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RM1 Project 2 - tAN fMRI

Determining the Independent and Synergistic Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation (tAN) on Direct Brain Activation in Healthy Individuals

Who can join

Ages 18 to 65 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18-65
* Have the capacity and ability to provide one's own consent and sign the informed consent document

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contraindicated for MRI.
* Any current or recent untreated medical, neurological, or psychiatric conditions
* Metal implant devices in the head, heart or neck.
* History of brain surgery.
* History of myocardial infarction or arrhythmia, bradycardia.
* Personal or family history of seizure or epilepsy or personal use of medications that substantially reduce seizure threshold (e.g., olanzapine, chlorpromazine, lithium).
* Personal history of head injury, concussion, or self-report of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.
* Individuals suffering from frequent/severe headaches.
* Individuals with a reported history of psychosis or mania, or individuals who are actively manic or psychotic.
* Moderate to severe alcohol or substance use disorder.
* Pregnancy

About the study

In this one-visit, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial, we plan to use a novel concurrent transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tAN) paradigm during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm in 96 individuals to determine whether tAN administered to two cranial nerves simultaneously produces greater neurophysiologic effects than stimulating solely to the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN) or the auriculotemporal nerve (ATN; branch of trigeminal nerve) alone. Within the MRI scanner, each participant will be connected to a series of electrodes that stimulate 4 targets (ABVN only, ATN only, ABVN plus ATN, and Sham).

What is being tested

• Transcutaneous Auricular Neruostimulation (tAN) (device)

Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina · Participants: 96 · Started: Mar 17, 2023

Contact the study team

• Bashar Badran, PhD · Phone: 843-792-6076

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05487664

Locations in the U.S.

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.