Methods for stimulating neurons
First Claim
1. A method for modifying the electrical currents of a live neuronal circuit within the brain of a mammal, the method comprising the steps of:
- applying a focused ultrasound pulse (FUP) to the live neuronal circuit;
and monitoring a brain image produced by a brain imaging system during the application of the FUP.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein are methods for stimulating neurons within the brain by modifying electrical currents in brain circuits through the simultaneous use of focused ultrasound pulse (FUP) and an existing brain-imaging system, such as a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) system. The methods are used for research, treatment and diagnosis of psychiatric, neurological, and neuroendocrine disorders whose biological mechanisms include brain circuits. The methods include the simultaneous steps of applying FUP to a live neuronal circuit within a brain and monitoring a brain image produced by a brain imaging system during the application of FUP.
225 Citations
64 Claims
-
1. A method for modifying the electrical currents of a live neuronal circuit within the brain of a mammal, the method comprising the steps of:
-
applying a focused ultrasound pulse (FUP) to the live neuronal circuit;
and monitoring a brain image produced by a brain imaging system during the application of the FUP. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method of treating psychiatric, neurological and neuroendocrine disorders in a mammal, the method comprising the steps of:
applying a focused ultrasound pulse (FUP) to the live neuronal circuit, and monitoring a brain image from a brain imaging system during the application of the FUP. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
-
44. A method of testing a pharmaceutical medication, comprising the steps of:
-
administering the pharmaceutical medication to the mammal;
applying a focused ultrasound pulse (FUP) to a live neuronal circuit of a mammalian brain; and
monitoring a brain image from a brain imaging system during the application of the FUP. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
-
Specification