Trial of  gastric electrical stimulation for treatment of obesity in diabetes patients

19 August 2005

Medtronic has announced that it is conducting a feasibility trial, called ASSIST (Appetite Suppression Induced by Stimulation Trial), to test the safety and efficacy of gastric electrical stimulation (GES) for the treatment of obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes. The first implant occurred June 7, 2005, at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, in San Diego. Dr. Mark Sherman performed the implant of the gastric stimulator and two stimulation leads. The leads, or wires, are implanted into the wall of the stomach via laparoscopy.

The ASSIST trial is designed to determine if type 2 diabetes patients with concomitant obesity who receive gastric electrical stimulation have a minimum mean excess weight loss greater than a control group. The trial will evaluate excess weight loss and glycaemic control. The feasibility trial will take place in a small number of select centres in the United States.

"Gastric electrical stimulation could be a solution that provides treatment options for weight loss and subsequent reduction of type 2 diabetes mellitus," said Dr. Daniel Einhorn, an endocrinologist and principal investigator at Scripps La Jolla. "This study brings a multi-disciplined approach to obesity and diabetes management, and provides the opportunity to improve management with other therapeutic and surgical options for obesity."

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