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

Summary

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).

Interventions

• transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation · DEVICE

  Electrical stimulation targeting the auricular branch of the vagus nerve

• sham stimulation · DEVICE

  Sham stimulation of the outer ear that does not target the vagus nerve

Published eligibility criteria

Verbatim from the registry. Only the site can decide how these apply to a specific patient.

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.

Sites (1)

• Clinical Translational Research Center at CU Anschutz, Aurora, Colorado · RECRUITING