Treatment of Inflammatory Disorders

A device or system for stimulating neural activity of an apical splenic nerve, the device or system comprising:

• at least one transducer configured for placement on or around the apical splenic nerve, wherein the apical splenic nerve is a non-arteriolar associated nerve located at an apex of a spleen, wherein the apical splenic nerve enters a superior pole of the spleen, and
• a signal generator configured for generating at least one signal to be applied to the apical splenic nerve via the at least one transducer wherein the at least one signal stimulates or inhibits the neural activity of the apical splenic nerve to produce a physiological response in a subject, wherein the physiological response is one or more of the group consisting of:
• a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines, an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines, an increase in catecholamines, changes in immune cell population or immune cell surface co-stimulatory molecules, a reduction in factors involved in an inflammation cascade or a reduction in immune response mediators;
• and wherein the at least one transducer is at least one electrode, and the signal generator is a voltage or current source configured to generate an electrical signal to be applied to the apical splenic nerve via the at least one electrode, and wherein the electrical signal has a frequency of between 1 and 50 Hz.