Plain-English translation of NCT04437498 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Read our PTSD research guide →This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
This study is testing a treatment called non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation (nVNS) — a gentle electrical stimulation applied to a nerve in your neck — to help veterans with mild traumatic brain injury and PTSD. Researchers believe this treatment may improve memory, reduce the body's stress response, and lower inflammation. The study will measure changes in memory, brain activity, heart rate, and stress hormone levels to see if the treatment works better than a sham (fake) version.
Many veterans with mild brain injury and PTSD struggle with memory problems and difficulty managing stress responses. Current treatments don't work for everyone. This trial explores whether stimulating a specific nerve in the body could help calm the nervous system and improve thinking and memory — offering a new option for veterans who haven't found relief elsewhere.
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You would come to the study site for an initial visit that includes brain imaging (PET scans), memory tests, and stress tasks while wearing sensors that measure your heart rate and body responses. Then you would use the nerve stimulation device at home twice daily for three months while completing memory tasks over four days. You'll return for follow-up visits at one week and three months to repeat some tests and assess changes in your PTSD symptoms and overall well-being. Some participants will receive the real treatment while others receive a sham (placebo) version.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Aug 3, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States