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FDA Approves First At‑Home Brain Stimulation Device for Depression

Flow Neuroscience targets a 2026 U.S. launch at under $800 per headset pending insurer agreements.

Overview

  • The FDA granted premarket approval to Flow Neuroscience’s FL-100, the first home-use transcranial direct current stimulation headset cleared in the U.S. to treat depression.
  • The prescription device is indicated for adults 18 and older with moderate to severe major depressive disorder, usable alone or alongside other therapies for patients not considered medication‑resistant.
  • Regulators reviewed a mid‑stage trial showing 58% remission at 10 weeks, and the FDA characterized the benefit as modest but sufficient to outweigh probable risks such as headaches and skin irritation.
  • The headset delivers tDCS via two forehead pads in 30‑minute sessions several times a week over a typical 12‑week course with an initial five‑sessions‑per‑week ramp, under remote supervision.
  • Flow plans a U.S. rollout in 2026 by prescription at an estimated $500–$800 with insurer and telehealth partnerships under negotiation, citing more than 55,000 users to date in Europe and select markets.