# US 5,707,396 A · Method of arresting degeneration of the substantia nigra by high frequency stimulation of subthalamic nucleus

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,707,396 A
- Document ID: US5707396A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/637,438
- Filed: 1996-04-25
- Granted: 1998-01-13
- Earliest claimed: 1996-04-25
- Assignees: Institute National de la Sante & de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM)
- Inventors: Alim Benabid
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5707396A

## CPC

- A61N 1/326: {for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells}
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)

## Abstract

A method of preventing further degeneration of the substantia nigra observed in patients with Parkinson's disease. High frequency electrical pulses are supplied to the subthalamic nucleus thereby blocking stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of preventing further degeneration of a substantia nigra of a brain of a patient with Parkinson's disease by means of a signal generator and an implantable electrode having a proximal end and a stimulation portion utilized in conjunction with a subthalmic nucleus of said brain, said method comprising the steps of:
surgically implanting said electrode in the brain so that the stimulation portion lies in the subthalmic nucleus of the brain;
coupling said proximal end of said electrode to said signal generator; and
operating said signal generator at a predetermined repetition rate high enough to block activity of the subthalmic nucleus to inhibit excessive release of glutamate at the terminal ends of the axons projecting from the subthalamic nucleus to the substantia nigra.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said repetition rate is about 10-2500 Hz.