Using a Transcutaneous Electrical Auricular Stimulator to Harness the Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway

Patients will receive transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the left vagus nerve for 5 minutes. Blood will be withdrawn prior to stimulation and 1 hour following the stimulation. The device is a handheld electrical pulse generator and a pair of electrodes to be placed at the ear for stimulation. The specific target at the ear will be the auricular branch of the vagus nerve which innervates the skin of the ear canal. Electrodes will be placed near/at the entrance to the canal of the ear to provide stimulation to the auricular branch of the vagus nerve.

Patients will receive sham transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the left vagus nerve for 5 minutes. Blood will be withdrawn prior to stimulation and 1 hour following the stimulation. Sham stimulation will be performed in the identical manner as true transcutaneous stimulation except that the patient will not receive electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve.