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US 8,942,809 B2Granted
Systems and methods for improving a cognitive function
OwnerSouhile Assaf, Jessie Y. Shen +1inventors
InventorsSouhile Assaf, Jessie Y. Shen, Mandar Jog
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In many aspects, the invention relates to systems and methods for providing cognitive therapy through stimulation of activating and inhibiting neurons in the brain, thereby modulating neural firing rhythms. The stimulation of neurons is controlled through a feedback process whereby neuron firing rhythms are altered based on naturally occurring electrical and chemical activity in the brain. Neurons in specific regions of the brain may be targeted in order to establish neural signaling pathways and establish communication between these regions.
Claims44
A method of improving a cognitive function in a patient, comprising:
- (a) receiving a set of inputs from a first region in a patients brain, (b) correlating the set of inputs with a set of neurophysiological markers of a cognitive function, and (c) improving the cognitive function in the patients brain by inducing a response in a second region of the brain, which response is selected based upon the correlations of step (b), wherein the first region in the brain exhibits activity indicative of memory readiness.
A system for improving a cognitive function, comprising:
- a plurality of implantable elements for sensing and delivering signals within a brain;
- control circuitry configured to:
- receive a set of inputs from at least one of the plurality of implantable elements, correlate the set of inputs with a set of neurophysiological markers of a cognitive function, determine a response based on said correlations, and induce the response in the brain using at least one of the plurality of implantable elements;
- and at least one training mode and at least one functioning mode.
1 more element
A method of improving a cognitive function in a patient, comprising:
- (a) receiving a set of inputs from a first region in the patient's brain, (b) correlating the set of inputs with a set of neurophysiological markers of a cognitive function, (c) determining an alertness level of the patient based on the set of inputs, and (d) improving the cognitive function in the patients brain by inducing a response in a second region of the brain, which response is selected based upon the correlations of step (b), wherein when the patient exhibits at least two alertness levels, improving the cognitive function comprises inducing at least two different responses that correspond to the at least two alertness levels, and wherein inducing at least two different responses comprises inducing neurons in the second region of the brain to generate hippocampal theta rhythm when alertness level is set high, and inducing neurons in the second region of the brain to generate hippocampal sharp waves when alertness level is set low.
A method of improving a cognitive function in a patient, comprising:
- (a) receiving, a set of inputs from a first region in a patient's brain, (b) correlating the set of inputs with a set of neurophysiological markers of a cognitive function, and (c) improving the cognitive function in the patients brain by inducing a response in a second region of the brain by delivering at least one of an electrical signal and a chemical signal to neurons in the second region in the brain, which response is selected based upon the correlations of step (b), wherein the cognitive function is improved by inducing at least one of a hippocampal theta rhythm, hippocampal sharp waves and gamma activity, and wherein the theta rhythm is induced by stimulating at least one of activating neurons and inhibiting neurons in the second region.
A method of improving a cognitive function in a patient, comprising:
- (a) receiving a set of inputs from a first region in a patient's brain, (b) correlating the set of inputs with a set of neurophysiological markers of a cognitive function, and (c) improving the cognitive function in the patients brain by inducing a response in a second region of the brain by delivering at least one of an electrical signal and a chemical signal to neurons in the second region in the brain, which response is selected based upon the correlations of step (b), wherein the cognitive function is improved by inducing at least one of a hippocampal theta rhythm, hippocampal sharp waves and gamma activity, and wherein the hippocampal sharp waves are induced by stimulating at least one of activating neurons and inhibiting neurons in the second region.
A method of improving a cognitive function in a patient, comprising:
- (a) receiving a set of inputs from a first region in a patient's brain, (b) correlating the set of inputs with a set of neurophysiological markers of a cognitive function, and (c) improving the cognitive function in the patients brain by inducing a response in a second region of the brain by delivering at least one of an electrical signal and a chemical signal to neurons in the second region in the brain, which response is selected based upon the correlations of step (b), wherein the cognitive function is improved by inducing at least one of a hippocampal theta rhythm, hippocampal sharp waves and gamma activity, and wherein the gamma activities are induced by stimulating at least one of activating neurons and inhibiting neurons in the second region.
A system for improving a cognitive function, comprising:
- a plurality of implantable elements for sensing and delivering signals within a first region of a brain;
- and control circuitry configured to:
- receive a set of inputs from at least one of the plurality of implantable elements, correlate the set of inputs with a set of neurophysiological markers of a cognitive function, determine a response based on said correlations, and induce the response in a second region of the brain using at least one of the plurality of implantable elements, wherein the implantable elements include at least one short term electrode, and at least one long term electrode, and the control circuitry is further configured to:
- determine if the short term electrode is functioning, in response to determining that the short term electrode is functioning, receive a first set of inputs from the at least one short term electrode and second set of inputs from the at least one long term electrode, and associate one or more of the first set of inputs with one or more of the second set of inputs in response to determining that the short term electrode has failed, infer a first set of inputs based on the second set of inputs.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.