METHODS FOR TREATING AUTISM

• US 20100030287A1
• Filed: 10/08/2009
• Published: 02/04/2010
• 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: Foster, Allison M., Carbunaru, Rafael, Jaax, Kristen N., Whitehurst, Todd K.
• Application Number:
  US12/575,974
• Publication Number:
  US 20100030287A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/3
• 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

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A method of treating a patient having autism, said method comprising:

applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a brain of said patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters, thereby treating said autism;

wherein said stimulation site comprises at least one of a ventricle, a corpus collosum, a stria terminalis, and a medial septal nucleus.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said at least one stimulus comprises one or both of a stimulation current delivered to said stimulation site and one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising inducing neural remodeling within said brain with said at least one stimulus to treat said autism.

24. The method of claim 21, 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.

25. The method of claim 24, 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.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein said stimulate site comprises a cerebral ventricle.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein said stimulate site comprises a corpus collosum.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein said stimulate site comprises a stria terminalis.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein said stimulate site comprises a medial septal nucleus.