🏛️ Verified NIH Record • Updated 2026-06-25

The Wandering Nerve: Gateway to Boost Alzheimer's Disease Related Cognitive Performance (NCT04908358)

The Wandering Nerve: Gateway to Boost Alzheimer's Disease Related Cognitive

🔵 Active, Not Recruiting Observational / Diagnostic 📋 Clinical Research Protocol Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

In this research study the investigators want to find out if a non-invasive electrical brain stimulation method called RAVANS (also called tVNS) can have a beneficial effect on cognition in older individuals. The investigators also want to understand whether certain individual factors contribute to the effect of RAVANS on cognition. RAVANS is only used in research studies.

Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (10 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (20 items).

Location: Massachusetts General Hospital — Charlestown, Massachusetts

Age range: 60 Years to 85 Years

🧪 Interventions in This Study

  • Active transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation respiratory-gated non-painful electrical stimulation of the auricle for 10 minute sessions (OTHER)
  • Sham transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation respiratory-gated non-painful electrical stimulation of the auricle for 10 minute sessions (OTHER)

📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Check every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).

Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:

  • Exclusion Criteria:
  • 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

🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.

📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)

  • Massachusetts General Hospital — Charlestown, Massachusetts

💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

  • 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
  • Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
  • Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

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💡 How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Review the official NIH record below to find the coordinating site.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
🏛️ View Official NIH Record ↗