Abbott (NYSE:ABT) this week released data from the Broaden study of its deep brain stimulation technology used to treat chronic, treatment-resistant depression, touting a nearly 50% response to the treatment.
Data from the trial was published recently in The Lancet: Psychiatry, Abbott said.
Researchers involved in the Broaden study said they found no statistically significant difference between the stimulation group and the control group at 6 and 12 months, but found differences in 77 of the 90 participants who entered into a 4-year follow-up study.
In the follow-up study, authors reported that after 24 months of stimulation, nearly 50% of all DBS patients responded to the therapy, with 26% of patients experiencing remission of depression at a rate that grew over time.
Remission rates for the DBS treatment group and the control group were reportedly 29% and 14% at 12 months, 53% and 18% at 18 months and 49% and 26% at 24 months, respectively, according to the study.
“While I am disappointed by the initial results, I’m encouraged by the long-term outcomes seen in this trial, which are consistent with previous and ongoing experience with DBS outside of this clinical trial. There are refinements to optimize DBS delivery that may prove useful to understand these findings and move the therapy forward. For example, we now know that implantation method and directionality matter for optimal patient outcomes. We look forward to seeing what new innovations, such as use of advanced imaging to guide the implantation and use of directional leads, can do in the future,” Dr. Helen Mayberg of Atlanta’s Emory Universitysaid in a prepared statement.
The Broaden study was originally launched in 2008 to assess the use of DBS on chronic, treatment-resistant depression patients, using the device to target the “Brodmann Area 25” which had been indicated as compounding treatment-resistant depression.
“Innovation within the field of neuroscience takes time and is filled with opportunities to learn, adapt and learn again. This study is a strong example of how our therapies can contribute to the innovation taking place within the broad field of neuroscience. We applaud the researchers who led this study and look forward to future advancements to support the care of people suffering from chronic, treatment-resistant depression,” Abbott neuromod division medical director Dr. Allen Burton said in a prepared statement.
Abbott said that currently its DBS system is only indicated for treating essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease.
Earlier this month, Abbott closed its $5.3 billion buy of diagnostics giant Alere (NYSE:ALR), ending an acquisition process the company has been engaged in since last Feb.
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