Study of Electrical Ear Stimulation to Improve Thinking Skills in Healthy Adults and People with Parkinsons Disease

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how gentle electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve through the ear, called transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation taVNS, might affect thinking abilities like decision-making and problem-solving. This study includes both healthy adults and people with Parkinsons disease to explore whether this method could help improve brain function. The research is a pilot study focused on safety, feasibility, and potential therapy effects. Participants will be assigned to receive either active taVNS or a sham stimulation that does not target the vagus nerve. Healthy participants in the acute study will receive both types in a randomized order, while others will be assigned based on enrollment order. The stimulation is applied to the ear using a device, and the study groups include healthy controls and individuals with Parkinsons disease. During the study, researchers will monitor participants for any adverse events and evaluate cognitive task performance, modulation of executive function networks, and participants subjective experiences over a 6-month treatment period. Participants will be assessed through cognitive tests and safety monitoring to understand the impact of the stimulation on brain function. The study will last from enrollment to 6 months, with ongoing evaluation throughout this time.

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