Improving Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Obesity
Design and testing of a novel circumesophageal cuff for chronic bilateral subdiaphragmatic vagal nerve stimulation (sVNS)
This project aims to create a safer and more effective way to use vagus nerve stimulation to help people manage obesity.
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 ID | NIH-11320702 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Obesity is a significant health challenge for many people, and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a promising approach to help manage it. Current VNS methods can sometimes have side effects or be difficult to apply in the most effective way, especially when stimulating both sides of the nerve below the diaphragm. This project is developing a new, safer device called a helical cuff that fits around the vagus nerve without risking complications like esophageal narrowing. Researchers will use this new device in animal models to understand exactly how different stimulation settings affect the nerve and the brain, paving the way for more precise and effective treatments for obesity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who struggle with obesity and might benefit from advanced nerve stimulation therapies could eventually be candidates for treatments developed from this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose obesity is not related to the mechanisms targeted by vagus nerve stimulation, or who are not candidates for implantable devices, may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a new, safer, and more effective vagus nerve stimulation device and treatment approach for individuals living with obesity.
How similar studies have performed: Vagus nerve stimulation is already used for various conditions, but this specific device design and the detailed mapping of stimulation parameters are novel and untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- 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 below.