News

While research teams in the U.S. have made considerable progress recently using spinal cord stimulation for neuroprosthetic and neurorehabilitation applications [NBR Apr14 p2], an independent effort at several European institutions is gaining momentum. Recently, investigators from the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany reported progress in fabricating flexible microelectrodes that will be used to restore function in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Researchers and entrepreneurs in the neurotechnology industry are used to playing backup to pharmaceutical companies when it comes to funding, regulatory approval, and investment decisions. Implanted stimulation devices are often regarded as a last-resort to be tried only after every possible drug, or combination of drugs, has failed. But the advent of “electroceuticals”—a term that points up the g…

The combination of neurostimulation devices with gene therapy offers tremendous potential for expanding the range of neurotechnology products and therapies. The interaction of the two disciplines was first demonstrated at Stanford University in 2005. Researchers there and at other institutions have genetically modified neural cells to make them responsive to optical stimulation. The Stanford team recently demonstrated the ability to turn cells off using optogenetic techniques.

The report that three new paralyzed individuals have had voluntary movement restored as a result of epidural stimulation and a training regimen developed at the University of Louisville, UCLA, and other institutions aroused interest in the media, as well as the spinal cord injury community, earlier this month. The report, published in the journal Brain , was authored University of Louisville, Reggie Edgerton at UCLA, and their colleagues.

The market for auditory brainstem implants has seen a number of positive developments in recent years and the neuroprosthetic technology may prove to be a viable adjunct for vendors of cochlear implants. While the implantation procedure for ABIs is more complicated than for cochlear implants, and functional restoration not as great, the device delivers important benefits to a patient population with unmet needs.

Nearly 200 clinicians, researchers, and neuromodulation industry representatives attended the first World Congress on Mechanisms of Action, held in Orlando, FL earlier this month. The meeting, sponsored Pain Institute, was devoted to elucidating the biological mechanisms underlying electrical stimulation of the nervous system. Elliot Krames, former president of the International Neuromodulation Society, served as cochair of the meeting, along with Eric Grigsby of Neurovations.

The market for surface stimulation systems took a major hit in 2012 when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services decided to remove reimbursement for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation systems as a treatment for chronic lower back pain. The decision had an immediate impact on sales at surface stimulation companies like DJO, Dynatronix, and RS Medical. Fortunately, some recent developments in the industry are serving to counteract this negative development.

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration earlier this month posted a notice that, in conjunction with Medtronic Australasia, it has issued a hazard alert for several models of Medtronic neuromodulation devices, including some Activa deep brain stimulation devices and RestoreUltra and RestoreSensor spinal cord stimulation devices. Medtronic Australasia announced it is undertaking a recall for product correction to address problems with the devices.

Recent advances in our understanding of brain processes involved with reading and language learning have created an opportunity for new neurotech strategies for treating reading disorders. About 10 percent of the U.S. population suffers from dyslexia, a condition that makes learning to read difficult. One of the first neurotech firms to target language learning disorders was Scientific Learning, Inc., an Oakland, CA software firm founded Merzenich.

In many respects, the cochlear implant industry has served as a model for the entire neurotech industry. The devices address a neurological disorder that has not been met with other therapies, including drugs, and hundreds of thousands of deaf individuals have had at least partial hearing restored. There is robust competition in the industry, with at least three major players vying for share worldwide.