The U.S. FDA granted Neuronetics Inc. clearance for use of its Neurostar advanced therapy as an adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder in patients aged 15 to 21, making it the first transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment (TMS) cleared for this age group, the company said.

The U.S. FDA has posted another proposed ban of the use of electrical stimulation devices (ESDs) for the treatment of self-injurious behavior, which revisits the controversy over their use by the Judge Rotenberg Center.

Graymatters Health Ltd. seeks patent protection for its non-invasive, self-neuromodulation approach for treating post-traumatic stress disorder. In what represents the company’s second PCT filing, GMH’s co-founders, Oded Kraft, Rani Cohen and Shai Attia, describe a method for achieving a reduction of at least six points in a Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5, following neurofeedback treatment delivered for eight to 12 consecutive weeks.

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings expanded its blood biomarker test portfolio for Alzheimer’s disease, making its pTau217 test available by prescription in the U.S. as well as for research globally. The standalone test can also be used in monitoring patients undergoing treatment for the neurodegenerative disease.

Sooma Oy recently raised €5 million (US$5.4 million) in funding to help the company expand access to its transcranial direct current stimulation device which allows patients to treat their depression at home. “This is a significant milestone for us that enables us to help more patients globally and help us develop the company to serve the unmet need,” Tuomas Neuvonen, Sooma's co-founder and CEO, told BioWorld.

In what represents their first patenting, a researcher from the University of California is seeking protection for non-invasive methods of brain monitoring that use electroencephalography (EEG) to detect new or worsening brain injury in pediatric patients.

Japanese researchers from Chiba University are spearheading new research into Peace of Mind Co. Ltd.’s portable Angel Touch device (AT-04), approved for neurological disorders, to treat endometriosis-related pain.

After a disappointment with the same product in another indication about two years ago, Sensorion SA met the primary endpoint in its proof-of-concept phase IIa trial with SENS-401 for residual hearing preservation after cochlear implant.

Rehab Technologies Lab recently unveiled a new robotic exoskeleton, Twin, designed for lower limbs to allow patients with spinal cord injuries to walk independently. Although Twin is currently a prototype, the company will work towards getting CE mark to bring it to the market to help patients with physical impairments integrate back into social and work environments.

Phagenesis Ltd. raised $42 million in a series D financing round for its neurostimulation therapy, Phagenyx, which treats swallowing dysfunction. The funds will primarily support commercialization of the device in the U.S. where there is a huge unmet clinical need in dysphagia treatment, Reinhard Krickl, CEO of Phagenesis, told BioWorld.