Session Organizers: John Osborn, University of Minnesota and Ziad Nahas, University of Minnesota
Effect of chronic cervical vagal nerve stimulation on systems physiology in humans: The REVEAL study
John Osborn, PhD
Professor and Director of the Minnesota Consortium for Autonomic Neuromodulation
University of Minnesota
Dr. Osborn’s research efforts are concentrated on therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. He has made important contributions to our understanding the role of the sympathetic nervous system in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Dr. Osborn is also an internationally recognized expert in the development of autonomic neuromodulation therapies.
RESET-RA: Evaluating Neuroimmune Modulation for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Amy Derosier
Vice President, Clinical Affairs
SetPoint Medical
Currently, Amy is Vice President of Clinical Affairs at SetPoint Medical, an early-stage MedTech company developing a novel platform to stimulate the vagus nerve for treating inflammatory, autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RESET-RA, primary analysis completed) and multiple sclerosis (pilot study). Amy attended the University of Minnesota and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and has overseen multiple clinical evaluations for novel medical devices.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for treatment-resistant depression: The RECOVER study
Ziad Nahas, MD, MSCR
Executive Vice Chair, Professor
University of Minnesota
Abstract: Report on the safety and effectiveness of FDA-approved adjunctive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in patients with marked TRD.
This 12-month, multicenter, double-blind, sham-controlled trial included 493 adults with marked treatment-resistant major depression who were randomized to active or no-stimulation sham VNS for 12 months. The primary outcome was percent time in response across months 3–12, with response defined as a ≥50 % change from baseline on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Several secondary endpoints were evaluated.
Bio: I received my Medical Degree from Saint Joseph University in Lebanon. I then completed an internship in Psychiatry at L’Institut Paul Silvadon, a Lacanian day hospital, and Hopital Charles Foix, both in Paris, France. I moved to Houston Texas in 1993 as a resident in Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine. I also attended the Houston-Galveston Psychoanalytic Institute’s psychodynamic psychotherapy course. I later joined the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in 1997 where I completed a research fellowship in Functional Neuroimaging and Psychopharmacology and a Master of Science in Clinical Research. I was a faculty member from 1999 to 2011 with a specific focus on research in mood disorders and brain stimulation. From Summer 2011 to Spring 2017, I was the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) where I helped develop the department's clinical, educational, and research portfolio.
My scientific interests lie in translational research of mood dysregulation and depressive disorders. My unique expertise is in functional neuroimaging and brain stimulation across various modalities [Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), Prefrontal Cortical Stimulation (PCS), Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Focally Electrically Administered Seizure Therapy (FEAST)]. I have also conducted basic research and collaborated on health economic studies.
Within the medical school, I am the Fellowship Director of the MnDrive Neuromodulation Medicine Fellowship. I am also the executive vice chair for the department.
In addition to my scientific and academic contributions, I have been a strong advocate for the parity of mental health care coverage in Lebanon. I co-founded Embrace, a Non-Profit Organization to fight the stigma associated with mental illness and provide financial support for patients who cannot afford the cost of their treatments. Embrace launched the first Suicide Prevention Help Line in the Middle East.
Professional outreach and public service is also a key focus of my career. I am also a full member of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. To date, I have presented both nationally and internationally at over 70 conferences. I have received several awards including the NARSAD Independent Investigator Award and the Developing Scholar Award at MUSC.