Tag Archives: University of Colorado

Shocking Vagus Nerve Stimulation Could Rewire the Injured Brain

Diagram of vagus nerve stimulation therapy including brainstem, vagus nerve, implanted pulse generator, heart, lungs, esophagus, and diaphragm

In 2025, the New York Times reported on a neuroscientist who has likened the vagus nerve to “a brake system in your car.” A May 18, 2026 New York Times piece, though, explored whether vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can genuinely improve health or is simply a “scam”. This has brought renewed attention to a therapy that researchers have been quietly refining for decades; as the vagus nerve, a sprawling cranial nerve connecting the brain to major organs, has become one of neuroscience’s most compelling therapeutic targets, particularly in brain injury recovery.

Researchers in various institutions have demonstrated a direct connection between the VNS and the brain’s learning centers. Almost 4 years ago, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus findings discovered that this connection may lead to treatments improving cognitive retention in both healthy and injured nervous systems. Senior author Cristin Welle, Ph.D., stated: “We concluded that there is a direct connection between the vagus nerve, the cholinergic system that regulates certain aspects of brain function, and motor cortex neurons that are essential in learning new skills.” A 2025 observational study available in the NIH database, and published in Frontiers in Neurology, found that non-invasive VNS was associated with reduced neuroinflammation and recovery in patients with mild traumatic brain injury experiencing persistent post-concussion symptoms.

VNS is also established as a treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy, a condition that can follow traumatic brain injury. However, a 2026 review drawing on PubMed data found that airway-related side effects such as hoarseness, cough, and shortness of breath were the most common reactions, with most resolving after adjustments to stimulation settings. A 2025 meta-analysis confirmed that complications from implanted VNS are generally mild and transient, with adverse events decreasing over time. Researchers continue urging caution, noting that larger randomized trials are still needed before VNS becomes a standard of care for brain injury rehabilitation.

Your Eyes Can Reveal What’s In Your Brain

In March 2026, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus published the results of a study that reveals high-speed eye-tracking technology can detect lasting neurological damage from mild traumatic brain injuries. More so, it showed that the damage that can be detected may be completely invisible to MRI scans, CT imaging, and routine clinical exams. This matters enormously. Current standard concussion assessments are largely subjective and can result in patients being told they’ve recovered when their brains are still struggling.

At the CU’s Marcus Institute for Brain Health, researchers tested 78 military veterans and measured subtle disruptions in eye movement that expose hidden neural damage. The findings were sobering: deficits persisted 10 to 15 years after the original injury. As Dr. Jeffrey Hebert, who led the study, noted, “Even when someone feels recovered, their brain may still be working differently behind the scenes.” Funded by the Department of Defense, this technology offers something conventional medicine currently cannot – objective, documented proof of brain trauma.

Man’s Best Friend Aids Brain Injury Recovery

Dogs are proving to be powerful partners in brain injury rehabilitation, offering benefits across physical, emotional, and speech therapy alike.

A March 2026 story from the University of Colorado Health (UCHealth) system documented Alan Tay, a 71-year-old stroke survivor who credits his border collie Olay with driving his recovery. Working with a neurological physical therapist, Alan used dog agility training to rebuild endurance, coordination, and memory – ultimately winning a national canine competition just three months after his stroke. Emotionally, dogs combat the depression and isolation that frequently accompany brain injury. The above-mentioned UCHealth story also notes that Olay gave Alan the will to push through. An NIH-funded clinical trial confirmed that service dogs may meaningfully reduce PTSD symptoms in military members and veterans.

Dogs can assist with speech recovery, as well. Research shows that aphasia patients produce more verbal and nonverbal communication around therapy dogs, which respond to tone and gesture rather than specific words. Speech therapy in such a uniquely low-pressure and therapeutic environment is highly beneficial for language practice.

The bipartisan SAVES Act, which reached the Senate calendar in February 2026, would fund service dogs for veterans with TBI and PTSD. Introduced by Rep. Morgan Luttrell (TX) on April 2, 2025, H.R.2605 explicitly lists “Traumatic brain injury” as a covered condition, recognizing that a trained service dog can be “optimal for the veteran to manage the disability, condition, or diagnosis and live independently.” In March 2026, America’s VetDogs launched a national campaign during this Brain Injury Awareness Month that highlights service dogs’ life-changing impact for TBI survivors, particularly as it relates to counter-balance support and deep pressure therapy.