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Title: Device Blocking Stomach Nerve Signals Shows Promise in Obesity
URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/224602.htm
Doctor's Guide
June 26, 2008

ROCHESTER, Minn -- June 26, 2008 -- A new implantable medical device, developed in collaboration with Mayo Clinic researchers, shows promise as a reversible and less extreme alternative to existing bariatric surgeries, according to findings published in the current issue of the journal Surgery.

"For this study, we wanted to get an initial assessment of whether blocking the vagus nerve electrically could cause obese patients to feel full after a normal-sized meal," Michael Camilleri, MD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota explained. "Patients were not put on any restricted diets or given counselling that typically accompanies gastric banding or bypass. We wanted to determine how much weight loss could be attributed to the device alone."

In a 6-month, open-label trial involving 3 medical centres in Australia, Mexico, and Norway, the 31 obese participants who received the vagal nerve blocking device, also called VBLOCTM vagal blocking therapy, lost an average of nearly 15% of their excess weight. A quarter of the participants lost more than 25%, and 3 patients lost more than 30%.

A follow-up, double-blinded study, which will involve up to 300 patients at multiple medical centres including a limited number from Mayo Clinic, will be important for gauging the device's true effectiveness.


SOURCE: Mayo Clinic

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