Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2025, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (12): 3388-3399.doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-24-00945

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Optimizing non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for treatment in stroke

Sheharyar S. Baig1, *, Samantha Dorney1 , Mudasar Aziz2 , Simon M. Bell1 , Ali N. Ali1 , Li Su1 , Jessica N. Redgrave1 , Arshad Majid1, *   

  1. 1 Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK;  2 Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Doncaster, UK
  • Online:2025-12-15 Published:2025-03-13
  • Contact: Sheharyar S. Baig, sbaig1@sheffield.ac.uk; Arshad Majid, MD, Arshad.majid@sheffield.ac.uk.
  • Supported by:
    SSB holds an Association of British Neurologists Doctoral Research Fellowship co-funded by the Berkeley Foundation and the Stroke Association. SMB is supported by a NIHR Academic Clinical Lectureship in Neurology CL-2020-04-004 NIHR. SSB, ANA, JNR, SMB, and AM are supported by the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility (CRF). AM is supported by NIHR EME Project Grant NIHR133169. LS is funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK Senior Research Fellowship (ARUK-SRF2017B-1). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

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Abstract: Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide. There is an unmet need for neuromodulatory therapies that can mitigate against neurovascular injury and potentially promote neurological recovery. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation has been demonstrated to show potential therapeutic effects in both acute and chronic stroke. However, previously published research has only investigated a narrow range of stimulation settings and indications. In this review, we detail the ongoing studies of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in stroke through systematic searches of registered clinical trials. We summarize the upcoming clinical trials of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in stroke, highlighting their indications, parameter settings, scope, and limitations. We further explore the challenges and barriers associated with the implementation of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in acute stroke and stroke rehabilitation, focusing on critical aspects such as stimulation settings, target groups, biomarkers, and integration with rehabilitation interventions.

Key words: neuromodulation,  , neuroplasticity,  , rehabilitation,  , stroke,  , vagal nerve stimulation,  , vagus nerve stimulation