Modulation of Gastric Sensitivity and Accommodation by Vagal Nerve Stimulation
Massachusetts General Hospital
Summary
Explore the effects of auricular transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) on brain and stomach outcomes in functional dyspepsia and gastroparesis patients.
Description
The primary aims of this study are to 1) investigate the effects of auricular transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) on brain-gut signaling using a liquid meal test in functional dyspepsia (FD) and gastroparesis (GP) patients using combined gastric, autonomic and neuroimaging measures, and 2) evaluate the effectiveness of taVNS on FD and GP symptoms. A total of 25 FD and 25 GP patients will be enrolled in this study, both females and males, ranging between 18 and 65 years of age. There will be multiple study visits consisting of a screening, baseline testing, consumption of a liquid m…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Volunteers, female and male, between 18 and 65 years of age. 2. For healthy volunteers, ability to undergo MRI for up to 2 hours. 3. For Functional Dyspeptic patients, diagnosis according to the Rome III criteria for both PDS and EPS subtypes. 4. For Gastroparesis patients, diagnosis will include the following criteria: * symptoms of gastroparesis of at least 12 weeks duration (does not have to be continuous) with varying degrees of nausea, vomiting, early satiety, and/or post-prandial fullness * an idiopathic etiology * abnormal gastric emptying scintigraphy…
Interventions
- DevicetaVNS
Active or inactive taVNS delivered to the external ear at a moderate, non-painful level.
Location
- Massachusetts General HospitalBoston, Massachusetts