Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Children

Safety, Tolerability and Neurophysiological Response of Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Children Without Brain Injury

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about brain waves during transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in healthy children.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

• What is the safety, tolerability, and physiological response of taVNS in children?
• Does the electroencephalogram (EEG) change during taVNS?

Participants will

• undergo a brief titration session where taVNS will be titrated to below perceptual threshold
• receive one session of 30 minutes of taVNS
• undergo clinical EEG monitoring during taVNS
• Continuous cardiorespiratory monitoring via pulse oximetry and blood pressure every 5 minutes
• Answer tolerability questions before, during and after 30 minute taVNS session

Inclusion Criteria:

• Admitted for clinical EEG for spell characterization at investigator's institution

Exclusion Criteria:

• known history of brain injury
• known history of bradycardia
• congenital heart disease
• pregnant
• pacemaker or wearable defibrillator
• undergoing active cancer treatment