Dr. John Tesser

Rheumatologist and clinical investigator

Rheumatoid arthritis • bioelectronic medicine • vagus nerve stimulation for autoimmune disease

1Episode

48 minAnalysed

1Topic

Last reviewed: Jun 8, 2026·Credential: MD; rheumatologist; principal investigator on SetPoint Medical RA bioelectronic device trials; active in American College of Rheumatology research initiatives.·First indexed: Jun 8, 2026

About the expert

Focus: Vagus nerve stimulation as a non-immunosuppressive treatment for rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatologist and lead clinical investigator on the SetPoint Medical vagus nerve stimulation device for rheumatoid arthritis. Tesser's group has reported early controlled trial data showing measurable disease activity reductions in patients who had previously failed standard immunosuppressive therapies. Active in the American College of Rheumatology research community.

Why this matters

Clinician-investigator focused on rheumatoid arthritis and the SetPoint Medical vagus nerve stimulation device trials. Tends to view bioelectronic medicine as a credible third category of intervention alongside drugs and surgery, while acknowledging the surgical and long-term-data uncertainties that remain.

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Topics covered

Rheumatoid Arthritis (Human)

Episodes with Dr. John Tesser

Tesser on vagus nerve stimulation as a non-drug approach to rheumatoid arthritis

An implantable device the size of a penny may treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) — one minute of daily activation of the body's own anti-inflammatory reflex, instead of immunosuppressive drugs. Clinical trials in patients who failed standard therapies show meaningful reductions in disease activity. The approach may be especially useful for people who cannot tolerate drugs or who struggle with complex injection regimens.

48 minHuman

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