Inducing neurogenesis within a human brain

• US 20070067001A1
• Filed: 12/16/2005
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Functional Neuromodulation, Inc. (Functional Neuromodulation, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Functional Neuromodulation, Inc. (Functional Neuromodulation, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lozano, Andres, Toda, Hiroki
• Granted Patent: US 8,612,006 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: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36096 Mood disorders, e.g. depression, anxiety or panic disorder
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/28 for treating neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, e.g. nootropic agents, cognition enhancers, drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for inducing neurogenesis within a human. The invention utilizes an implantable signal generator to deliver high frequency stimulation to deep brain tissue elements. The implanted device delivers treatment therapy to the brain to thereby induce neurogenesis by the human. A sensor may be used to detect various symptoms of nervous system discovery. A microprocessor algorithm may then analyze the output from the sensor to regulate the stimulation and/or drug therapy delivered to the brain.

Claims

1. A method for inducing neurogenesis within a human by means of an implantable signal generator and a lead having a proximal end coupled to the signal generator and a distal portion having at least one electrode, the method comprising:

(A) implanting at least one electrode so that the stimulation portion lies at least in communication with deep brain tissue elements of a human brain;

(B) coupling the proximal end of the implanted electrode to the signal generator; and

(C) operating the signal generator to deliver high frequency stimulation to the deep brain tissue elements to thereby induce neurogenesis within the brain.

2. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein (A) comprises implanting the at least one electrode so that the stimulation portion lies at least in communication with an anterior thalamic nuclei complex, and wherein the neurogenesis is induced in at least a hippocampus.

3. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein (A) comprises implanting the at least one electrode so that the stimulation portion lies at least in communication with a Papez circuit, a periventricular zone and a cerebellum.

4. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein (C) comprises selecting amplitude, width and frequency of stimulation by the electrode.

5. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein (C) comprises operating the signal generator to pulse at a frequency between 50 Hertz and 1000 Hertz.

6. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein (C) comprises operating the signal generator to pulse at a pulse amplitude between 0.1 Volts to 10.0 Volts.

7. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein (C) comprises operating the signal generator to pulse at a pulse width between 30 microseconds and 450 microseconds.

8. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein (C) comprises operating the signal generator in a monopolar configuration.

9. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein (C) comprises operating the signal generator in a bipolar configuration.

10. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein (C) comprises operating the signal generator in a multipolar configuration.

11. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein (C) comprises operating the signal generator in a continuous mode.

12. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein (C) comprises operating the signal generator in a cyclical mode.

13. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein (C) comprises delivering high frequency stimulation to a first portion of the brain to thereby induce neurogenesis within a second portion of the brain.

14. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising (D) selecting between and open loop and a closed loop mode of operation.

15. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

(D) sensing a characteristic indicative of the extent of neurogenesis and generating a sensor signal; and

(E) regulating the operation of the signal generator in response to the sensor signal.

16. A method, as claimed in claim 15, wherein (D) comprises detecting a neurochemical characteristic of the neurogenesis.

17. A method, as claimed in claim 15, wherein (D) comprises detecting an electro-physiological characteristic of the neurogenesis.

18. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein (E) comprises executing a control algorithm.

19. A method, as claimed in claim 15, wherein (E) comprises adjusting at least one parameter of the stimulation, the parameter being selected from the group consisting of amplitude, pulse width and frequency.

20. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

(D) implanting at least one secondary electrode so that a secondary stimulation portion lies in communication with a second portion of a brain;

(E) coupling the secondary electrode to the signal generator; and

(F) operating the signal generator to stimulate the second portion of the brain.

21. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

(D) implanting at least one catheter so that a secondary discharge portion lies in communication with deep brain tissue elements of the brain;

(E) coupling the catheter to a pump; and

(F) operating the pump to deliver drug to the brain.

22. A therapeutic treatment method for inducing neurogenesis within a human by means of an implantable pump and at least one catheter having a proximal end coupled to the pump and a discharge portion for infusing therapeutic dosages of at least one drug, the method comprising:

(A) implanting the catheter so that the discharge portion lies in communication with deep brain tissue element of a human brain;

(B) coupling the catheter to the pump; and

(C) operating the pump to deliver the at least one drug to the deep brain tissue elements to thereby induce neurogenesis within the brain.

23. A method, as claimed in claim 22, wherein (A) comprises implanting the catheter so as to infuse drug in at least an anterior thalamic nuclei complex, and wherein the neurogenesis is induced in at least a hippocampus.

24. A method, as claimed in claim 22, wherein (C) comprises delivering to the papez circuit at least one drug selected from the group consisting of an anesthetic, a GABA agonist, a GABA antagonist, a glutamate antagonist, a glutamate agonist, a degrading enzyme, a reputake blocker, and a dopamine antagonist.

25. A method, as claimed in claim 22, wherein (C) comprises selecting a time interval for drug delivery.

26. A method, as claimed in claim 22, wherein (C) comprises selecting a drug dosage.

27. A method as claimed in claim 22, further comprising:

(D) sensing a characteristic indicative of the extent of neurogenesis and generating a sensor signal; and

(E) regulating the operation of the pump in response to the sensor signal.

28. A method, as claimed in claim 27, wherein (D) comprises detecting a neurochemical characteristic of the neurogenesis.

29. A method, as claimed in claim 27, wherein (D) comprises detecting an electro-physiological characteristic of the neurogenesis.

30. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein (E) comprises executing a control algorithm.

31. A method, as claimed in claim 22, further comprising:

(D) implanting at least one electrode so that a stimulation portion lies in communication with a deep brain tissue elements of a brain;

(E) coupling the secondary electrode to the signal generator; and

(F) operating the signal generator to stimulate the brain.

32. A method, as claimed in claim 22, further comprising:

(D) implanting at least one secondary catheter so that a second discharge portion lies in communication with a second portion of the brain;

(E) coupling the catheter to a pump; and

(F) operating the pump to deliver drug to the brain.

33. A method of using one or more drugs to therapeutically induce neurogenesis within a human by means of an implantable pump and a catheter having a proximal end coupled to said pump and a discharge portion for infusing therapeutic dosages of said one or more drugs, as well as a signal generator and an implantable electrode having a proximal end and a stimulation portion, the method:

(A) surgically implanting the electrode so that the stimulation portion lies in communication with tissue elements of a papez circuit of a human brain;

(B) surgically implanting said catheter so that the discharge portion lies adjacent a predetermined infusion site in the brain;

(C) operating the signal generator to deliver high frequency stimulation the tissue elements of the papez circuit to thereby induce neurogenesis within the brain; and

(D) operating the pump to discharge a predetermined dosage of at least one drug through the discharge portion of the catheter into the predetermined infusion site to thereby further induce neurogenesis within the brain.