StuCNS Response REEG-Guidance For Resistant Depression Superior To APA Guidelines Most Commonly Used By Payers, Study

Main Category: Depression
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry;  Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 03 Nov 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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CNS Response, Inc. (OTCBB: CNSO) reported the results of a study by the Center for Health Economics, Epidemiology, and Science Policy at United BioSource Corporation, a global pharmacoeconomic research firm and one of the most experienced firms providing evidence-based review of innovative healthcare technologies.

The study, entitled "Comparing Levels of Evidence for Treatment of Treatment-Resistant Depression with Referenced-EEG(R) to Current Practice," analyzed published studies on treatment-resistant depression (TRD), and modeled the evidence for Referenced-EEG (rEEG) against evidence for currently reimbursed therapies. The study is available on the CNS Response website, http://www.cnsresponse.com.

Evidence supporting rEEG appears superior to that supporting APA (American Psychiatric Association) or TMAP (Texas Medication Algorithm Project) treatment guidelines, wrote investigator Mkaya Mwamburi, MD, PhD. "The findings of this project provide a compelling basis for the consideration of rEEG as a beneficial modality of medication selection for the treatment of TRD. These findings may warrant the consideration of rEEG for inclusion in treatment guidelines and perhaps a basis for re-imbursement," concluded Dr. Mwamburi.

Depression affects 18.8 million people in the U.S. The financial implications of the disease are extraordinary, estimated at $83 billion annually, including the cost of more than 11.4 million prescriptions for depression being written by physicians monthly.

"This study has broad implications for payers who believe there is adequate evidence supporting therapies they reimburse," commented George Carpenter, President of CNS Response. "But numerous studies, such as STAR*D (Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression), have demonstrated high failure rates and very little evidence for the treatment of TRD patients. The published evidence on rEEG, as assessed by United BioSource, compares favorably in academic rigor and clinical outcomes. Payers utilizing rEEG can now pay for treatments with better patient outcomes, lower costs, and superior evidence," added Carpenter.

Consulting Actuary Steve Melek of Milliman Global noted, "The impact on payers couldn't come at a better time. The $30 billion U.S. payers spend on retail prescription drugs for mental disorders is frequently ineffective in achieving disease remission. With the passage of mental health parity legislation, there is a great opportunity for improvement in effective diagnosis and treatment of depression, both in primary and specialty care settings. Payers could greatly benefit from such improvements, leading to better clinical and financial outcomes."

"In summary," said CNS Response CEO Len Brandt, "United BioSource Corporation is one of the most experienced and trusted firms for evidence-based review of innovative healthcare technologies. With the recent passing of legislation mandating that behavioral care now be treated on parity with other medical care, we believe the United BioSource analysis of rEEG and the Analysis Group's recent rEEG economic impact study arms corporations, their insurance companies, and managed care vendors with the knowledge that rEEG is evidence-supported and economically beneficial to all concerned. We are positioned to provide significant benefit to patients, payers and providers."

About CNS Response

CNS Response is a life-sciences data company whose patented system provides treatment guidance to psychiatrists and other physicians for patients with behavioral (mental or addictive) disorders. This technology allows CNS Response to create and provide simple reports ("rEEG(R) Reports") that specifically guide physicians to treatment strategies based on the patient's own physiology.

rEEG utilizes traditional electroencephalography (EEG) in conjunction with a normative database and a proprietary clinical (symptomatic) database to identify the following: (1) medication classes most likely to be needed; and (2) medications within these classes with the most probable treatment potential for each patient. Reports are provided to physicians in a relationship analogous to that of a reference laboratory. Prospective, retrospective and field studies of treatment-resistant patients have reported treatment success of 70% or greater in managed care, outpatient psychiatric and residential substance abuse clinical settings.

In addition to providing analytical support to physicians, CNS Response is also an aid to pharmaceutical developers, who can use rEEG to (1) stratify study populations to improve the success of FDA clinical trials; (2) provide insight on effective therapeutic dosing of investigational drugs; (3) identify additional indications for psychiatric medications; (4) provide insight into effective drug combinations; and (5) discover opportunities for decision analytics and support. In addition to these applications, CNS Response continues to investigate the use of rEEG analysis for development of proprietary pharmaceutical opportunities.

About United BioSource Corporation (UBC)

UBC is a global pharmaceutical services organization that helps emerging and established life science companies develop and commercialize medical products. UBC specializes in offering new and innovative ways to study drugs and devices by providing expertise in science, strategy and execution. UBC is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, with offices in the United States, Canada, Eastern and Western Europe and South America. For more information, visit http://www.unitedbiosource.com or call +866-458-1096.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements involve risks and uncertainties as set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made herein.

United BioSource Corporation