Zapping a nerve in the forehead could reveal how brain and body talk

NCT ID NCT07662291

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Xidian University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether stimulating a nerve in the forehead at different speeds changes how the brain and the body's automatic systems (like breathing and heart rate) work together. Twenty-five healthy adults will receive mild electrical pulses at 2Hz, 120Hz, or a fake (sham) stimulation while inside an MRI scanner. Researchers will watch brain activity and body signals to see which frequency has the strongest effect.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: transcutaneous trigeminal nerve stimulation (eTNS)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could help design better nerve stimulation therapies for conditions like anxiety, chronic pain, or heart rate disorders.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study in healthy volunteers, so results may not apply to people with medical conditions. The effects may be subtle or not clinically meaningful.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

FMRI RESEARCH HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Xidian University
RECRUITING

Xi'an, Shaanxi, 71000, China

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