Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Motor Learning & Mechanisms
概览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 干预措施
- Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation
- 疾病 / 适应症
- Paresis
- 发起方
- VA Office of Research and Development
- 入组人数
- 110
- 试验地点
- 2
- 主要终点
- Force Control Change
- 状态
- 招募中
- 最后更新
- 8天前
概览
简要总结
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is thought to activate neural pathways that release chemicals which promote plasticity and learning. Previous work has shown that the auricular branch of the vagus nerve innervates landmarks on the external ear. Work from the PI's laboratory has shown that electrical current applied to the external ear modulates physiological indexes of brain states implicated in the therapeutic effects of VNS. The broad objective of this project is to better understand physiological mechanisms modulated by auricular stimulation to support possible therapeutic effects in the form of motor learning.
详细描述
Existing evidence supports the use of VNS to enhance the effects of traditional therapy on impairments due to neurological injury. It is known that the vagus nerve forms contacts with neuromodulatory nuclei in the brainstem that release of chemicals shown to be critically involved in attentional control and memory formation. It is also known that the auricular branch of the vagus nerve innervates portions of the external ear providing a possible means to engage similar neural pathways noninvasively via transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). Recent work from the PI's laboratory shows that electrical current applied to landmarks on the external ear elicits transient effects on pupil dilation, an established physiological index of brain states that support learning. Given the ability to engage the biomarker, the investigators aim to further investigate physiological mechanisms modulated by taVNS and possible effects on learning.
研究者
入排标准
入选标准
- •ALL PROSPECTIVE SUBJECTS:
- •18-75 years of age
- •PROSPECTIVE SUBJECTS DIAGNOSED WITH STROKE:
- •Diagnosis of a single stroke resulting in hand impairment
- •Diagnosis of stroke at least six months prior to the time of participation
排除标准
- •ALL PROSPECTIVE SUBJECTS:
- •History of vestibular disorders or dizziness
- •Difficulty maintaining alertness and/or remaining still
- •Pregnant or expecting to become pregnant
- •Diagnosis of neurological and/or musculoskeletal disorder(s) (other than stroke) that affect movement
- •Ocular disease and/or impairment in more than one eye
- •History of seizure and/or epilepsy
- •Implants, devices, or foreign objects in the brain/body that are incompatible with MRI
- •Body size that is incompatible with MRI scanner dimensions
- •Anyone already enrolled and actively participating in another greater than minimal risk study.
研究组 & 干预措施
Paired, Sub-Threshold Stim
Sub-threshold stimulation paired with successful task repetitions
干预措施: Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation
Paired, Supra-Threshold Stim
Supra-threshold stimulation paired with successful task repetition
干预措施: Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation
Unpaired, Sub-Threshold Stim
Sub-threshold stimulation after successful task repetition
干预措施: Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation
Unpaired, Supra-Threshold Stim
Supra-threshold stimulation after successful task repetition
干预措施: Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation
Sham
No stimulation
干预措施: Sham
结局指标
主要结局
Force Control Change
时间窗: Pre, 1-week Post, 1-month Post
Subjects will be tested on the same task used for training that involves controlling finger forces.