Healthcare Industry News: Parkinson’s disease
News Release - December 3, 2007
Researchers Report Results from Study of Brain Electrical Activity Using Cyberkinetics' NeuroPort(TM) System at the American Epilepsy Society Meeting
Neural monitoring technology shown to identify micro-seizure activity that precedes significant epileptic seizures; advanced brain activity monitoring could help to improve treatment of epilepsy and other neurological disorders.FOXBOROUGH, Mass.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Researchers were successfully able to record and monitor brain electrical activity with improved precision and detect micro-seizure activity in advance of larger epileptic seizures among patients implanted with the NeuroPort™ Neural Monitoring System (NeuroPort™ System) developed by Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:CYKN; Cyberkinetics ). Results from an ongoing study at Columbia University Medical Center were presented on Saturday, December 1, 2007, at the 61st Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Led by Ronald G. Emerson, M.D., and Catherine Schevon, M.D., Ph.D., the research team reported results from patients who had the NeuroPort™ sensor implanted, along with standard intracranial electroencephalography sensors. Using the NeuroPort™ System, researchers were able to:
- successfully record and monitor brain electrical activity with higher fidelity than is possible with other recording technologies;
- detect micro-seizures and micro-discharges in patients with epilepsy that may play a role in the genesis of their seizures, but that are not detectible by scalp or standard electrodes placed directly on the brain; and
- correlate this micro-activity to the onset of significant epileptic seizure activity.
A copy of the study abstract is available from Cyberkinetics’ website at www.cyberkinetics.com/content/aboutus/mediaroom.jsp.
“With this sensor, we were able for the first time to observe micro-seizure activity in the brain that appears to precede epileptic seizures in some patients,” stated Ronald G. Emerson, M.D., a lead investigator on the study and professor of clinical neurology in the Columbia Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and a member of the hospital staff at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. “The ability to monitor brain activity with this level of precision could help us to identify the onset and progression of seizures in the years ahead. It may also help us more accurately identify brain tissue to be removed during surgical treatment of epilepsy.”
Up to three percent of people in the United States will develop epilepsy in their lifetime. Approximately 50,000 people are diagnosed each year with epilepsy, nearly one third of whom are medically intractable, that is, unable to control seizure activity with drug treatment. Of people with intractable epilepsy, nearly one third would qualify as candidates for epilepsy surgery, though as few as 1,000 annually are actually referred for this procedure. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, annual direct and indirect medical costs to treat epilepsy in the United States alone exceed $12 billion.
“From a small sample area of the brain, this new monitoring system provides us with high quality information about the genesis and evolution of seizure activity,” added Catherine Schevon, M.D., Ph.D., co-lead investigator and assistant professor of clinical neurology in the Columbia Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and a member of the hospital staff at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. “These results expand our understanding of brain seizure activity and we hope it will someday enable us to develop more effective ways to detect and treat seizure disorders.”
Cyberkinetics’ NeuroPort™ System is a medical device indicated for the temporary (less than 30 days) recording and monitoring of brain electrical activity. It consists of a 4 x 4 mm, 100-microelectrode array and a signal processor. The array is implanted on the surface of the brain where the electrodes sense electrical activity from individual and groups of neurons. Cleared to market in the United States, the NeuroPort System is designed to provide neurologists and neurosurgeons with detailed, cellular-level information regarding the electrical activity of the brain, which might lead to more accurate diagnoses and enhanced patient outcomes.
“The medical, productivity and personal costs associated with the treatment of epilepsy represent a significant burden to the healthcare system and to society,” added Timothy R. Surgenor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cyberkinetics. “We believe that our NeuroPort™ technology could one day enable physicians to better locate seizure activity and treat epilepsy to help more patients adequately control this condition.”
In March 2006, Cyberkinetics and Columbia University Medical Center signed a collaborative agreement to evaluate the utility of brain electrical activity recordings obtained using Cyberkinetics’ NeuroPort™ System. Columbia intends to use the NeuroPort™ System to improve the understanding of certain abnormal human brain processes, which may include those commonly associated with epileptic seizures, Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, as well as many other neurological diseases. The investigative team led by Dr. Emerson includes neurosurgeons, neurologists and neurophysiologists who are co-investigators with the research collaboration. To date, seven patients have received the NeuroPort™ System in the study.
About Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc.
Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems, Inc., a leader in the neurotechnology industry, is developing neural stimulation, sensing and processing technology to improve the lives of those with severe paralysis resulting from spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders and other conditions of the nervous system. Cyberkinetics’ product development pipeline includes: the Andara™ Oscillating Field Stimulator (OFS™) Device, an investigative device designed to stimulate regeneration of the neural tissue surrounding the spinal cord and to restore sensation and motor function; the BrainGate System, an investigative device designed to provide communication and control of a computer, assistive devices, and, ultimately, limb movement; and the NeuroPort™ System, which is cleared to market in the United States, a neural monitor designed for acute inpatient applications and labeled for temporary (less than 30 days) recording and monitoring of brain electrical activity. Additional Information is available at Cyberkinetics’ website at www.cyberkinetics.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements, including statements about Cyberkinetics' product development plans and progress, potential development of proprietary inventions and benefits that may be realized by certain research programs. Such statements may be considered "forward-looking" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by the use of words like "may," "will," "could," "should," "project," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "plan," "estimate," "forecast," "potential," "intend," "continue" and variations of these words or comparable words. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future experience and results to differ materially from the statements made. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning our future expectations, plans, prospects and future operating results as well as projections of cash and marketable securities and sufficiency of funding for capital expenditures. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including risks related to: our ability to secure regulatory approval for our products; our access to additional capital; our ability to obtain additional funding to support our business activities; our dependence on third parties for development, manufacture, marketing, sales and distribution of our products; our development of products; our ability to obtain and maintain patent protection for our discoveries and products; and our limited operating history; as well as those risks more fully discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Registration Statement on Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC on April 2, 2007, and our other public documents filed with the SEC. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date.
Source: Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems
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