EEG Changes and DNA Markers Related to taVNS in Stroke Patients: a Preliminary Study
EEG Changes and DNA Markers Related to Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) in Acute Stroke Patients: a Preliminary Study
Who can join
Ages 18 to 80 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * First-time Cerebrovascular Accident (Ischemic or Hemorrhagic) * Within a month post-injury * Presence of motor impairments (FMA-U≤62) Exclusion Criteria: * Advanced cardiac, pulmonary, liver, or kidney disease * Bradycardia (Resting HR \< 60) * Presence of Apraxia, Aphasia or confusion * Other musculoskeletal or neurologic diseases that could interfere with the outcome measures * Previous surgical intervention on the vagus nerve * Participation in other clinical trials * Alcohol or drug abuse
About the study
In the United States, more than 795,000 people have a stroke every year. Motor impairment after a stroke is common and can be debilitating. To date, there remain few treatments available to help improve motor recovery after a stroke, making this an important area of research. Novel use of neuromodulation such as Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) has been shown to improve motor recovery in stroke patients. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), in which the nerve is stimulated with electrical pulses, has demonstrated success for a variety of conditions, including inflammation, depression, cognitive dysfunction, chronic fatigue, headaches/migraines, pain, insomnia, and cardiovascular issues. Very recently, non-invasive options have been developed and might be a promising alternative. The research in this area is still very limited and much more research is needed to investigate non-invasive/trancutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) related biomechanisms and to further support its efficacy in acute patients. The purpose of this study is to build upon the current research to investigate changes in electrical brain activity (using electrophysiology) and genetic markers related to improvements in both motor and cognitive recovery following the use of taVNS vs. sham in acute stroke patients.
What is being tested
- Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (device)
Sponsor: Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare · Participants: 44 · Started: Jan 29, 2024
Contact the study team
- Caroline Schnakers, PhD · Phone: (909)596-7733
- Niko Fullmer, BS · Phone: (909)596-7733
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06226493
Locations in the U.S.
| California | Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare, Pomona |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.