St Jude awarded patent for neurostimulation therapy for depression

29 April 2008

St Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ) has been awarded a US patent for treating depression using neurostimulation therapy in an area of the brain known as Brodmann Area 25.

Brodmann Area 25 is a structure within the subcollosal gyrus region of the brain. It is the focus of the St Jude Medical BROADEN (Brodmann Area 25 deep brain Neuromodulation) study, which is evaluating whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy can help people who suffer from major depressive disorder, a severe form of depression. This study is being conducted under a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational Device Exemption (IDE), which was announced in February 2008.

“This patent is a cornerstone in developing our approach to deep brain stimulation for depression, which is the leading cause of disability in the US among illnesses,” said Chris Chavez, president of St Jude Medical’s ANS Division. “The BROADEN study provides hope for a meaningful new therapy to the millions of patients still seeking treatment for their severe depression.”

The first patient, a woman from Chicago, was enrolled in the BROADEN study on 4th April. The patient will be implanted with the Libra Deep Brain Stimulation System, an investigational device, at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Chicago.

“There is a tremendous need for research in the area of major depressive disorder, particularly among those who have exhausted other treatment options,” said Anthony D'Agostino, MD, medical director of Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital and the principal investigator at the study site. “We hope that our participation in the study will add to the body of research previously conducted for patients suffering from depression and, if possible, shed some light on what type of patient is most likely to benefit.”

The Libra Deep Brain Stimulation System, which is being evaluated in this study, is designed to deliver mild pulses of current from a device implanted near the collarbone and connected to small electrical leads placed at specific targets in the brain.

In the US, more than 21 million adults suffer from some kind of depressive disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Since only about 80% can be effectively treated with currently available therapies, approximately 4 million adult Americans live with depression that does not respond to medications, psychotherapy or electroconvulsive therapy. The World Health Organization estimates that depression affects about 121 million people worldwide.

Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames.	Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. St Jude awarded patent for neurostimulation therapy for depression 29 April 2008 St Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ) has been awarded a US patent for treating depression using neurostimulation therapy in an area of the brain known as Brodmann Area 25. Brodmann Area 25 is a structure within the subcollosal gyrus region of the brain. It is the focus of the St Jude Medical BROADEN (Brodmann Area 25 deep brain Neuromodulation) study, which is evaluating whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy can help people who suffer from major depressive disorder, a severe form of depression. This study is being conducted under a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational Device Exemption (IDE), which was announced in February 2008. “This patent is a cornerstone in developing our approach to deep brain stimulation for depression, which is the leading cause of disability in the US among illnesses,” said Chris Chavez, president of St Jude Medical’s ANS Division. “The BROADEN study provides hope for a meaningful new therapy to the millions of patients still seeking treatment for their severe depression.” The first patient, a woman from Chicago, was enrolled in the BROADEN study on 4th April. The patient will be implanted with the Libra Deep Brain Stimulation System, an investigational device, at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Chicago. “There is a tremendous need for research in the area of major depressive disorder, particularly among those who have exhausted other treatment options,” said Anthony D'Agostino, MD, medical director of Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital and the principal investigator at the study site. “We hope that our participation in the study will add to the body of research previously conducted for patients suffering from depression and, if possible, shed some light on what type of patient is most likely to benefit.” The Libra Deep Brain Stimulation System, which is being evaluated in this study, is designed to deliver mild pulses of current from a device implanted near the collarbone and connected to small electrical leads placed at specific targets in the brain. In the US, more than 21 million adults suffer from some kind of depressive disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Since only about 80% can be effectively treated with currently available therapies, approximately 4 million adult Americans live with depression that does not respond to medications, psychotherapy or electroconvulsive therapy. The World Health Organization estimates that depression affects about 121 million people worldwide. Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. To top	Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames.