Abbott announces that it has partnered with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on the BRAIN (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) Initiative to accelerate advancements in neuroscience research.
As part of the agreement, Abbott will provide the company’s neuromodulation technologies—including directional deep brain stimulation (DBS), spinal cord stimulation (SCS), and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) therapy—for research related to these NIH initiatives to explore their application for chronic pain and progressive movement disorders, like Parkinson’s disease.

“The NIH is investigating the application of these devices for the treatment of a wide range of neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions and chronic pain,” says Nick B. Langhals, PhD, program director for Neural Engineering within the Division of Translational Research at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, in a media release.

“The neuromodulation technologies provided by Abbott will help us determine the inner workings of the nervous system to help fill gaps in our current knowledge of the brain and provide opportunities for exploring how the brain interacts with the human body in patients with neurological conditions.

Launched in 2013, the BRAIN Initiative looks to understand the functions of the human brain by researching and developing new uses for innovative technologies.

“Researchers at Abbott are continuously striving to better understand how neuromodulation technology can benefit people living with chronic pain or movement disorders,” states Keith Boettiger, vice president, Neuromodulation, Abbott, the release continues.

“In addition to our own research efforts, including clinical and real-world studies, working together with world-class scientists at the NIH will help us further validate our neuromodulation therapies and explore new avenues where they may benefit patients affected by devastating neurological conditions.”

[Source(s): Abbott, PR Newswire]