Recording vagus nerve activity during stimulation in awake people with epilepsy
Records nerve activity from the vagus nerve during stimulation in adults with epilepsy.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Microelectrode Recordings From the Vagus Nerve in Awake Humans
Key facts
- Where
- Minneapolis, United StatesSee the site
- Phase
- Phase 1
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 40 years old?
Source: NCT06016686, who can take part
Where in United States
- University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Minnesota
- Trial code
- NCT06016686
- Record updated
- 20 April 2026
- Original description
This Anchillary project uses a refined technique of ultrasound-guided microneurography of the human cervical vagus nerve, an approach developed by Professor Vaughan Macefield and used safely to-date in 44 prior study participants.Read full original descriptionShow less
Microelectrode Recordings From the Vagus Nerve in Awake Humans
This Anchillary project uses a refined technique of ultrasound-guided microneurography of the human cervical vagus nerve, an approach developed by Professor Vaughan Macefield and used safely to-date in 44 prior study participants.
The overall goal of this project is to build upon prior data obtained using this approach by undertaking a detailed neurophysiological investigation of the human vagus nerve and to identify the nerve fibers activated during vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) in participants with implanted VNS devices in response to different stimulation parameters. In addition to providing data in unprecedented detail into the physiology of the human vagus nerve, this project will investigate different stimulus intensities, durations and frequencies that differentially excite myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers. These results will inform the CSP and guide future development of novel neural interfaces for VNS for various clinical applications.
Inclusion: The participant is greater than or equal to (≥)18 years and is less than or equal to (≤) 40 years of age; English speaking; Medicare covered or equivalent health insurance from a partner country.
Exclusion: Pregnant; Smokes and is unwilling to abstain from smoking on the day of the experiment; Inability or unwillingness to provide written informed consent; Individuals with difficulty standing unassisted for 5 minutes during the tilt-table testing; Individuals found to have a significant carotid artery plaque or intima-media thickness > 1 mm as assessed by ultrasonography during the ultrasound-screening steps of the study visit; Vagus nerve not visible on ultrasound; VNS electrodes are not in a suitable location to allow for microelectrode insertion; Any other clinical reasons deemed by the investigators.