Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Anorexia

Overseen By Tom Hildebrandt, PsyD

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, GI disturbance, Schizophrenia, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 4 weeks

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a treatment called vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can help individuals with eating disorders feel more satisfied after meals, consume more calories, and experience less anxiety compared to a sham treatment. The focus is on participants currently in a structured refeeding program who need to gain at least 8 pounds. Ideal candidates are English-speaking individuals aged 14-22 with conditions like anorexia or restrictive eating habits. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research that could lead to new treatments for eating disorders.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that vagus nerve stimulation is safe for anorexia?

Research shows that using a device on the ear to stimulate the vagus nerve is generally safe. Studies have found that this method can influence brain activity related to mood and appetite without causing major side effects. Other research has safely used this technique to help control appetite and improve insulin handling. Participants in these studies did not report any serious problems or discomfort. Because this method does not involve surgery, it usually carries fewer risks than surgical treatments. Overall, early results suggest that this approach is a safe option for many people. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Most treatments for anorexia focus on psychotherapy and nutritional rehabilitation, but Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) offers a novel approach by targeting the nervous system directly. Researchers are excited about taVNS because it uses electrical stimulation to influence brain regions involved in mood and appetite, potentially addressing underlying neurological factors of anorexia. This non-invasive method is different from traditional treatments as it directly modulates nerve activity, which could lead to new, faster-acting therapeutic options for patients struggling with anorexia.

What evidence suggests that vagus nerve stimulation is effective for anorexia?

Research has shown that stimulating the vagus nerve, such as with taVNS, can help treat major depression, certain types of epilepsy, and anxiety disorders. Some studies found that taVNS can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, evidence suggests that vagus nerve stimulation might aid weight loss in obese patients. However, its effect on eating habits and food choices remains unclear, with some research indicating only minor changes in food preferences. In this trial, participants will receive either taVNS or a sham stimulation. While taVNS appears promising for improving mood and anxiety, more research is needed to understand its impact on anorexia and eating behaviors. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Tom Hildebrandt

Principal Investigator

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking teens aged 14-17 with low weight eating disorders, who are in a refeeding program and need to gain at least 8 lbs. It's not for those pregnant, with recent GI surgery, acute suicide risk, swallowing disorders, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, certain device implants (like pacemakers), allergies to specific shake ingredients, substance misuse issues or diagnosed GI disturbances.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 14 and 17 years old.

I am currently in a program for eating disorders, focusing on refeeding.

Needing to gain at least 8 lbs during the refeeding period

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnancy

Acute suicide risk/active suicidal ideation determined with the C-SSRS. 'Yes' to questions 1 or 2 in the Suicidal Ideation section or 'Yes' to any question in the Suicidal Behavior section will be exclusionary

Allergies to the ingredients in the shake provided

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive either vagal nerve stimulation or sham stimulation for 4 weeks

4 weeks

3 clinic check-ins per week, 4 weekly study visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Sham
• taVNS

Trial Overview The study tests if non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) before meals can improve satisfaction and calorie intake while reducing fullness feelings and anxiety compared to sham (fake) stimulation. It also measures gastric functions like rhythm and motility over four weeks.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Vagal Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

taVNS stimulation administered during intervention

Group II: Sham Stimulation (Sham) Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Sham stimulation administered during intervention

taVNS is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation for:

• Epilepsy
• Depression
• Obesity

Approved in European Union as Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation for:

• Epilepsy
• Depression

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Lead Sponsor

Trials

933

Recruited

579,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) significantly improves depression symptoms, as evidenced by reduced scores on the Hamilton Depression Scale in a review of 12 studies involving 838 participants.

taVNS shows comparable response rates to traditional antidepressants and has fewer side effects, suggesting it could be a safe alternative or complementary treatment for depression.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The efficacy and safety of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Tan, C., Qiao, M., Ma, Y., et al.[2023]

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (TaVNS) effectively normalized gastric dysrhythmias in healthy individuals during a water-load test, indicating its potential as a treatment for gastric symptoms.

The study found that TaVNS at 40 Hz improved heart rate variability and reduced bloating, suggesting it positively influences both parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system pathways.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Normalizes Induced Gastric Myoelectrical Dysrhythmias in Controls Assessed by Body-Surface Gastric Mapping. Du, P., Maharjan, A., Calder, S., et al.[2023]

Transcutaneous auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) can be optimized by varying electrode designs, which significantly affects the sensitivity and selectivity of nerve activation in different regions of the ear, as shown through a detailed anatomical model and finite element analysis.

The study found that smaller electrodes increase the electric field strength for a given current, allowing for more targeted stimulation of specific ear regions, which is crucial for enhancing the efficacy of taVNS in clinical applications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-resolution computational modeling of the current flow in the outer ear during transcutaneous auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS). Kreisberg, E., Esmaeilpour, Z., Adair, D., et al.[2023]

A systematic review of 261 studies revealed significant confusion in the nomenclature for transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN), with 67 full and 27 abbreviated terms identified, highlighting the need for standardization.

The most commonly used terms were 'transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation' and 'tVNS', but there was no consistent one-to-one relationship between full and abbreviated names, indicating a lack of uniformity in terminology across different research teams.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Toward Diverse or Standardized: A Systematic Review Identifying Transcutaneous Stimulation of Auricular Branch of the Vagus Nerve in Nomenclature. Wang, Y., Li, L., Li, S., et al.[2023]

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive and cost-effective method for modulating the vagus nerve, making it a promising alternative to traditional surgical vagus nerve stimulation.

taVNS allows for easy and safe administration, with considerations for proper electrode placement and individual dosing based on perception thresholds, which enhances its potential for treating various central and peripheral diseases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Laboratory Administration of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS): Technique, Targeting, and Considerations. Badran, BW., Yu, AB., Adair, D., et al.[2020]

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is generally safe, with a low incidence of mild and transient adverse effects, such as ear pain, headache, and tingling, reported in only 24.86% of the studies analyzed.

In a systematic review of 177 studies involving 6322 subjects, there was no significant difference in the risk of adverse events between taVNS and control groups, indicating that taVNS is a feasible option for clinical intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS): a systematic review and meta-analysis. Kim, AY., Marduy, A., de Melo, PS., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 14 patients with anorexia nervosa and 12 healthy controls, it was found that anxiety negatively affects the autonomic nervous system (ANS) of patients with anorexia.

The duration of the illness combined with the patient's body mass index (BMI) was significantly associated with changes in the ANS, indicating that sustained extreme weight loss has a major impact on autonomic function in these patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical and psychological factors influencing heart rate variability in anorexia nervosa. Wu, Y., Nozaki, T., Inamitsu, T., et al.[2019]

Electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus in rats did not significantly improve food intake or locomotor activity, suggesting limited therapeutic effects for treating anorexia nervosa symptoms.

The study indicates that high-frequency electrical stimulation may not be an effective treatment for anorexia nervosa, as the results did not show major symptom relief in the tested model.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Electrical stimulation in the lateral hypothalamus in rats in the activity-based anorexia model. Welkenhuysen, M., Van Kuyck, K., Das, J., et al.[2008]

Transcutaneous auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (Ta-VNS) showed significant improvements in depressive symptoms and anxiety levels among 15 female subjects with eating and feeding disorders over a 9-week treatment period, as indicated by reductions in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Beck Anxiety Index scores.

Participants with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa experienced a notable increase in Body Mass Index (BMI), with gains ranging from 5% to 11%, suggesting that Ta-VNS may be a beneficial adjunct therapy for improving both psychological and physical health in these patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Trans-auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in the Treatment of Recovered Patients Affected by Eating and Feeding Disorders and Their Comorbidities. Melis, Y., Apicella, E., Macario, M., et al.[2020]

Research on anorexia nervosa (AN) has evolved from focusing on psychological factors to exploring the role of neurotransmitters and the hypothalamus in its symptoms.

No single treatment has proven effective for all AN patients, and while diet, psychotherapy, and medications can help some individuals, the underlying causes and optimal treatments remain unclear after extensive research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychological aspects of anorexia nervosa. Murray, JB.[2004]

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will assess the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on 80 children and adolescents (ages 10-18) with Anorexia Nervosa, aiming to improve clinical outcomes and reduce symptoms over six weeks of treatment.

The study will also explore changes in brain mechanisms and biomarkers, including PFC connectivity and stress response, which may provide new insights into effective treatments for Anorexia Nervosa in younger populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation in the treatment of children and adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa: study protocol of a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ursumando, L., Ponzo, V., Monteleone, AM., et al.[2023]

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a safe and effective neuromodulation therapy for a variety of conditions, including epilepsy, depression, and anxiety, indicating its broad therapeutic potential.

Despite its effectiveness, there is currently no standardization among taVNS devices, and further research is needed to clarify the relationship between stimulation parameters and therapeutic outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulators: a review of past, present, and future devices. Wang, L., Wang, Y., Wang, Y., et al.[2022]

In a study involving at-risk infants receiving transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) paired with bottle feeding for 2-3 weeks, significant improvements in head movement skills were observed in those who successfully transitioned to full oral feeds, indicating the potential efficacy of taVNS in enhancing motor function.

The study also found that improvements in specific motor skills, such as rolling by arm, were linked to changes in white matter microstructure, suggesting a possible mechanism of action for how taVNS may support motor development in infants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) given for poor feeding in at-risk infants also improves their motor abilities. Aljuhani, T., Haskin, H., Davis, S., et al.[2023]

Neurosurgical interventions, particularly stereotactic ablation and deep brain stimulation (DBS), show promising evidence for effectively treating severe and enduring anorexia nervosa (AN) based on a systematic review of 20 trials.

In contrast, neuromodulatory treatments like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have shown only modest and mixed results, indicating that more research is needed to establish their efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neurosurgery and neuromodulation for anorexia nervosa in the 21st century: a systematic review of treatment outcomes. Murray, SB., Strober, M., Tadayonnejad, R., et al.[2022]

Citations

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Trans-auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in the Treatment ... Previous studies have shown that vagal nerve stimulation is effective in the treatment of resistant major depression, epilepsy and anxiety disorders.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195666321007200

Acute vagus nerve stimulation does not affect liking or ... We conclude that acute taVNS only has a marginal effect on subjective ratings of food, suggesting that it is an unlikely mechanism for the reported long-term ...

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-feeding-and-eating-disorders-9-2022-03090

Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Anorexia Transcutaneous auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (Ta-VNS) showed significant improvements in depressive symptoms and anxiety levels among 15 female subjects ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04926415

NCT04926415 | Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus ... Clinical studies and experimental studies in animals have demonstrated that cervical vagus nerve stimulation causes weight loss in obese patients and has ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7314996/

Effect of Short-Term Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation ... We hypothesized that transcutaneous VNS (tVNS) affects food intake by altering cognitive functions relevant to the processing of food-related information.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10886536/

Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Improve ... taVNS stimulation has been shown to directly modulate the brainstem activity of the LC-norepinephrine network (LC-NE) [77,88,95,98,99]. Indirect noradrenergic ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9020171/

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation augments ... The results of this study show that noninvasive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) augments the post‐prandial decline in plasma ghrelin ...

8. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-01964-6

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation inhibits ... taVNS can effectively reduce appetite and weight gain, enhance insulin sensitivity, and ultimately exert a hypoglycemic effect via the orexin-dependent neural ...

9. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1274432/full

Current status and prospect of transcutaneous auricular ... In this paper, we review the literature on taVNS and DOC to better understand the current status and development prospect of taVNS treament as a non-invasive ...