Condition · Evidence Hub
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Neuroimaging
Does vagus nerve stimulation help with neuroimaging? 33 human studies have investigated VNS for neuroimaging, including 3 RCTs, 23 controlled trials, and 5 observational studies, published between 1998 and 2025, with 9 published since 2022. Studies use transcutaneous auricular (taVNS), implanted (iVNS), and transcutaneous cervical (tcVNS) stimulation. Findings vary by study design and population; the studies below are ranked by evidence strength so you can weigh the research directly.
3 RCTs · 23 controlled trials · 5 observational studies · 2 narrative reviews
Evidence by Tier
strongest → weakest
- 3Randomised controlled trials
- 23Controlled clinical trials
- 5Observational & cohort studies
- 2Narrative & scoping reviews
Stimulation Method
- 24taVNS
- 7iVNS
- 2tcVNS
Research Momentum
9 of 33 studies (27%) published since 2022.
The studies
33 studies · strongest evidence firstCognitive function and brain activation before and after transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation in healthy adults: A concurrent tcVNS-fMRI study
Zhang et al. · Frontiers in psychology · 2022
RCTstaVNSOptimization of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation using functional MRI
Yakunina et al. · Neuromodulation · 2017
RCTstaVNSNon-invasive access to the vagus nerve central projections via electrical stimulation of the external ear: fMRI evidence in humans
Frangos et al. · Brain Stimulation · 2015 · n = 12
RCTstaVNSThe impact of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on anterior cingulate cortex activity in a cognitive control task
Sönmez et al. · Psychophysiology · 2025
controlled trialstaVNSThe Neural Basis of the Effect of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Emotion Regulation Related Brain Regions: An rs-fMRI Study
Zhang et al. · IEEE transactions on neural systems and rehabilitation engineering : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society · 2024
controlled trialstaVNSTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation can modulate fronto-parietal brain networks
Han et al. · Frontiers in neuroscience · 2024
controlled trialstaVNSIdentifying responders to vagus nerve stimulation based on microstructural features of thalamocortical tracts in drug-resistant epilepsy
Berger et al. · Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics · 2024
controlled trialstaVNSCompatibility of Standard Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Investigational Microburst Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy with fMRI
Middlebrooks et al. · AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology · 2024
controlled trialstaVNS[Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on functional connectivity in the related brain regions of patients with depression based on the resting-state fMRI]
Ma et al. · Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion · 2023
controlled trialstaVNSVagus nerve afferent stimulation: Projection into the brain, reflexive physiological, perceptual, and behavioral responses, and clinical relevance
Komisaruk et al. · Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinical · 2022
controlled trialstcVNSTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve immediate stimulation treatment for treatment-resistant depression: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Ma et al. · Frontiers in neurology · 2022
controlled trialstaVNSTranscutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in humans induces pupil dilation and attenuates alpha oscillations
Sharon et al. · The Journal of Neuroscience · 2021 · n = 24
controlled trialstaVNSTechnical Note: Modulation of fMRI brainstem responses by transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation
Borgmann et al. · NeuroImage · 2021
controlled trialstaVNSStimulus frequency modulates brainstem response to respiratory-gated transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation
Sclocco et al. · Brain Stimulation · 2020 · n = 30
controlled trialstaVNSNoninvasive vagus nerve stimulation and the trigeminal autonomic reflex: An fMRI study
Möller et al. · Neurology · 2020
controlled trialsiVNSThe influence of respiration on brainstem and cardiovagal response to auricular vagus nerve stimulation: A multimodal ultrahigh-field (7T) fMRI study
Sclocco et al. · Brain Stimulation · 2019 · n = 16
controlled trialstaVNSTransauricular vagus nerve stimulation at auricular acupoints Kindey (CO10), Yidan (CO11), Liver (CO12) and Shenmen (TF4) can induce auditory and limbic cortices activation measured by fMRI
Peng et al. · Hearing research · 2018 · n = 8
controlled trialstaVNSAccess to vagal projections via cutaneous electrical stimulation of the neck: fMRI evidence in healthy humans
Frangos et al. · Brain Stimulation · 2017 · n = 13
controlled trialstcVNSCNS BOLD fMRI effects of sham-controlled transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the left outer auditory canal - a pilot study
Kraus et al. · Brain Stimulation · 2013 · n = 16
controlled trialstaVNSBrain blood-flow change with acute vagus nerve stimulation in treatment-refractory major depressive disorder
Conway et al. · Brain Stimulation · 2012 · n = 13
controlled trialsiVNSA novel transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation leads to brainstem and cerebral activations measured by functional MRI
Dietrich et al. · Biomedizinische Technik · 2008 · n = 4
controlled trialstaVNSBOLD fMRI deactivation of limbic and temporal brain structures and mood enhancing effect by transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation
Kraus et al. · Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) · 2007 · n = 22
controlled trialstaVNSBOLD fMRI activation induced by vagus nerve stimulation in seizure patients
Liu et al. · Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry · 2003
controlled trialstaVNSCerebral activation during vagus nerve stimulation: a functional MR study
Narayanan et al. · Epilepsia · 2002
controlled trialstaVNSVagus nerve stimulation (VNS) synchronized BOLD fMRI suggests that VNS in depressed adults has frequency/dose dependent effects
Lomarev et al. · Journal of psychiatric research · 2002
controlled trialstaVNSFeasibility of vagus nerve stimulation-synchronized blood oxygenation level-dependent functional MRI
Bohning et al. · Investigative Radiology · 2001 · n = 9
controlled trialsiVNSModulation of brainstem activity and connectivity by respiratory-gated auricular vagal afferent nerve stimulation in migraine patients
Garcia et al. · Pain · 2017 · n = 32
observational studiestaVNSCerebral blood flow changes during vagus nerve stimulation for depression
Conway et al. · Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging · 2006 · n = 4
observational studiesiVNSAcute vagus nerve stimulation using different pulse widths produces varying brain effects
Mu et al. · Biological Psychiatry · 2004 · n = 12
observational studiesiVNSAcute blood flow changes and efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation in partial epilepsy
Henry et al. · Neurology · 1999 · n = 11
observational studiesiVNSBrain blood flow alterations induced by therapeutic vagus nerve stimulation in partial epilepsy: I. Acute effects at high and low levels of stimulation
Henry et al. · Epilepsia · 1998 · n = 10
observational studiesiVNSNeurophysiologic effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) via electrical stimulation of the tragus: A concurrent taVNS/fMRI study and review
Badran et al. · Brain stimulation · 2018
narrative reviewstaVNSA review of functional neuroimaging studies of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
Chae et al. · Journal of psychiatric research · 2003
narrative reviewstaVNS