The Efficacy of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Individuals With Tiletamine Use Disorder

Effect of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Patients With Tiletamine Use Disorder: A Randomized Double-Blind Sham-Controlled Trial

Participants diagnosed with tiletamine use disorder will be assigned to active or sham taVNS for 5 days. Clinical outcomes ( e.g., behavioral paradigms measures and clinical scales ) and physiological markers (e.g., EEG and ECG) will be evaluated at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-ups to determine therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of action.

Tiletamine use disorder has emerged as a significant public health concern characterized by persistent psychological craving and high relapse rates. This randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate whether transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can reduce craving levels and improve other outcomes in individuals with tiletamine dependence. Multimodal assessments including electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG) , behavioral paradigms measures and clinical scales will be conducted before and after the treatment.

This study seeks to establish a non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation strategy for substance use disorders and explore the treatment mechanism.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-60 years ≥6 years of education[7.1] DSM-5 diagnosis of substance use disorder related to tiletamine Tiletamine use ≥6 months and ≥1 time/week Ability to provide informed consent Willingness to complete follow-up assessments

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe cognitive impairment History of epilepsy, brain injury, neurological disease or serious psychiatric disease Use of cognition-enhancing medications within 6 months Other psychoactive substance abuse within past 5 years (except nicotine) Metal implants in the head or severe skin sensitivity