Helius Enrolls First Patients in Portable Brain Stimulator Study

Helius Medical Technologies has enrolled the first three subjects in a feasibility study of its Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator device, which is designed to treat neurological disorders caused by disease or trauma. The study will be performed at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital and Concordia’s PERFORM Center in Canada, the company said Thursday.

The double-blind, sham-controlled study of multiple sclerosis patients will determine the safety and efficacy of the PoNS device, which induces neuromodulation via stimulating cranial nerves found in the tongue, Helius said.

Because the tongue is connected to the brainstem by two major cranial nerves and contains thousands or nerve fibers, using the tongue as a gateway to the brain may provide one of the most natural, noninvasive and direct methods of brain stimulation, the company added.

A total of 14 patients will receive treatment and physiotherapy to improve their balance and gait. The primary endpoint of the study is improvement in gait at 14 weeks. — Kellen Owings