MINT: Modulating Inflammation in Neuro-Trauma
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Summary
MINT is a single-site, prospective, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot trial evaluating the safety and feasibility of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (GCS 3-12). Participants will be randomized to receive either active taVNS or sham stimulation using the same device. The primary objective is to assess the safety and feasibility of taVNS implementation in the acute TBI setting. Secondary objectives include exploratory measurement of serum inflammatory and neuronal injury biomarkers and assessment of functional outcome using the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale at hospital discharge.
Description
MINT is a pilot randomized controlled trial designed to establish the safety and feasibility of taVNS in acute moderate to severe TBI prior to a larger efficacy trial. Sixteen patients with GCS 3-12 admitted to University Hospital, San Antonio will be randomized 1:1 to active taVNS or sham stimulation. Patients entering the University Hospital trauma bay who are diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) will be prescreened according to inclusion/exclusion criteria for entrance into this study. Participants will be randomized to receive either treatment with active taVNS or sham treatment. A…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-75 years old * Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Score 3-12 * Expected Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay \> 48 hours * Presenting with acute Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) within 24 hours Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant * Any electrical implanted device * Immunomodulatory medication * Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) patients * Autoimmune disease * Known cancer immunotherapy * Past medical history of symptomatic bradycardia * Penetrating brain injury * Clinical team assessment of prognosis and imminent risk of death such as Decision to withdraw life-sustaining measures * Cu…
Interventions
- DeviceNurosym taVNS
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that electrically stimulates the auricular branch of the vagus nerve via electrodes placed on the tragus of the ear.
- DeviceNurosym (sham)
Patients will have the device placed on their tragus and will receive a low level of stimulation that tapers to zero over 30 seconds.
Locations (2)
- University HospitalSan Antonio, Texas
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan Antonio, Texas