Medtronic plans clinical trial of deep brain stimulation as depression treatment

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., April 25 - Based on study results presented at an international neurosurgical meeting, Medtronic, Inc. said it intends to pursue a clinical trial of the company's deep brain stimulation (DBS) technology in the treatment of severe and intractable depression, a disabling form of the psychiatric disorder affecting millions of people worldwide.

Preliminary plans for the trial, which will involve teams of neurosurgeons and psychiatrists from multiple medical centers, were announced at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons meeting in San Francisco.

At the meeting, Medtronic made two presentations about DBS therapy in the treatment of intractable depression and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), including clinical data from several physician-sponsored studies supported by Medtronic.

"While not a cure, DBS has allowed these patients to return to much more functional and happy lives," Cleveland Clinic neurosurgeon Ali Rezai said in a company news release.

"These encouraging results will likely lead to further use of DBS in patients with both OCD and depression."

Medtronic is a medical technology company based in Minneapolis.

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