electroCore Announces First Patient Enrollment in Investigator-Led Study of gammaCore™ nVNS for PTSD
Rhea-AI Summary
electroCore (Nasdaq: ECOR) announced enrollment of the first eight patients in an investigator-led study evaluating gammaCore non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) as an adjunctive treatment for PTSD.
The study will enroll up to 40 adults, assess outcomes over a 12-week treatment period, and run approximately 10 months. Primary endpoints are treatment-related serious adverse events and change in CAPS-5 total score at 12 weeks. electroCore is providing an educational grant and devices.
Positive
- First 8 patients enrolled in the PTSD nVNS study
- Study size planned at up to 40 adult participants
- Company support via educational grant and provision of gammaCore devices
Negative
- Preliminary data only; study is intended to generate preliminary safety and effectiveness results
- Results timeline extends roughly 10 months before study completion and readouts
News Market Reaction – ECOR
In the Apr 7 session, ECOR declined 4.69%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -3.3% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 5 alerts that day, indicating moderate 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 01 | Clinical publication | Positive | +9.4% | Post-hoc analysis showed nVNS benefit in mTBI patients with comorbid PTSD. |
| Mar 31 | Management hires | Positive | +6.9% | Executive appointments and RSU inducement grants under NASDAQ listing rules. |
| Mar 30 | IP expansion | Positive | -3.8% | Two new U.S. patents expanded nVNS coverage though shares fell post-announcement. |
| Mar 19 | Full-year earnings | Negative | -4.7% | Record 2025 sales but continued GAAP losses and CEO transition weighed on shares. |
| Mar 10 | Conference participation | Neutral | -2.1% | Roth Conference participation update coincided with a modest share price decline. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent ECOR news has often seen positive alignment on clinical, hiring, and earnings updates, but IP and conference-related items have drawn more muted or negative reactions.
Over the past month, ECOR reported multiple developments supporting its nVNS platform. On Mar 19, full-year 2025 results showed record $32.0M net sales with ongoing losses and leadership changes. Subsequent news on Mar 30 expanded its patent estate beyond 160 U.S. patents, and late March brought executive hires and inducement grants. On Apr 1, ECOR highlighted positive post‑hoc data in mTBI with PTSD. Today’s PTSD-focused enrollment update extends this neuropsychiatric narrative.
Key Terms
non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation medical
ptsd medical
clinician-administered ptsd scale (caps-5) medical
ptsd checklist (pcl-5) medical
clinical global impression (cgi) medical
neuromodulation medical
adjunctive treatment medical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
ROCKAWAY, N.J., April 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- electroCore, Inc. (Nasdaq: ECOR), a commercial-stage bioelectronic medicine and wellness company, announced today the enrollment of the first eight patients in a clinical study being conducted by Acacia Clinics in collaboration with the Vagus Nerve Society.
As previously announced, the study is designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of electroCore’s gammaCore™ non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) device as an adjunctive treatment for symptoms associated with PTSD. The study is expected to enroll up to 40 adult participants and will assess outcomes over a 12-week treatment period.
The primary safety endpoint is the incidence of treatment-related serious adverse events, and the primary efficacy endpoint is the change from baseline in the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) total score at 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints include changes in PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) scores and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) ratings.
“The enrollment of the first eight patients marks an important milestone in advancing research into non-invasive neuromodulation as a potential adjunctive treatment for PTSD,” said Dr. Peter Staats, Chief Medical Officer of electroCore and President of the Vagus Nerve Society. “We are encouraged by the growing interest in bioelectronic approaches that may offer patients additional therapeutic options beyond standard of care, particularly for PTSD, where effective treatment options remain limited.”
The study is led by Danielle DeSouza, MSc, PhD, Vice President of Research at Acacia Clinics, and Noah DeGaetano, MD. The study is sponsored by the Vagus Nerve Society, with electroCore providing an educational grant and gammaCore devices.
“We are pleased to initiate patient enrollment in this study evaluating nVNS in PTSD,” said Dr. DeSouza. “There remains a significant unmet need for effective adjunctive therapies, and this research will help further our understanding of the role vagus nerve stimulation may play in addressing both the neurological and physiological components of PTSD.”
The study is anticipated to run for approximately 10 months and is intended to generate preliminary safety and effectiveness data to inform future research in neuropsychiatric applications of nVNS.
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 Mr. 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 nVNS for adjunctive treatment of symptoms associated with PTSD, the Company’s relationship with the Vagus Nerve Society and Acacia Clinics, the anticipated timeline and enrollment of the clinical study, 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,” "may," "potential," 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, inherent uncertainties associated with clinical studies, including the ability to enroll sufficient numbers of patients, the ability of the Company to develop and commercialize new products or technologies, its ability to obtain regulatory clearance or approval for new indications, electroCore’s results of operations and financial performance, inflation and currency fluctuations, and any expectations electroCore may have with respect thereto, as well as 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
