Lessons learned from transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS)
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026

Laboratory Administration of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation taVNS: Technique, Targeting, and Considerations
Published on: January 7, 2019
Hajo M Hamer1, Sebastian Bauer2
1Epilepsy Center Erlangen, Dept. of Neurology, University of Erlangen, Germany.
Abstract:
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is a newly developed method which intends to overcome the disadvantage of surgical implantation of the stimulation device. The tVNS device is designed to stimulate the auricular branch of the vagus nerve via a bipolar electrode attached to the skin of the left ear conch. A randomized, double-blind controlled trial assessed efficacy and safety over 20 weeks of tVNS (n=39) vs. active control tVNS (n=37) in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. While the mean seizure reduction per 28 days at end of treatment (2.9% reduction from baseline in the control group vs 23.4% in the active group) did not reach statistical significance, there was a significant reduction in seizure frequency (34 %) in patients in the tVNS group at the end of the treatment period (20 weeks). TVNS was well-tolerated. The results justify further trials with longer observation periods and possibly at earlier stages of epilepsy.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Avoidance Learning and Learned Helplessness
Avoidance learning occurs when an organism learns that a specific behavior can prevent an unpleasant outcome. For example, a student who receives a bad grade may start studying harder to avoid future poor grades. This behavior persists even when the negative outcome is no longer present. Avoidance learning is powerful because it maintains behavior in the absence of the...
Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
Associative Learning
Classical conditioning, also known...
Purposive Learning
Observational Learning
Introduction to Learning
In contrast to learned behaviors, unlearned behaviors such as crying, sexual...

