Neuronetics‘ NeuroStar recently received FDA approval as an add-on therapy for adolescents aged 15 to 21 suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD). This groundbreaking approval represents a significant advance in the treatment of young people’s mental health.

Depression in adolescents is a growing problem, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. With limited treatment options available for this age group, the approval of NeuroStar offers a glimmer of hope for those struggling with this debilitating condition.

NeuroStar utilises transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive technique, to stimulate the neurons in the brain responsible for mood regulation. Unlike conventional antidepressants, NeuroStar offers an alternative for adolescents who do not respond to or cannot tolerate pharmacological treatments.

The FDA’s decision to grant approval was based on extensive data collected with NeuroStar’s TrakStar platform and compelling clinical evidence of the product’s efficacy. In particular, an analysis of over 1,100 adolescents showed a remarkable 78% improvement in the severity of depression following treatment with NeuroStar.

Dr Kenneth Pages, Medical Director of TMS of South Tampa, hailed the FDA approval as a long overdue solution for adolescent depression. He emphasised the importance of real-world data and highlighted NeuroStar’s promising response rates, which are consistent with those seen in adults.

Keith J. Sullivan, President and CEO of Neuronetics, expressed enthusiasm for the clearance, emphasizing its potential to transform the landscape of adolescent mental health care. With NeuroStar now available as a first-line add-on treatment for adolescents, the company aims to expand access to and raise awareness of this innovative therapy.

NeuroStar is gaining increasing attention and acceptance in the medical community and is a promising tool in the fight against adolescent depression. With its proven efficacy, non-invasive nature and FDA approval, NeuroStar is a beacon of hope for adolescents seeking relief from the burden of depression.

Until then, don’t forget to follow neureads.com for more neurotech news and stories.