80 Participants NeededMy employer runs this trial

Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease

ER
Overseen ByElise R Carter
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

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).

Who Is on the Research Team?

CW

Cristin Welle, PhD

Principal Investigator

Dept. of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Inclusion Criteria

I have Parkinson's disease without severe movement or thinking problems.
Ability to sign informed consent
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions
See 1 more

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have any serious or uncontrolled medical conditions right now.
I have an abnormal ear structure or a current ear infection.
Electronic medical implants, such as pacemakers, cochlear prosthesis, neuro-stimulators
See 2 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either active or sham transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for cognitive training

6 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation

How Is the Trial Designed?

4

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Placebo Group

Group I: active stimulation (healthy controls)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: active stimulation (Patients with Parkinson's Disease)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group III: sham stimulation (healthy controls)Placebo Group1 Intervention
Group IV: sham stimulation (patients with Parkinson's Disease)Placebo Group1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Colorado, Denver

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,842
Recruited
3,028,000+