Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, a division of St. Jude Medical (STJ) and based in Plano, Texas, develops, manufactures and markets proprietary neuromodulation devices that improve the quality of life for people suffering from chronic pain or nervous system disorders. St. Jude Medical, headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, has five major focus areas. These areas include neuromodulation, cardiac rhythm management, atrial fibrillation, cardiac surgery, and cardiology.

Last month, St. Jude, through its ANS Division, announced the results of a pilot study investigating deep brain stimulation (DBS) of Brodmann Area 25 for major depressive disorders. The DBS targeted an area of the brain know as Brodmann Area 25, which appears to become overactive when people are sad and depressed. The results of the study were presented at the American Psychiatric Associations’ meeting in Washington, D.C. by Dr. Sidney Kennedy, psychiatrist-in-chief with the University Health Network in Toronto, Canada.

The study revealed that – after the 6-month procedure – 56 percent of the patients experienced at least a 40 percent decrease in depressive symptoms. Prior to the study, all patients were classified as having severe depression after multiple treatments (including medication, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy) yielded little sustained relief. Based on these results, St. Jude announced the BROADEN™ (BROdmann Area 25 DEep brain Neuromodulation) blind clinical study in February 2008 to further investigate the use of DBS for major depressive disorder, and this study is currently being conducted in the U.S. under an Investigation Device Exemption from the FDA.

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