos.kontogouris@nottingham.ac.uk
Always discuss trial participation with your own doctor first.
| Neuromodulation Lab, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre | Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom | Recruiting |
| University of Nottingham | Nottingham, United Kingdom | Not Yet Recruiting |
Get one email when the public record changes — results posted, or the study's status changes. Nothing else, ever.
We email about this public record only. Unsubscribe anytime with one click. Never medical advice.
This page is independently generated by Eichor from the public ClinicalTrials.gov record and re-synced daily. It is not the sponsor's official website unless claimed. Nothing here is medical advice; eligibility is always determined by the study team — talk to your own doctor first.
Source record: clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07283913