StudyFinder
Research Evaluating Vagal Excitation and Anatomical Links
Recruiting
We are studying the effects of stimulating the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve connects the brain to many organs in the body. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is already approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat depression and epilepsy. We want to learn more about how it affects other parts of our bodies, such as the heart, metabolism, the immune system, and the nervous system. We hope that by understanding how VNS affects the body as a whole, we can develop new treatments for other conditions, or help to improve its use for depression and epilepsy.
Male or Female
18 years and over
Inclusion Criteria:
• previously implanted with a vagal nerve stimulator (VNS) device to treat Major Depressive Disorder and on stable medications for at least 2 months
• OR will receive a VNS implant as standard clinical care, for Major Depressive Disorder and will receive VNS clinical standard of care programming after study completion. standard clinical care, for Major Depressive Disorder and will receive VNS clinical standard of care programming after completing the study
• OR previously been implanted with a VNS for Epilepsy that isn't controlled with medication
• OR will receive a VNS implant as standard clinical care, and will receive VNS clinical standard of care programming after study completion
• Contact study staff for additional requirements for each group
• willing to use effective birth control for the entire time period of the study
Exclusion Criteria:
• has a prior implantable stimulation device, other than a VNS device
• uses or is expected during the study to use short-wave diathermy, microwave, diathermy, or therapeutic ultrasound diathermy
• unable to speak English
• additional medical or mental health issues (study staff will review)
Brain & Nervous System, Mental Health & Addiction
Clinics and Surgery Center (CSC), Depression, Epilepsy, Vagal Nerve Stimulator, VNS
Interventional Psychiatry Lab Study - ipl@umn.edu
John Osborn Jr.
SITE00002000