Methods and systems for treating autism by decreasing neural activity within the brain

• US 20060247728A1
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Foster, Allison M., Sung, Derrick, Carbunaru, Rafael, Whitehurst, Todd K.
• Granted Patent: US 9,095,713 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/42
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0693 Brain, cerebrum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Methods of treating autism include applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within the brain of a patient with an implanted stimulator in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. The stimulus is configured to decrease neural activity within at least a portion of the brain to treat autism. Systems for treating autism include a stimulator configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within the brain of a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. The stimulus is configured to decrease neural activity within at least a portion of the brain to treat autism.

Claims

1. A method of treating autism, said method comprising:

applying at least one stimulus with an implanted stimulator to a stimulation site within a brain of an autistic patient;

wherein said stimulus is in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters and configured to decrease neural activity within at least a portion of said brain to treat autism.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulation site comprises at least one or more of a location within a temporal lobe, cortex, and limbic system of said patient.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulation site is located in a right hemisphere of said brain.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulator is coupled to one or more electrodes, and wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered via said electrodes.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulus comprises one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered to said stimulation site and one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing at least one indicator related to said autism and using said at least one sensed indicator to adjust one or more of said stimulation parameters.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one indicator comprises at least one or more of an electrical activity of said brain, a chemical level of said brain, a neurotransmitter level, a hormone level, and a medication level.

9. A method comprising:

implanting a stimulator within a patient;

programming said stimulator with one or more stimulation parameters; and

applying at least one stimulus with said stimulator to a stimulation site within said patient in accordance with said one or more stimulation parameters;

wherein said one or more stimulation parameters are configured to treat autism by decreasing neural activity within at least a portion of a brain of said patient.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said stimulation site comprises at least one or more of a location within a temporal lobe, cortex, and limbic system of said patient.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said stimulation site is located in a right hemisphere of said brain.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said stimulator is coupled to one or more electrodes, and wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered via said electrodes.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein said stimulus comprises one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of implanting said stimulator comprises implanting said stimulator within at least one or more of a subdural space, a sinus cavity, and a cerebral ventricle.

15. A system for treating autism, said system comprising:

a stimulator configured to be implanted at least partially within a patient and to generate at least one stimulus in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters adjusted to treat said autism;

a programmable memory unit in communication with said stimulator and programmed to store said one or more stimulation parameters to at least partially define said stimulus such that said stimulus is configured to treat said autism; and

means, operably connected to said stimulator, for applying said stimulus to a stimulation site within said patient.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said programmable memory unit comprises at least one or more of a component located external to said patient and a component located within a device implanted within said patient.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein said programmable memory unit comprises a component of said stimulator.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein said stimulation site comprises at least one or more of a location within a temporal lobe, cortex, and limbic system of said patient.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein said stimulation site is located in a right hemisphere of said brain.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein said means for applying said at least one stimulus comprises one or more electrodes, and wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered via said electrodes.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein said means for applying said at least one stimulus comprises an infusion outlet, and wherein said stimulus comprises one or more drugs delivered via said infusion outlet.

22. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

a sensor device for sensing at least one indicator related to said autism;

wherein said stimulator uses said at least one sensed indicator to adjust one or more of said stimulation parameters.