Apparatus and method for modulating neurochemical levels in the brain
AssigneesDartmouth College, The University of Memphis
InventorsKendall H. Lee, Charles D. Blaha
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for modulating or regulating levels of a neurochemical in an individual using deep brain stimulation. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of treating neurological and psychiatric diseases by providing a feedback loop capable of maintaining central and/or peripheral nervous system neurochemical levels in an individual.
Claims26
A method for modulating the levels of a neurochemical in the brain of an individual comprising:
- (a) determining an amount of a neurochemical in a first brain region;
- (b) determining whether said amount of said neurochemical is different from a predetermined amount;
- and
- (c) if said amount of said neurochemical is different from said predetermined amount, applying electrical stimulation to a second brain region of said individual.
A method for modulating levels of a neurochemical in the brain of an individual comprising:
- (a) providing a stimulation system comprising a neurochemical sensor, a control module, and a stimulation module under the control of said control module;
- (b) placing said neurochemical sensor in a first brain region of said individual;
- (c) placing an electrode operably connected to said stimulation module in a second brain region of an individual comprising neural tissue;
- (d) determining the amount of said neurochemical in said first brain region using said sensor, and sending a signal indicative thereof to said control module;
- (e) said control module performing the step of determining if the amount of said neurochemical is different from a predetermined amount, wherein if the amount of said neurochemical is different from said predetermined amount, sending a signal to said stimulation module;
- (f) said stimulation module sending electrical stimulation to said electrode in said second brain region, whereby the levels of said neurochemical are modulated or regulated.
The method of claim 10, wherein said neurochemical is dopamine.
The method of claim 13, wherein said electrochemical sensor is a carbon-based electrode.
A method for treating Parkinson's disease comprising:
- (a) providing a stimulation system comprising a sensor, a control module, and a stimulation module under the control of said control module;
- (b) placing an electrode operably connected to said stimulation module in the subthalamic nucleus or medial forebrain bundle of an individual having Parkinson's disease;
- (c) placing said sensor in the caudate-putamen of said individual;
- (d) determining an amount of dopamine in the caudate-putamen of said individual using said sensor and sending a signal indicative thereof to said control module;
- (e) said control module performing the step of determining if said amount of dopamine is different from a predetermined amount, wherein if said amount of dopamine is different from said predetermined amount, sending a signal to said stimulation module;
- and
- (f) said stimulation module sending electrical stimulation to said electrode, whereby Parkinson's disease is treated.
A method for positioning a stimulation electrode in the brain of an individual comprising:
- (a) providing a stimulation system comprising a sensor, a control module, and a stimulation module under the control of said control module;
- (b) placing said sensor in a first brain region of said individual;
- (c) placing a stimulation electrode operably connected to said stimulation module in a second brain region of an individual comprising neural tissue;
- (d) applying an electrical stimulation signal to said stimulation electrode;
- (e) determining the amount of a neurochemical in said first brain region using said sensor, and sending a signal indicative thereof to said control module;
- (f) said control module performing the step of determining if the amount of said neurochemical reaches a predetermined amount;
- wherein if the amount of said neurochemical does not reach said predetermined amount, the placement of said stimulation electrode is changed and steps (d)-(f) are repeated until a placement of the stimulation electrode is achieved in which said electrical stimulation results in an amount of said neurochemical which reaches said predetermined amount.
A deep brain stimulator comprising:
- a sensor;
- a control module operably connected to said sensor, wherein said control module is adapted to measure an electrochemical signal detected by said sensor;
- a stimulation module operably connected to said control module;
- and
- a stimulating electrode operably connected to said stimulation module;
- wherein said control module is adapted to determine the amount of a neurochemical in a brain region of an individual, wherein if the amount of said neurochemical differs from a predetermined amount, said control module being further adapted to send a signal to said stimulator to generate electrical stimulation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.