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Imaging Brain Fluids During Breathing Study

This study is looking at how breathing patterns affect the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is the fluid that surrounds and protects your brain and spinal cord. Researchers will use special MRI scans to see how CSF moves when you breathe in specific ways or when you receive non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation (a device placed on your ear). They are looking for changes in brain activity (fMRI signals) and CSF movement during these activities. You may be able to join if you are a healthy adult between 18 and 70 years old, do not have certain metal implants, and have no history of major head trauma or neurological conditions. The study is currently recruiting participants.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 81 healthy participants. You will be split into groups to either perform paced breathing tasks or receive transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation.
What's involved
You will have an imaging study visit where your brain activity will be scanned using a 7 Tesla MRI machine while you perform simple tasks, including paced breathing.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Measurements of brain activity and CSF signals will be taken during the 2-hour study visit.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05180981

Imaging Brain Fluids During Breathing

Active, Not Recruiting
NAAges 18–70InterventionalBasic science
Boston University Charles River Campus
~81 participants
Updated 2026-07-27 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulationBreathing task

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals
Measured over During study (2 hours)
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Healthy

Explore related trials

Healthy

Where it's being run

2 sites across 1 states
Massachusetts2

Study leadership

  • Laura Lewis, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Boston University

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adult age 18-70 years

Exclusion

No ferrous metal implanted in head or body
No history of major head trauma
No neurological or psychiatric disorder
Not using medication that affects brain function
No implanted electronic devices (e.g. pacemaker)
No implant that poses an MR contraindication
Not pregnant, suspect they are pregnant, or seeking to become pregnant
Not claustrophobic
No piercings or jewelry that cannot be removed
Does not weigh more than 250 pounds
Normal or contact-corrected normal vision
Conditions of skin or anatomy that affect left auricle or forehead skin and could impact placement of electrodes for tVNS or forehead stimulation
Diagnosis of significant cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease \[e.g. congestive heart failure, stroke, cardiac conduction disorders (including: bundle branch block, heart block, long Q-T syndrome), history of asystole or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia.
Bradycardia (defined as resting heart rate \<50 bpm)
Hypotension defined as blood pressure \<90/60 mmHg

What this trial measures

  • functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signalsDuring study (2 hours)

    fMRI measures of hemodynamic responses. Units: percent signal change

  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) signalsDuring study (2 hours)

    MR-based measures of CSF signals. Units: percent signal change