Overview

• A Phase 1/2 trial demonstrated significant arm and hand function recovery in 19 patients with chronic cervical spinal cord injuries using closed-loop vagus nerve stimulation (CLV).
• The therapy combines a miniaturized implant that delivers timed electrical pulses with individualized rehabilitation exercises.
• Participants saw meaningful improvements regardless of age, injury duration, or severity, challenging long-held beliefs about recovery limits in chronic spinal cord injuries.
• The latest CLV device is 50 times smaller than previous versions and compatible with MRI, CT, and ultrasound imaging.
• Researchers are preparing a 70-patient Phase 3 trial, the final step toward potential FDA approval, though financial, regulatory, and scientific challenges remain.