MINERAL WELLS, Texas, August 28, 2024 (Newswire.com) — Depression, a debilitating illness that affects millions of people worldwide, may soon be treatable through a surprisingly effective non-invasive brain stimulation technology. Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Psychiatry, in collaboration with Electro Medical Products International, Inc. (EPI), have made a major breakthrough in effectively treating depression in just five daily sessions.
The first clinical trial, recently published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, demonstrated a significant reduction in the severity of symptoms in severely depressed patients. Amazingly, 80% of patients were found to no longer have symptoms of clinical depression when evaluated by psychiatrists two weeks after completing treatment.
The technology works by delivering personalized brain stimulation in response to real-time brain activity measurements, targeting specific rhythmic electrical activity patterns known to be disrupted in major depressive disorder. Researchers have identified a strong correlation between successful modulation of targeted electrical brain activity and symptom reduction.
Dr. Flavio Froehlich, professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and director of the Carolinas Neurostimulation Center, called the findings “striking” and potentially “groundbreaking” for millions of patients seeking better treatment options for their symptoms of depression.
During each session, EPI's machine adjusts the mild electrical waveforms it sends to the patient based on the brain's response to the stimulation. “You can think of this technology as talking to your brain,” says Dr. Frohlich, who also serves as chair of EPI's Scientific Advisory Board.
The study also showed that successful modulation of targeted brain electrical activity predicted symptom relief, offering a promising new approach to treating this complex disease.
“We are excited by these very promising results and look forward to rapidly moving forward with double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of this technology,” said Leah Townsend, PhD, EPI's Chief Scientific Officer. Brian Burke, EPI's President, added, “When we first saw the results from this initial clinical trial, we were confident we had a winning technology. This breakthrough highlights the potential market impact of our closed-loop brain stimulation technology and reinforces our company's dedication to innovation.”
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Ryan Gober
EPI Medical Science Liaison
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 904-200-5240
About EPI
EPI is a leading neuromodulation therapeutics company with both clinical and research devices specializing in non-invasive brain stimulation for psychiatric disorders and insomnia, and microcurrent therapy for pain management. The company's flagship product, Alpha-Stim, is FDA cleared for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia through Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) and for pain relief through Microcurrent Electrotherapy (MET).
Source: Electromedical Products International, Inc.
