Acacia Clinics and Vagus Nerve Society Conduct Study Using electroCore’s gammaCore Sapphire for Adjunctive Treatment of Symptoms Associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (“PTSD”)
Rhea-AI Summary
electroCore (Nasdaq: ECOR) announced a research study with Acacia Clinics and the Vagus Nerve Society testing gammaCore Sapphire as an adjunctive treatment for PTSD symptoms.
The prospective study will enroll up to 40 adults (18–70) over an anticipated 10-month period. The primary safety measure is incidence of treatment-related significant adverse events (SAEs); the primary efficacy endpoint is change from baseline in CAPS-5 total score at 12 weeks (vs baseline/4-week run-in). Secondary outcomes include change in PCL-5 and Clinical Global Index (CGI) at 12 weeks. The study is led by Danielle DeSouza MSc, PhD, sponsored by the Vagus Nerve Society, with electroCore providing an educational grant and devices.
Positive
- Study launched to evaluate gammaCore Sapphire for PTSD symptoms
- Primary efficacy set as CAPS-5 total score change at 12 weeks
- Study will enroll up to 40 subjects aged 18–70
- electroCore providing devices and educational grant
Negative
- Planned sample size is limited to up to 40 subjects
- Primary endpoint measured at 12 weeks, limiting long‑term outcome data
News Market Reaction – ECOR
In the Jan 21 session, ECOR gained 10.17%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +24.8% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 11 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 02 | Clinical study data | Positive | -0.4% | Peer‑reviewed TAC‑STIM study showed significant mood and performance improvements. |
| Nov 10 | Conference participation | Neutral | +1.3% | Management participation at Canaccord Genuity MedTech & Digital Health forum. |
| Nov 05 | Earnings results | Positive | -4.2% | Record Q3 2025 sales growth and raised 2025 revenue guidance with losses narrowing focus. |
| Oct 23 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | +1.4% | Announcement of Q3 2025 results date and investor webinar details. |
| Oct 03 | Inducement grant | Neutral | +0.0% | RSU inducement grant tied to hiring of VP, HR and Employee Success. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Positive or growth-focused news has previously seen mixed to negative next-day moves, while neutral corporate updates have often aligned with modest or flat reactions.
Over the last few months, ECOR has reported record Q3 2025 net sales with raised full‑year revenue guidance, yet the stock declined on that earnings release. A positive TAC‑STIM™ performance study in active‑duty airmen also coincided with a slight next‑day drop. In contrast, neutral items such as conference participation, an earnings date announcement, and an inducement RSU grant saw flat to modestly positive alignment. Today’s PTSD adjunctive‑treatment study fits the pattern of clinical and research expansion around vagus nerve stimulation, extending the company’s evidence base into mental health indications.
Key Terms
non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator medical
clinician-administered PTSD scale (CAPS-5) medical
pcl-5 medical
clinical global index (cgi) medical
significant adverse events (saes) medical
dsm-5 medical
post-traumatic stress disorder medical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
ROCKAWAY, N.J., Jan. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- electroCore, Inc. (Nasdaq: ECOR) (“electroCore” or the “Company”), a bioelectronic technology company, today announced that Acacia Clinics and the Vagus Nerve Society have launched a new research initiative to explore the extent to which gammaCore™ Sapphire, electroCore’s non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator (nVNS), can be used as an adjunctive treatment of symptoms associated with PTSD.
The study entitled “Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation (nVNS) for Adjunctive Treatment of Symptoms Associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,” will be led by Danielle DeSouza MSc, PhD, VP of Research at Acacia Clinics (“the Investigator”). The study will collect data on the safety and effectiveness of gammaCore Sapphire as an adjunctive treatment for the symptoms of PTSD. The primary safety measure for this study is the incidence and occurrence of significant adverse events (SAEs) related to nVNS treatment, while the primary efficacy outcome is the difference from baseline in the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) total score at the 12-week treatment period (versus baseline/4-week run-in period). The CAPS-5 is a semi-structured clinical interview administered by the Investigator and is used to assess index history of DSM-5 defined traumatic event exposure, including the most distressing event, time since exposure, and total number of exposures, as well as frequency and severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms, as evidenced by CAPS-5 total score. The CAPS-5 provides diagnostic status (presence versus absence) of PTSD as well as PTSD symptom severity. A secondary efficacy outcome will include the difference in the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) score, a 20-item self-report questionnaire in which respondents indicate the presence and severity of PTSD symptoms derived from the DSM-5 symptoms of PTSD, and clinical improvement with the Clinical Global Index (CGI) at the 12-week treatment period (versus baseline).
“Post-traumatic stress disorder affects
The study will enroll up to 40 subjects aged between 18 – 70 diagnosed with PTSD and is anticipated to run over 10 months. The study is sponsored by the Vagus Nerve Society and electroCore will be providing an educational grant and gammaCore Sapphire devices.
About Acacia Clinics
Acacia Clinics is a recognized leader in precision neuromodulation and advanced mental health services, drawing on nearly a decade of experience in fMRI-guided TMS. Founded in 2018 by Dr. David Carreon and Dr. Nathan Meng, Acacia is led by an experienced executive team that also includes David Ling, Dr. Noah DeGaetano, and Dr. Danielle DeSouza. Acacia integrates patient-focused care, rigorous clinical research, and industry-leading partnerships to deliver exceptional, evidence-based treatment.
About electroCore, Inc.
electroCore, Inc. is a bioelectronic technology company whose mission is to improve health and quality of life through innovative non-invasive bioelectronic technologies. The Company’s two leading prescription products, gammaCore® non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) and Quell® neurostimulator, treat chronic pain syndromes through non-invasive neuromodulation technology. Additionally, the company commercializes its handheld, and personal use Truvaga™ and TAC-STIM™ nVNS products utilizing bioelectronic technologies to promote general wellness and human performance.
For more information, visit www.electrocore.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and other written and oral statements made by representatives of electroCore may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the anticipated results from the study using gammaCore-Sapphire for adjunctive treatment of symptoms associated with PTSD, the Company’s relationship with the Vagus Nerve Society and Acacia Clinics, the Company’s future business strategies, growth opportunities, prospects, product development, and market expansion, and other statements that are not historical in nature, particularly those that utilize terminology such as “anticipates,” “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” and other words of similar meaning, derivations of such words and the use of future dates. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the ability to use strategic partnerships to provide more accessibility to those looking to purchase our consumer devices, the inherent uncertainties associated with developing new products or technologies, the ability to commercialize its products, electroCore’s results of operations and financial performance, inflation and currency fluctuations, and any expectations electroCore may have with respect thereto, competition in the industry in which electroCore operates and overall economic and market conditions. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and electroCore assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factor disclosure set forth in the reports and other documents electroCore files with the SEC available at www.sec.gov.
Contact:
ECOR Investor Relations
(973) 302-9253
investors@electrocore.com
