NCT04908358 · ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
The Wandering Nerve: Gateway to Boost Alzheimer's Disease Related Cognitive Performance
This trial is testing a non-invasive device called RAVANS, or tVNS, which delivers a gentle electrical pulse to the ear to stimulate the vagus nerve — a major nerve connecting the brain and body. Researchers want to know whether this stimulation improves thinking and memory in cognitively healthy older adults. This is a Phase NA study, meaning it is exploratory research designed to gather early evidence, not a proven or approved treatment.
You may qualify if
- Fluent in English
- Willingness and ability to comply with scheduled visits, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning, laboratory tests, and other study procedures.
- Subjects with well-controlled vascular risk factors, such as treated hypertension, treated hyperlipidemia or well controlled Type II diabetes will be included.
- Stable medications for at least 30 days.
- Mini Mental State Exam adjusted for age and education of 25 to 30, inclusive or a Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status score of at least 32
- Perform within 1.5 S.D. of age and education matched norms on the Logical Memory Paragraph Delayed Recall
- Geriatric Depression Scale \< 11
- Aged 60-85, inclusive
- Right-handed
- Reduced vision is allowed if it can be corrected with MRI-goggles
You're excluded if
- Prior known diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia
- Use of investigational drugs or devices within 60 days prior to screening
- Subjects with contraindications to MRI cannot participate (i.e., implanted metal including pacemakers, cerebral spinal fluid shunts, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, ear implants or metal/foreign objects in the eyes and those with a history of claustrophobia)
- Pregnant.
- Major psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, major affective disorder in mid-life, or treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (Mild depression that is well treated with stable dose of selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants will be allowed).
- Have a history of major head trauma defined as a loss of consciousness and/or trauma requiring hospitalization
- Substance abuse within the past 2 years
- Active hematological, renal, pulmonary, endocrine or hepatic disorders.
- Evidence of cortical infarcts or strategically placed lacunar infarct (e.g. dorsal medial nucleus of thalamus). MRI evidence of mild white matter signal abnormalities will be allowed.
- Active cancer, metabolic encephalopathy, infection
- Active cardiovascular disease, stroke, congestive or severe heart failure
- Huntington's disease, hydrocephalus or seizure disorder
- Cataracts, glaucoma, detached retina's, eye surgery involving the muscles; droopy eyelids, penetrating eye wounds and use of anticholinergic eye drop use
- Weight equal to or greater than 300 lbs (weight limit of the MRI table).
- Recurrent vaso-vagal syncopal episodes
- Unilateral or bilateral vagotomy
- Severe valvular disorder (i.e. prosthetic valve or hemodynamically relevant valvular diseases)
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Hypotension due to autonomic dysfunction
The sponsor's own eligibility wording, lightly reformatted. The study team makes the final eligibility decision — worth discussing with your doctor.
Eligibility criteria as of 2026-03-16