The purpose of this study is to explore whether a non-invasive form of ear stimulation called transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can manage symptoms in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Additionally, this study also uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to capture images of participants' brains and apply an image processing method called INSCAPE to track brain state changes during taVNS treatment in ASD. We will recruit up to 16 participants with ASD.

This is an open-label pilot study firstly assessing safety and feasibility of a form of ear stimulation called transcutaneous auricular neuromodulation, or tAN, in women with postpartum depression (PPD). Secondly, we will be assessing the impact of at-home tAN on mood, empathy, and physiological markers of sympathetic activity in women with PPD. Participants will learn how to self-administer ear stimulation treatments in the lab before starting the at-home study. Over the course of one week, participants will self-administer ear stimulation treatments three times a day. Each treatment will last up to 60 minutes (1 hour) and there will be a break of at least 30 minutes in between treatments. The study team will ask participants to complete a group of questionnaires at the beginning and end of the study, as well as undergo heart rate variability (HRV) assessments and provide salivary samples. There will also be a smaller number of questionnaires completed electronically at the midpoint of the study. The questionnaires will ask questions about mental health symptoms that subjects may or may not be experiencing, including questions about mood, anxiety, and feelings towards their newborn.