New hope for PTSD Sufferers: UT Dallas Leads Breakthrough VNS Research
A promising new treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is emerging from teh University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), offering potential relief too the millions who don’t respond to traditional therapies. Researchers are pioneering the use of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) – a technique involving a small,implantable device – to address the debilitating condition.
According to the National Center for PTSD, approximately 5% of U.S. adults experience PTSD annually, with women being disproportionately affected.Many patients find existing treatments, including therapy and medication, ineffective due to side effects, relapse, or simply a lack of response. This leaves a significant gap in care, prompting the UT Dallas team to explore innovative solutions.
“We’re focused on finding ways to make existing treatments work better,” explained Dr. Michael Kilgard, a leading researcher on the project. He emphasized that PTSD isn’t limited to military veterans, extending to anyone who has endured a deeply traumatic event - anything that evokes fear for one’s life, bodily harm, or the loss of a loved one.
The VNS device, developed over a decade by Dr. Robert Rennaker and his team, represents a significant leap forward in technology. initially much larger and more expensive, the current wireless iteration is remarkably small – about the size of a dime. Impressively, the 49 individuals in the Dallas area currently using the device have collectively experienced over 100 years of accomplished implantation with no reported issues, and the device doesn’t interfere with standard medical imaging like MRIs, CT scans, or ultrasounds.
Currently, a Phase 2 pilot study is underway in Dallas and Austin, utilizing a double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Researchers are optimistic that this research will pave the way for FDA approval of a novel PTSD treatment, developed and delivered entirely within the UT Dallas system – mirroring thier success in upper-limb recovery after stroke.
Dr. Mark Powers, lead author of the study and director of the Trauma Research Center at baylor Scott & White Research Institute (BSWRI), believes VNS is “changing the game.” he notes that current gold-standard PTSD treatments boast an 85% response rate, leading to diagnosis remission in 40% of patients, but also a 20% dropout rate. “Soon we could have the option of VNS for people who don’t get better with cognitive behavioral therapy alone,” he stated.
The success of this project is attributed to a unique multidisciplinary collaboration between UT Dallas and BSWRI. Dr. Powers highlighted the synergy of having preclinical and clinical researchers working in tandem, fostering a constant exchange of feedback and ideas. “Neither one of our groups could do this alone,” he affirmed.
The research team includes contributions from Dr. Seth hays, Dr. Jane Wigginton, Amy Porter, and Holle Carey Gallaway from UT Dallas, and also researchers from Southern Methodist University, UT Austin, and Baylor Scott & White Health. The project is funded by a grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, underscoring the importance of this work for both civilian and military populations.
