Research & Clinical Studies

Research themes

Human neuroimmune models

Controlled inflammatory and stress challenges help us study variation in human physiological and molecular responses.

Neural sensing and biomarkers

We develop methods to measure central and peripheral neural activity before and after inflammatory challenges, and identify biomarkers responsive to neuromodulation.

Focused ultrasound and neuromodulation

We investigate splenic ultrasound to modulate immune responses and develop ultrasound-powered approaches for trigeminal neuralgia.

AI for physiological and clinical data

We develop models combining physiological signals, electronic health records, and molecular biomarkers to investigate infection risk and mental health outcomes.

Clinical studies

Our clinical research evaluates how neuromodulation affects inflammation, pain, and function. Statuses below reflect ClinicalTrials.gov records reviewed October 31, 2026.

At-home ULTRA • Rheumatoid arthritis

Active, not recruiting. A randomized, sham-controlled, multicenter device study evaluating at-home splenic ultrasound in adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. The registry lists phase as not applicable.

Study details: NCT07163221

Vagus nerve stimulation • PTSD

Completed March 31, 2025. This study investigated inflammatory biomarkers, brain responses to pain, PTSD symptoms, and quality of life in Veterans. Completion does not establish treatment effectiveness.

Study details: NCT03858985

UNITE • COVID-19

Registry status unknown. A pilot study designed to evaluate splenic ultrasound and systemic inflammation in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The last known status was active, not recruiting; the record was last updated in December 2021.

Study details: NCT04803409

Research support

We gratefully acknowledge the agencies, foundations, collaborators, and donors who have supported our research program. The list below includes support for current and past projects.

Funding:

DARPA/ARPA Focused Ultrasound Spleen Stimulation in a Hyperinflammation Model
NIH/BluePrint MedTech: A Novel Ultrasound Powered Device to Treat Trigeminal Neuralgia
David and Janice Katz Neural Sensor Research Fund in Memory of Allen E. Wolf
Medical CBRN Defense Consortium (MCDC) and SecondWave Systems. Ultrasound Neural and Immunomodulation Treatment Evaluation Study (UCSD-SW) for COVID-19 .
Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority (BARDA) #7515011900038: In-vivo Vagus Sentinels to Detect and Prevent Infection.
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) KR Award # 304125-0001: Novel Vagus Nerve Signaling to Improve Learning Throughout Adverse Sleep Challenge (NOVEL-TASC).
Career Development Program - Panel I (RRD8) #1IK2RX002920-01A: Vagal nerve stimulation to probe inflammation and brain in posttraumatic stress
Katz Neural Engineering Fund: Funding focused ultrasound neurostimulation device development.
NEVRO LLC: Functional Neuroimaging to Identify Antinociceptive Neural Signatures of High Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation.
Center for Stress Mental Health (CESAMH): Funding pilot project development.

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