Could a nerve stimulator in the neck beat severe depression?

NCT ID NCT05952674

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This trial investigates whether vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) — a device implanted in the neck that sends electrical pulses to the brain — can help people with treatment-resistant depression. About 166 adults with depression that has not responded to standard treatments will receive either VNS plus usual care or usual care alone. The study measures if VNS is worth its cost by tracking mood, quality of life, and healthcare use over two years.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) device
What this could lead to: If effective, VNS could offer a long-term maintenance treatment option for people with treatment-resistant depression, potentially reducing relapse and improving quality of life.
What could go wrong: This is an open-label, randomized trial, so results may be influenced by placebo effects. VNS requires surgery and carries risks like infection or nerve damage. The study focuses on cost-effectiveness, not just clinical benefit.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant

As listed by the trial registrant

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

TREATMENT RESISTANT DEPRESSION (TRD)

Contacts and locations

Locations

AP-HP. Centre - Université de Paris, Hôpital Corentin-Celton
WITHDRAWN

Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
AP-HP. Nord - Université de Paris, Hôpital Louis Mourier
WITHDRAWN

Colombes, France, 92700, France
AP-HP. Sorbonne Université, Hôpital La Pitié Salpetrière
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Paris, France, 75013, France
AP-HP. Université Paris Saclay, Hôpital Bicêtre
WITHDRAWN

Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France, 94270, France
APHP. Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, Hôpital Henri Mondor
RECRUITING

Créteil, France, 94000, France
Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital de la Conception
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Marseille, France, 13005, France
CHRU Tours, Clinique Psychiatrique Universitaire
RECRUITING

Tours, France, 37540, France
CHU Angers
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Angers, France, 49933, France
CHU Brest
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Brest, 29200, France
CHU Caen
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Caen, France, 14000, France
CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Hôpital Gabriel Montpied
RECRUITING

Clermont-Ferrand, France, 63000, France
CHU Dijon, Hôpital Le Bocage
RECRUITING

Dijon, France, 21000, France
CHU Grenoble Alpes
RECRUITING

Grenoble, France, 38700, France
CHU Lille
RECRUITING

Lille, France, 59037, France
CHU Nice, Hôpital Pasteur 1
RECRUITING

Nice, France, 06001, France
CHU Rouen, Centre Hospitalier du Rouvray
RECRUITING

Rouen, France, 76300, France
CHU Saint-Etienne
RECRUITING

Saint-Etienne, France, 42055, France
CHU Toulouse, Hôpital de Psychiatrie
RECRUITING

Toulouse, France, 31059, France
CHU de Nantes, Hôtel Dieu
RECRUITING

Nantes, France, 44093, France
Centre Hospitalier Charles Perrens
RECRUITING

Bordeaux, France, 33076, France
Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Regnier
RECRUITING

Rennes, France, 35703, France
Centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Poitiers, France, 86021, France
GHU Paris Psychiatrie & Neuroscience, site Saint Anne
RECRUITING

Paris, France, 75014, France
Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Pierre Wertheimer
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Lyon, France, 69677, France

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