Microelectrode Recordings From the Vagus Nerve in Awake Humans

NCT06016686 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: PHASE1 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 60

Last updated 2026-04-20

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This Anchillary project uses a refined technique of ultrasound-guided microneurography of the human cervical vagus nerve, an approach developed by Professor Vaughan Macefield and used safely to-date in 44 prior study participants.

The overall goal of this project is to build upon prior data obtained using this approach by undertaking a detailed neurophysiological investigation of the human vagus nerve and to identify the nerve fibers activated during vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) in participants with implanted VNS devices in response to different stimulation parameters. In addition to providing data in unprecedented detail into the physiology of the human vagus nerve, this project will investigate different stimulus intensities, durations and frequencies that differentially excite myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers. These results will inform the CSP and guide future development of novel neural interfaces for VNS for various clinical applications.

Conditions

Interventions

OTHER

VNS stimulation and intraneural recordings

A minimum of three stimulation frequencies (1, 10 and 30 Hz), each up to 60s in duration, will be delivered via the VNS device. Intraneural recordings proximal or distal to the VNS electrodes during delivery of VNS will be performed. Approximately two to five fascicles will be explored in each nerve.

OTHER

Record multi-unit activity from intraneural sites

Perform a more detailed vagal nerve mapping study by recording from single nerve fibers, including those fibers supplying the heart, lungs, airways and other end-organs. The investigators shall perform functional mapping of the left and right vagus nerves, such as those with cardiac-related and/or respiratory-related neural activity. The research team will also record activity from other nearby fibers to map the differences in neurological behavior in fascicles that control the heart, lungs, airways and other systems.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Principal Investigators

  • Vaughan G Macefield, PhD · Monash University

  • John Osborn · University of Minnesota

Study Design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
40 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2024-04-01
Primary Completion
2026-12-31
Completion
2026-12-31

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Entities

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06016686 on ClinicalTrials.gov