Could a simple nerve zap help veterans heal from brain injury and PTSD?

NCT ID NCT04437498

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jul 21, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This study tests a non-invasive device that stimulates the vagus nerve (a key nerve in the body) to see if it can improve memory and reduce PTSD symptoms in veterans with mild traumatic brain injury. One hundred veterans will receive either active stimulation or a sham (fake) treatment twice daily. Researchers will measure changes in PTSD symptoms, memory, brain blood flow, and stress-related inflammation.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation (nVNS) device
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a new, drug-free way to ease memory problems and PTSD symptoms in veterans with mild traumatic brain injury.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage study with only 100 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The treatment is compared to a sham device, and it's unclear if benefits will last long-term.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Brain Injuries, Traumatic post-traumatic stress disorder traumatic brain injury

As listed by the trial registrant

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

MTBI PTSD

Contacts and locations

Locations

Atlanta VA Medical and Rehab Center, Decatur, GA
RECRUITING

Decatur, Georgia, 30033-4004, United States

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