Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation Reduces Withdrawal-Related Affective Distress and Improves Functional Outcomes in Alcohol Use Disorder: A Feasibility and Acceptability Pilot Study
To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore cervical nVNS as a potential new treatment for AUD-related symptoms. Findings provide support for feasibility of treatment delivery and patient acceptance, and initial evidence that nVNS can achieve significant reductions in depressive symptoms in addition to adverse alcohol-related consequences and psychosocial functional limitations in AUD.
Authors
- Irina A. Strigo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8799-716X)
- Katia M. Harlé (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5493-5245)
- Imanuel Lerman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6564-7222)
- Alan N. Simmons (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3963-2112)
- Sonya B. Norman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4751-1882)
- Andrea D. Spadoni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8367-6406)
- Ruth Klaming (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1451-5390)
Institutions
- San Francisco VA Medical Center (US)
- UC San Diego Health System (US)
- VA San Diego Healthcare System (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Neuromodulation Technology at the Neural Interface
- Published
- 2025-09-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurom.2025.08.413
- Primary Topic
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health