Methods and systems for treating autism

• US 20070038264A1
• Filed: 12/21/2005
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Carbunaru, Rafael, Whitehurst, Todd, Jaax, Kristen, Foster, Allison
• Application Number:
  US11/315,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20070038264A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• 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. 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.

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 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, cerebral ventricle, prefrontal cortex, and a location within a limbic system of said patient.

3. 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.

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

5. 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.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising inducing neural remodeling within said brain with said stimulus to treat said autism.

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.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulator is implanted within at least one or more of a subdural space, a sinus cavity, and a cerebral ventricle.

8. The method of claim 8, 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.

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

a stimulator configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a brain of an autistic patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters;

wherein said stimulation parameters and resulting stimulus are configured to treat said autism.

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

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said stimulator is coupled to one or more electrodes, and wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered via said electrodes.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said stimulus comprises one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered to said stimulation site and one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein said stimulator is configured to induce neural remodeling within said brain to treat said autism.

16. The system of claim 10, 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.

17. The system of claim 16, 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.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein said stimulator is implanted within at least one or more of a subdural space and a cerebral ventricle.

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

means for applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a brain of an autistic patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters; and

means for adjusting said stimulation parameters such that said stimulus is effective to treat said autism.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said stimulus comprises at least one or more of a stimulation current and one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.