Developing a new device for vagus nerve stimulation to help with obesity treatment
Official title: Design and testing of a novel circumesophageal cuff for chronic bilateral subdiaphragmatic vagal nerve stimulation (sVNS)
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-10831850 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new device that gently stimulates a nerve in the body to see if it can help people with obesity feel better and lose weight, while making sure it's safe and effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| NIH project number | 5I21RX004640-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10831850 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals suffering from obesity, particularly those who have not responded well to traditional weight loss methods.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by obesity or those who have contraindications for vagus nerve stimulation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating and testing a novel helical cuff designed for chronic bilateral subdiaphragmatic vagus nerve stimulation (sVNS), which aims to improve treatment outcomes for obesity. By mapping the relationship between different stimulation parameters and their effects on nerve recruitment and brain activation, the researchers hope to optimize the use of vagus nerve stimulation. The study will involve animal experiments to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the new cuff, which is designed to prevent complications like esophageal stenosis. Ultimately, this research seeks to enhance the understanding of how vagus nerve stimulation can be applied to treat obesity more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for obesity, potentially reducing its prevalence and associated health costs.
How similar studies have gone: While vagus nerve stimulation has been explored in various contexts, this specific approach using a novel cuff design is relatively new and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schiefer, Matthew Anthony — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Schiefer, Matthew Anthony
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.