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Study to Investigate Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Augment Executive Function in Healthy and Cognitively Impaired Populations

Investigation of Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Augment Executive Functioning

Who can join

Ages 18 to 65 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals aged 18-65.
2. Ability to sign informed consent.
3. Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
4. For the PD group, a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease without severe motor or cognitive impairments.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current uncontrolled and/or clinically significant medical condition.
2. Abnormal ear anatomy or active ear infection.
3. Electronic medical implants, such as pacemakers, cochlear prosthesis, neuro-stimulators.
4. Uncorrected visual impairments that would interfere with task performance.

(6) Other significant diseases or disorders that might impair study participation.

About the study

This study plans to learn more about how stimulating the vagus nerve through gentle electrical stimulation applied to the ear can affect decision-making, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities. This process, called transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), could help improve brain function in both healthy individuals and people with Parkinson's disease (PD).

What is being tested

• transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (device)
• sham stimulation (device)

Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver · Participants: 80 · Started: May 19, 2025

Contact the study team

• Elise R Carter · Phone: 3094335932

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07424365

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Mild Cognitive Impairment
• Parkinson's Disease

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