Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Description

This study effects the effects of transcutaneous cervical vagal nerve stimulation (tcVNS) or a sham control on brain, physiology, and PTSD symptoms in Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Veterans undergo brain imaging and physiological measures in conjunction with traumatic scripts before and after three months of twice daily treatment with tcVNS or sham stimulation at home.

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

This study effects the effects of transcutaneous cervical vagal nerve stimulation (tcVNS) or a sham control on brain, physiology, and PTSD symptoms in Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Veterans undergo brain imaging and physiological measures in conjunction with traumatic scripts before and after three months of twice daily treatment with tcVNS or sham stimulation at home.

Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Condition
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
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 between the ages of 18 and 75 will be included with a diagnosis of PTSD based on DSM-5 criteria
  • * a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) based on VA Criteria
  • * moderate or greater TBI
  • * positive pregnancy test
  • * meningitis or other neurological disorder
  • * alcohol or substance abuse use disorder based on DSM-5 criteria within the past 12 months
  • * current or lifetime history of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar I disorder, anorexia nervosa or bulimia, based on DSM-5
  • * active suicidal ideation with a plan
  • * a history of serious medical or neurological illness, such as cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, neurologic or other systemic illness that would preclude participation based on clinical judgment of the PI
  • * active opiate or benzodiazepine treatment
  • * history of structural abnormality on brain MRI or CT if one has been performed in the past

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 75 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

2026-09-15