Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS)
After spinal cord injury, impaired vagal tone often coincide with chronic inflammation, depression, and chronic pain. Pro-inflammatory cytokines skew brain chemistry toward neurotoxic metabolites and deplete mood-supporting monoamines, driving both depressive symptoms and chronic pain. Traditional anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and analgesic drugs carry significant side effects, making long-term use problematic. By contrast, taVNS harnesses the body’s own inflammatory reflex which may offer a safe and effective treatment alternative.
In the world’s first trial in people with spinal cord injury, we have demonstrated taVNS to effectively, feasibly, and safely enhance vagal tone. We are now extending this work in a 30-day trial to evaluate whether repeated taVNS can sustainably reduce inflammation, rebalance neurochemistry, and alleviate depression. By restoring vagal tone, we aim to reduce harmful inflammation and its downstream impact on brain health, offering a low-burden, non-pharmacological strategy to improve recovery and mental well-being in people with SCI.
