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September 7, 2026StressOpen Access

Transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation linked to improved cardiovascular and autonomic function in PTSD and OUD.

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Why the study?

Vagus nerve stimulation affects autonomic function by enhancing parasympathetic activity and suppressing sympathetic activity, presenting potential therapeutic applications in stress-related psychiatric disorders characterized by increased sympathetic function.

Does transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation improve autonomic function in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder and opioid use disorder?

Population

Patients with PTSD and OUD

Comparison

Transcutaneous cervical VNS

Design

Review

Key result

Transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation favorably affected autonomic tone, cardiovascular function, and inflammatory responses in patients with PTSD and opioid use disorder.

Authors

JBJ. Douglas BremnerAGAsim H. GaziNGNil Z. Gurel

Discussion

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Overview

May support tcVNS for autonomic dysregulation in PTSD/OUD; leaves open need for RCTs before clinical adoption.

Key Points

  • Review the physiological effects of transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation on autonomic dysregulation in posttraumatic stress disorder and opioid use disorder.
  • Synthesized physiological and neurobiological findings from clinical studies evaluating transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation (tcVNS) in patients with PTSD and OUD.
  • Evaluated physiological outcomes captured via functional brain imaging, inflammatory blood biomarkers, and wearable sensing devices.
  • tcVNS enhanced parasympathetic activity and suppressed sympathetic overactivity, reducing stress-related autonomic dysregulation.
  • Non-invasive stimulation modulated cardiovascular parameters, reduced inflammatory responses, and influenced central brain circuits involved in emotional processing.

Structured PICO

Does transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation improve autonomic function in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder and opioid use disorder?

P
Population
Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and opioid use disorder (OUD)
I
Intervention
Transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation (tcVNS)
O
Outcome
Effects on autonomic tone, cardiovascular function, inflammatory responses, and central brain areas involved in the modulation of emotionsurrogate

Transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation shows promise as a neurobiologically-based intervention for mitigating autonomic dysregulation in stress-related disorders like PTSD and OUD.

Cite This Study

Bremner et al. (2026) conducted a review in Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and opioid use disorder (OUD). Transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation (tcVNS) was evaluated. Transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation favorably affected autonomic tone, cardiovascular function, and inflammatory responses in patients with PTSD and opioid use disorder.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9e85a2c3034f961570de3bhttps://doi.org/10.1080/10253890.2026.2726826
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Transcutaneous Cervical Vagal Nerve Stimulation Reduces Sympathetic Responses to Stress in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder2020 · 2 citations
  2. 2Quantifying acute physiological biomarkers of transcutaneous cervical vagal nerve stimulation in the context of psychological stress2019 · 92 citations
  3. 3Transcutaneous cervical vagal nerve stimulation reduces sympathetic responses to stress in posttraumatic stress disorder: A double-blind, randomized, sham controlled trial2020 · 73 citations
  4. 4Application of Noninvasive Vagal Nerve Stimulation to Stress-Related Psychiatric Disorders2020 · 82 citations
  5. 5Noninvasive Cervical Vagal Nerve Stimulation Alters Brain Activity During Traumatic Stress in Individuals With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder2021 · 36 citations