Non‑invasive vagus nerve stimulation for veterans with mild traumatic brain injury
Non-Invasive Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Veterans with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)
This work uses a handheld device that stimulates the vagus nerve through the skin to try to ease symptoms in veterans with mild traumatic brain injury, often alongside PTSD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Decatur, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11239769 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a veteran with mTBI, I would be given a small, non‑surgical device that delivers brief electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve through the skin. The team will ask me to use the device on a regular schedule and come in for follow‑up visits to report symptoms, complete cognitive and mood tests, and have safety checks. They may also collect biological measures such as blood markers or brain imaging to see if the treatment changes inflammation, stress responses, or brain function. The research focuses on whether this simpler, lower‑risk approach can help with memory, mood, and daily functioning after combat‑related brain injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are veterans with a history of mild traumatic brain injury, especially those who continue to have cognitive problems, mood symptoms, or PTSD after military service.
Not a fit: People without mTBI or active PTSD, those with more severe traumatic brain injury, or those with contraindicated implanted electrical devices or unstable medical conditions may not be eligible or likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a non‑surgical, low‑risk option to reduce cognitive and stress‑related symptoms and improve daily functioning for veterans with mTBI and PTSD.
How similar studies have performed: Surgically implanted VNS has proven benefits in epilepsy and depression, and early non‑invasive VNS studies show promising but still mixed results in neurotrauma and stress‑related disorders.
Where this research is happening
Decatur, UNITED STATES
- Veterans Health Administration — Decatur, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bremner, James Douglas — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Bremner, James Douglas
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.