Benzinga | Dec 14, 2021 08:19AM EST

electroCore Offers Update On Non-Invasive Vagal Nerve Stimulation Candidate To Treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

electroCore, Inc. (the "Company"), (NASDAQ:ECOR), a commercial-stage bioelectronic medicine company, today provided an update on the ongoing clinical research to assess the potential of gammaCore (non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation; nVNS) to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ("PTSD").

PTSD is a debilitating disorder triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event that is increasingly common. Approximately 15 million adults in the US will have PTSD during a given year and it is particularly concerning to the Military and Veteran's Administration (VA).

In a study published on December 6th, 2021, in the Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 20 patients suffering from PTSD were exposed to personalized traumatic scripts followed by an immediate stimulation by an active or sham non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator ("nVNS"). The results showed that three-months of treatment with nVNS led to a 31% reduction (p<0.013) in PTSD symptoms compared to sham on the PTSD Checklist ("PCL"), as well as a significant decrease in hyperarousal symptoms (p=0.008) and a decrease in overall and somatic (gastric) anxiety. At the conclusion of the study, patients who continued using nVNS for a further 3 month open-label period showed significant improvement in their overall symptoms reported by the Clinical Global Index (p=0.003). Furthermore, nVNS effectively blocked the increase in the levels of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 that is overexpressed in patients with PTSD who are exposed to a traumatic script (p<0.05).

electroCore is currently collaborating with investigators on two Randomized, sham-controlled clinical trials to further confirm the efficacy of nVNS as a treatment for PTSD. (Table 1)

Table 1. Ongoing Studies of nVNS in PTSD and Related Disorders Study Size LocationnVNS in posttraumatic stress 88 VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CASympathetic overactivity in 100 Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GAPTSD

"PTSD is a devastating condition that affects family and individuals across the United States. Whether it affects our active-duty service men and women, our Veteran's, or friends and family, there are very few treatments that can decrease the signs and symptoms of nVNS" said Dan Goldberger, CEO of electroCore. "gammaCore, which is currently cleared by the FDA for most forms of primary headache, offers the potential to provide a safe, convenient and effective treatment for people with PTSD. We look forward to reporting on our clinical and regulatory progress in 2022."