taVNS in Mild to Moderate Parkinson's Disease

Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) in Mild to Moderate Parkinson's Disease

The purpose of this study is to find out whether a non-invasive form of nerve stimulation called transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is safe and effective in people with Parkinson's Disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age: 40-79 y
• Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis
• Disease Stage: Hoehn and Yahr stage 2-3
• Patient requires a minimum of 3 doses of levodopa daily
• Willingness to be videotaped

Exclusion criteria:

• Dementia or Montreal Cognitive Assessment score <24
• Parkinson's Disease psychosis
• Ear trauma
• Facial pain
• Traumatic Brain Injury or clinical history of stroke
• Metal implants above the shoulders
• History of myocardial infarction or arrhythmia, bradycardia
• Active respiratory disorder
• Alcohol or substance use disorders
• History of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) or other brain surgery
• Epilepsy
• Pregnancy
• B-Blockers, dopamine blocking agent, antiarrhythmic medication, acetylcholine esterase inhibitor, midodrine, florinef, droxidopa, or anticholinergic drugs