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Neurosurgeon’s Tragic Experience Leads to Breakthrough in Inflammation Treatment

KVIA••CNN Newsource
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Dr. Kevin J. Tracey, a neurosurgeon, experienced a life-changing event in 1985 when an 11-month-old baby, Janice, died in his arms despite his efforts to save her. This tragedy fueled his passion for understanding inflammation, leading him to pioneer bioelectronic medicine. Recently, Tracey and his team developed the SetPoint system, a device approved by the FDA in July 2025, aimed at treating rheumatoid arthritis by stimulating the vagus nerve to control inflammation. With approximately 1.5 million adults in the U.S. affected by rheumatoid arthritis, this innovation could significantly improve patient outcomes and transform treatment approaches for various inflammatory diseases.

Key Details: • FDA approved the SetPoint system in July 2025. • The device is implanted near the vagus nerve and administers daily stimulation. • Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1.5 million adults in the U.S. • Patients often struggle with traditional treatments that have significant side effects.

health rheumatoid-arthritis medical-research inflammation neurosurgery

People & Organizations

FDANorthwell HealthKevin J. TraceyFeinstein Institutes for Medical Research

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