NCT07214194 · NOT YET RECRUITING
Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Enhance Memory in Aging
This study tests whether a gentle, non-invasive device that stimulates a nerve through the ear can improve memory formation in cognitively healthy older adults. It also asks whether the effect depends on gut and brain health. Phase is not applicable, which is common for device studies. It is an early research question, not a proven or approved approach.
You may qualify if
- Ages 18-30 years or 65-80 years
- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision (visual acuity)
- Fluent in English
You're excluded if
- Pregnant
- Symptoms of memory loss
- History of a neurological, psychiatric, or medical condition that could affect cognition or preclude MRI or pupillometry
- Use of medications known to alter cognition
- For older adults, neuropsychological performance that falls outside 1.5 standard deviations of age-adjusted norms and no self-reported memory or attention complaints
The sponsor's own eligibility wording, lightly reformatted. The study team makes the final eligibility decision — worth discussing with your doctor.
Eligibility criteria as of 2025-10-09