Devices and methods for inhibiting granulocyte activation by neural stimulation
AssigneeThe Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
InventorsKevin J. Tracey, Howland Shaw Warren, Christine N. Metz
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Abstract
Described herein are methods, devices and systems for inhibition of granulocyte activation by appropriate stimulation of the vagus nerve. Methods of treating granulocyte-mediated disorders (including inflammatory disorders) by stimulating the vagus nerve to inhibit granulocyte activation (particularly neutrophil activation) are also described. Appropriate stimulation may be very low levels of stimulation, including stimulation that does not result in desensitization. The level of granulocyte activation may be detected and used to at least partially control stimulation.
Claims27
A method of treating and/or preventing a granulocyte-mediated disease or disorder in a subject, the method comprising:
- detecting a granulocyte activation level;
- and
- stimulating the subject's inflammatory reflex in an amount sufficient to achieve an inhibition in expression of a marker of granulocyte activation without desensitizing the response of the subject's granulocytes to vagal stimulation.
A method of treating and/or preventing a granulocyte-mediated disease or disorder in a subject, the method comprising:
- stimulating the subject's vagus nerve in an amount sufficient to inhibit the expression of CD11b on the surface of the subject's granulocyte cells without desensitizing the response of the granulocytes to vagal stimulation;
- and
- screening the subject at different times to determine the extent of inhibition of granulocyte activation in response to vagal stimulation.
A method of treating and/or preventing a granulocyte-mediated disease or disorder in a subject, the method comprising:
- detecting a baseline granulocyte activation level;
- and
- applying a first stimulation to the subject's inflammatory reflex to inhibit granulocyte activation in response to the detected granulocyte activation level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.