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Vagus Nerve Response in Gastroparesis Patients

High Resolution, Noninvasive Measurement and Functional Classification of Vagal Nerve Response Patterns in Relation to Gastroparesis Symptom Management Using Gastric Electrical Stimulation Therapy

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04207996
Enrollment
40
Registered
2019-12-23
Start date
2019-09-01
Completion date
2026-08-31
Last updated
2026-03-06

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Gastroparesis

Brief summary

This study aims to characterize how vagus nerve compound action potentials (CNAPs) conduct along the vagus nerve in gastroparetic patients receiving GES therapy using a flexible, non-invasive multielectrode array (MEA).

Detailed description

During Phase 1, in a small cohort of 5-10 gastroparetic patients receiving GES therapy, we will determine the optimal multielectrode array (MEA) recording electrode configuration (e.g., surface area covered and electrode density) for the noninvasive measurement of gastric electrical stimulation (GES) evoked compound nerve action potentials (CNAP) from the skin surface over the left and right cervical vagus nerve. During Phase 2, a study of 15-30 gastroparetic patients receiving GES therapy, we will use the optimal MEA configuration identified in Task 1 to measure and classify the vagal CNAP response signature (including the direction of travel and anatomical location of the strongest signal (e.g., to infer the anatomical course of the cervical vagus in each subject) with respect to subject-reported symptom scores via the 9-item Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) survey. We will cross-reference these results with the preliminary results obtained with bipolar ECG electrodes. Phase 1: Subjects will complete a symptom survey questionnaire and Gastric Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) questionnaire. Two electrocardiography (ECG) electrodes will be placed on both sides of the neck overlying the area near the carotid pulse (which overlies the carotid artery in the neck on the side of your neck) where the vagus nerve is located.This is done in order to measure the vagal nerve electrical impulses in the neck (electrical signal travelling in the nerve). Two ECG electrodes will be placed on each of the arms and one on the chest for measurement of electrocardiogram (ECG) ( a test to measure the electrical activity of your heart). Three ECG electrodes may be placed on the stomach to measure the electrical activity of the stomach. After the placement of the electrodes, a 2-5 minute recording will be made.The GES device will be interrogated (data will be obtained) for the settings of the device and these will be recorded by the study team. After the recording, the electrodes will be removed from the neck and a newer kind of electrodes called as MEA (Multi electrode Array)) devices that contain multiple (tens to thousands of small electrodes) will be placed on either one, or both sides of the neck. This film will help capture the vagus signal from a large area and help define the path of the vagus nerve. After the placement of this film with small electrodes, another 2-5 minute recording will be made. The electrodes will then be removed and subject will be allowed to go home. The total time required for Phase 1 will be approximately an hour (60 minutes). Phase 2: Subject will complete a symptom survey questionnaire and Gastric Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) questionnaire. Multiple electrodes (MEA) will be placed on either one or both sides of the neck. One ECG electrodes will be placed on each of the arms, and one on the chest for measurement of electrocardiogram (ECG). Three ECG electrodes will be placed on the stomach to measure the electrical activity of the stomach. After the placement of the electrodes a 2-5 minute recording will be made. The GES device will be interrogated (data will be obtained) for the settings and these will be recorded by the study team. With the GES stimulator on, a 2-5 minute recording will be made. Then, the GES stimulator will be reprogrammed to deliver the signal at 50% of the original power, and another 2-5 minute recording will be made. Then, the device will again be programmed to deliver the signal at 25% of the original power setting on the device. Another 2-5 minute recording will be made. After this, the device will be reprogrammed to the original settings. The electrodes will then be removed and subject will be allowed to go home. The total time required for Phase 2 will be approximately an hour (60 minutes).

Interventions

None listed

Sponsors

Indiana University
Lead SponsorOTHER
Purdue University
CollaboratorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Gastroparetic patient with a stimulator (Enterra Device placed) 2. Aged 18-80 years 3. Willing to have electrodes placed on the neck

Exclusion criteria

1. Unable to provide consent 2. Pregnant females 3. Prisoners

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Optimal MEA configuration3 yearsIdentify the optimal MEA configuration for vagal response capture
GES and symptom survey3 yearsIdentify the compound nerve action potential in each subject and correlate that with the symptom survey data collected for each subject

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORThomas V Nowak, MD

Indiana University

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 7, 2026