Vagal Nerve Stimulation in mTBI

Description

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are important conditions for the Veterans Administration (VA) that frequently occur together in combat Veterans from the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. In many Veterans these become chronic, raising the risk the burden of neurotrauma can worsen over time. This study will examine a new intervention called non-invasive Vagal Nerve Stimulation (nVNS) and its effects on memory and symptoms of PTSD and mTBI as well as brain and physiology in Veterans with mTBI and PTSD.

Conditions

PTSD, mTBI

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are important conditions for the Veterans Administration (VA) that frequently occur together in combat Veterans from the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. In many Veterans these become chronic, raising the risk the burden of neurotrauma can worsen over time. This study will examine a new intervention called non-invasive Vagal Nerve Stimulation (nVNS) and its effects on memory and symptoms of PTSD and mTBI as well as brain and physiology in Veterans with mTBI and PTSD.

Non-Invasive Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Veterans With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)

Vagal Nerve Stimulation in mTBI

Condition
PTSD
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Decatur

Atlanta VA Medical and Rehab Center, Decatur, GA, Decatur, Georgia, United States, 30033-4004

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Veterans with mTBI and PTSD
  • * amnesia for the inciting event lasted longer than 24 hours
  • * Glasgow Coma Scale Score after 30 minutes was less than 13
  • * loss of consciousness more than 30 minutes
  • * positive pregnancy test
  • * meningitis or other neurological disorder other than mTBI
  • * alcohol or substance abuse use disorder based on the SCID within the past 12 months
  • * current or lifetime history of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, anorexia nervosa or bulimia, based on the SCID
  • * active suicidal ideation based on criteria outlined below
  • * a history of serious medical or neurological illness, such as cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, neurologic or other systemic illness
  • * active neuroleptic, opiate, or benzodiazepine treatment
  • * structural abnormality on brain MRI or CT

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

VA Office of Research and Development,

Doug J Bremner, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Atlanta VA Medical and Rehab Center, Decatur, GA

Study Record Dates

2026-01-15