Jerusalem—Brainsway Ltd. has announced interim results from an animal study being conducted at the Sheba Medical Center to explore the effects of the company's transcranial magnetic stimulation device on age-related macular degeneration.

In the first stage of the study, the effects of electromagnetic stimulation in an animal model for retinal degeneration were explored in 15 rats. Eight of the rats received active stimulation treatment and seven received sham treatment over the course of 2 weeks. A short-lasting improvement in the retina's response to light was observed following this stage of the study, with the rats who received the magnetic stimulation displaying significantly improved retinal function relative to the sham treatment group as measured by an electroretinogram.

The second stage of the study was conducted with 16 rats, of which half received real treatment and half received sham stimulation over the course of 4 weeks. Extending the treatment period produced a greater and longer-lasting improvement in retinal function. In addition, the longer treatment period also brought about an improvement in the b-wave of the electroretinogram (which indicates improved photoreceptor function). This latter improvement was not observed in the first stage of the study.

“In light of the favorable results of the study, we plan to conduct further research, which will include testing of eye tissue, and will be aimed at optimizing the treatment protocol,” the study’s principal investigator said. “We also intend to conduct clinical testing on human subjects with macular degeneration-induced blindness.”

Brainsway Ltd. is studying its transcranial magnetic stimulation systems for treatment of a wide range of neurological and psychopathologic disorders.

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