Researchers Develop Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Tech for Depression Relief

Researchers from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Electromedical Products International, Inc. (EPI), have made a significant breakthrough in effectively treating depression in just five daily sessions.
 
The initial clinical trial was recently published in the American Journal of Psychiatry and demonstrated a pronounced reduction in symptom severity in people with major depressive disorder.
 
The technology works by delivering personalized brain stimulation in response to real-time measurements of brain activity. Stimulation targets a specific rhythmic electric activity pattern known to be disrupted in major depressive disorder. During each session, EPI’s device adjusts the mild electric waveform delivered to the patient based on the brain’s response to the stimulation.
 
Researchers identified a strong correlation between successful modulation of the targeted electric brain activity and symptom reduction. From the clinical trial, 80% of patients were found to be free of clinical depression symptoms when assessed by a psychiatrist two weeks after completing treatment.
 
The study also highlighted how successful modulation of the targeted electric brain activity predicted symptom reduction, offering a promising new approach to treating this complex disorder.
 
“We are thrilled about these highly promising results and are eager to rapidly move forward with a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of this technology,” said Dr. Leah Townsend, Chief Science Officer of EPI. 
 
Brian Burke, President of EPI, added, “We knew we had a winning technology when we first saw the results of this initial clinical trial. This breakthrough highlights the potential market impact of our closed-loop brain stimulation technology and reinforces our dedication to innovation.”