Vagal Nerve Stimulation To Enhance Cognition and Learning

Part of paid clinical trials in Stony Brook, New York.

Sponsor
Stony Brook University
Study ID
NCT07719387
Status
Enrolling By Invitation

Conditions

  • Cognitive Assessment
  • Language Acquisition
  • Stroke
  • Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
22 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • VNS for Cognition — DEVICE
    Subjects previously implanted with VNS will undergo second language acquisition

Study Details

The purpose of this study is to find out whether pairing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) with cognitive training can improve memory and language learning in people who have previously used VNS therapy for movement rehabilitation after a stroke. VNS has been previously used to support motor recovery after stroke, but its effect on cognitive learning is not yet fully understood. This study is enrolling individuals who already have a VNS device implanted and have successfully completed VNS-assisted movement therapy. The investigators aim to explore whether continuing to use the device during a language learning program may also support memory and cognitive improvement. This is a research study, which means the use of VNS for cognitive enhancement is experimental and not currently part of standard treatment. An exploratory MRI/fMRI component also will assess whether VNS-paired language learning is associated with changes in task-based activation and resting-state functional connectivity in language, memory, salience/arousal, and frontoparietal cognitive-control networks. The information learned may help guide future approaches to stroke rehabilitation and cognitive recovery.

Key Dates

First listed
Jul 22, 2026
Start date
Nov 17, 2025
Status verified
Jan 2026
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2026
Completion
Dec 31, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
20 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Active Comparator: VNS Group
    Group that was implanted with VNS and will receive stimulations
  • Sham Comparator: Sham Group
    Group that will receive sham stimulations

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in Foreign-Language Vocabulary Learning Accuracy [ Time Frame: Baseline and 6 weeks ]

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Stony Brook University HospitalStony BrookNew York11790-

Find similar trials in Stony Brook, NY

By condition
Stroke
By specialty
NeurologyBrain disorders
By research site
Stony Brook University Hospital· Stony Brook, NY

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