METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TREATING A PSYCHOTIC DISORDER

• US 20090270944A1
• Filed: 07/02/2009
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Jaax, Kristen N., Whitehurst, Todd K.
• Granted Patent: US 9,352,145 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

Methods of treating a psychotic disorder include applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient with an implanted stimulator in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters configured to treat the psychotic disorder. Systems for treating a psychotic disorder include a stimulator configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters configured to treat the psychotic disorder.

Claims

1. -20. (canceled)

22. The method of claim 1, wherein said psychotic disorder comprises schizophrenia.

23. 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.

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

25. 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.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulus is configured to decrease activity of said stimulation site to treat said psychotic disorder.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulus is configured to increase activity of said stimulation site to treat said psychotic disorder.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulator is at least partially disposed in a skull of said patient.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one indicator comprises a discharge frequency of a neural population in said stimulation site.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one indicator comprises a chemical level of said stimulation site.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one indicator comprises a neurotransmitter level.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one indicator comprises a hormone level.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one indicator comprises a drug level within said patient.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one indicator comprises a change in blood plasma.

35. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one indicator comprises a change in interstitial fluid.

36. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one indicator comprises a change in cerebrospinal fluid.

37. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one indicator comprises at least one of a dopamine level, an interleukin level, a cytokine level, a lymphokine level, a chemokine level, a growth factor level, an electrolyte level, and an enzyme level.

21. A method of treating a psychotic disorder, said method comprising:

applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient with an implanted stimulator in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters to treat said psychotic disorder; and

sensing at least one indicator related to said psychotic disorder and using said at least one sensed indicator to adjust one or more of said stimulation parameters;

wherein said stimulation site comprises at least one or more of a frontal lobe, temporal lobe, cingulate gyrus, substantia nigra, thalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, ventral tegmental area, and nucleus accumbens, and locus coeruleus; and

wherein said at least one indicator comprises at least one of a discharge frequency of a neural population in said stimulation site, a chemical level of said stimulation site, a neurotransmitter level, a hormone level, a drug level within said patient, a change in blood plasma, a change in interstitial fluid, a change in cerebrospinal fluid, a dopamine level, an interleukin level, a cytokine level, a lymphokine level, a chemokine level, a growth factor level, an electrolyte level, and an enzyme level.