Techniques for treating eating disorders by brain stimulation and drug infusion

• US 5,782,798 A
• Filed: 06/26/1996
• Issued: 07/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Rise, Mark T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bockelman, Mark
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sadula, Jennifer R.
• Application Number:
  US08/674,498
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: 604/19, 604/48, 604/49, 604/50, 604/51, 604/93, 604/890.1, 604/891.1, 607/45, 607/72, 128/898
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0693 Brain, cerebrum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36085 Eating disorders or obesity
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/906 Drug delivery

Abstract

Techniques using one or more drugs and/or electrical stimulation for treating an eating disorder by means of an implantable signal generator and electrode and/or an implantable pump and catheter. A catheter is surgically implanted in the brain to infuse the drugs, and one or more electrodes may be surgically implanted in the brain to provide electrical stimulation.

Claims

1. A method for therapeutically treating an eating disorder of a patient having a central nervous system including a brain and a spinal cord, by at least one of drug infusion into and electrical stimulation of the central nervous system, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting at least one electrode having a proximal end coupled to a signal generator and having a stimulation portion that lies adjacent a predetermined stimulation site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined stimulation site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient;

surgically implanting a pump and a catheter having a proximal end coupled to the pump and a discharge portion that lies adjacent a predetermined infusion site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined infusion site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient;

coupling the proximal end of the at least one electrode to the signal generator;

operating the signal generator to stimulate the stimulation site; and

operating the pump to discharge a predetermined dosage of at least one drug through the discharge portion of the catheter into the infusion site while the signal generator is stimulating the stimulation site, whereby an eating disorder is treated by at least one of electrical stimulation of the stimulation site and drug infusion of the at least one drug into the infusion site.

2. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stimulation site and the infusion site are each a respective one of a paraventricular nucleus, a lateral hypothalamus, and a ventral medial hypothalamus of the brain of the patient.

3. A method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of less than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in the lateral hypothalamus, wherein electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus with the pulses causes the patient to eat.

4. A method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of less than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in one of the ventral medial hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus, wherein electrical stimulation of one of the ventral medial hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus with the pulses causes an increase in satiety for the patient.

5. A method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of greater than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in the lateral hypothalamus, wherein electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus with the pulses causes a reduction in appetite for the patient.

6. A method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of greater than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in one of the ventral medial hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus, wherein electrical stimulation of one of the ventral medial hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus with the pulses causes a reduction in satiety for the patient.

7. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one drug is one of an antagonist and a blocker substance and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in a paraventricular nucleus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into the paraventricular nucleus causes an increase in satiety for the patient.

8. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one drug is an agonist and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in one of a paraventricular nucleus and a ventral medial hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into one of the paraventricular nucleus and the ventral medial hypothalamus causes an increase in satiety for the patient.

9. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one drug is one of an agonist, a blocking substance, and an anesthetic and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in a lateral hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into the lateral hypothalamus causes a decrease in hunger for the patient.

10. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one drug is one of an agonist, an antagonist, and an anesthetic and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in one of a paraventricular nucleus and a ventral medial hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into one of the paraventricular nucleus and the ventral medial hypothalamus causes a reduction in satiety for the patient.

11. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one drug is one of an agonist and an antagonist and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in a lateral hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into the lateral hypothalamus causes an increase in hunger for the patient.

12. A method for therapeutically treating an eating disorder of a patient having a central nervous system including a brain and a spinal cord, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting a pump and a catheter having a proximal end coupled to the pump and a discharge portion that lies adjacent a predetermined infusion site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined infusion site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient; and

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, whereby an eating disorder of the patient is treated by drug infusion of the at least one drug into the infusion site on the central nervous system.

13. A method, as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one drug is one of an antagonist and a blocker substance and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in a paraventricular nucleus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into the paraventricular nucleus causes an increase in satiety for the patient.

14. A method, as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one drug is an agonist and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in one of a paraventricular nucleus and a ventral medial hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into one of the paraventricular nucleus and the ventral medial hypothalamus causes an increase in satiety for the patient.

15. A method, as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one drug is one of an agonist, a blocking substance, and an anesthetic and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in a lateral hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into the lateral hypothalamus causes a decrease in hunger for the patient.

16. A method, as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one drug is one of an agonist, an antagonist, and an anesthetic and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in one of a paraventricular nucleus and a ventral medial hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into one of the paraventricular nucleus and the ventral medial hypothalamus causes a reduction in satiety for the patient.

17. A method, as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one drug is an agonist and an antagonist and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in a lateral hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into the lateral hypothalamus causes an increase in hunger for the patient.

18. A method for therapeutically treating an eating disorder of a patient having a central nervous system including a brain and a spinal cord, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting at least one electrode within the central nervous system, each electrode having a proximal end coupled to a signal generator and having a stimulation portion that is implanted at a predetermined stimulation site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined stimulation site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient; and

operating the signal generator to generate a signal to be applied on the at least one electrode to stimulate the stimulation site, whereby the eating disorder of the patient is treated by electrical stimulation of the predetermined stimulation site with the signal generated by the signal generator.

19. A method, as claimed in claim 18, wherein the stimulation site is one of a paraventricular nucleus, a lateral hypothalamus, and a ventral medial hypothalamus of the brain of the patient.

20. A method, as claimed in claim 19, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of less than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in the lateral hypothalamus, wherein electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus with the pulses causes the patient to eat.

21. A method, as claimed in claim 19, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of less than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in one of the ventral medial hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus, wherein electrical stimulation of one of the ventral medial hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus with the pulses causes an increase in satiety for the patient.

22. A method, as claimed in claim 19, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of greater than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in the lateral hypothalamus, wherein electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus with the pulses causes a reduction in appetite for the patient.

23. A method, as claimed in claim 19, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of greater than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in one of the ventral medial hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus, wherein electrical stimulation of one of the ventral medial hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus with the pulses causes a reduction in satiety for the patient.

24. A method for therapeutically treating an eating disorder of a patient having a central nervous system including a brain and a spinal cord, by at least one of drug infusion into and electrical stimulation of the central nervous system, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting at least one electrode having a proximal end coupled to a signal generator and having a stimulation portion that lies adjacent a predetermined stimulation site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined stimulation site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient;

surgically implanting a pump and a catheter having a proximal end coupled to the pump and a discharge portion that lies adjacent a predetermined infusion site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined infusion site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient;

coupling the proximal end of the electrode to the signal generator;

operating the signal generator to stimulate the stimulation site; and

operating the pump to discharge a predetermined dosage of at least one drug through the discharge portion of the catheter into the infusion site while the signal generator is stimulating the stimulation site, whereby an eating disorder is treated by at least one of electrical stimulation of the stimulation site and drug infusion into the infusion site,

wherein the stimulation site and the infusion site are each a respective one of a paraventricular nucleus, a lateral hypothalamus, and a ventral medial hypothalamus of the brain of the patient.

25. A method, as claimed in claim 24, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of less than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in the lateral hypothalamus, wherein electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus with the pulses causes the patient to eat.

26. A method, as claimed in claim 24, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of less than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in one of the ventral medial hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus, wherein electrical stimulation of one of the ventral medial hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus with the pulses causes an increase in satiety for the patient.

27. A method, as claimed in claim 24, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of greater than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in the lateral hypothalamus, wherein electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus with the pulses causes a reduction in appetite for the patient.

28. A method, as claimed in claim 24, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of greater than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in one of the ventral medial hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus, wherein electrical stimulation of one of the ventral medial hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus with the pulses causes a reduction in satiety for the patient.

29. A method for therapeutically treating an eating disorder of a patient having a central nervous system including a brain and a spinal cord, by at least one of drug infusion into and electrical stimulation of the central nervous system, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting at least one electrode having a proximal end coupled to a signal generator and having a stimulation portion that lies adjacent a predetermined stimulation site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined stimulation site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient;

surgically implanting a pump and a catheter having a proximal end coupled to the pump and a discharge portion that lies adjacent a predetermined infusion site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined infusion site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient;

coupling the proximal end of the electrode to the signal generator;

operating the signal generator to stimulate the stimulation site; and

operating the pump to discharge a predetermined dosage of at least one drug through the discharge portion of the catheter into the infusion site while the signal generator is stimulating the stimulation site, whereby an eating disorder is treated by at least one of electrical stimulation of the stimulation site and drug infusion into the infusion site,

wherein the at least one drug is one of an antagonist and a blocker substance and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in a paraventricular nucleus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into the paraventricular nucleus causes an increase in satiety for the patient.

30. A method for therapeutically treating an eating disorder of a patient having a central nervous system including a brain and a spinal cord, by at least one of drug infusion into and electrical stimulation of the central nervous system, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting at least one electrode having a proximal end coupled to a signal generator and having a stimulation portion that lies adjacent a predetermined stimulation site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined stimulation site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient;

surgically implanting a pump and a catheter having a proximal end coupled to the pump and a discharge portion that lies adjacent a predetermined infusion site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined infusion site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient;

coupling the proximal end of the electrode to the signal generator;

operating the signal generator to stimulate the stimulation site; and

operating the pump to discharge a predetermined dosage of at least one drug through the discharge portion of the catheter into the infusion site while the signal generator is stimulating the stimulation site, whereby an eating disorder is treated by at least one of electrical stimulation of the stimulation site and drug infusion into the infusion site,

wherein the at least one drug is an agonist and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in one of a paraventricular nucleus and a ventral medial hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into one of the paraventricular nucleus and the ventral medial hypothalamus causes an increase in satiety for the patient.

31. A method for therapeutically treating an eating disorder of a patient having a central nervous system including a brain and a spinal cord, by at least one of drug infusion into and electrical stimulation of the central nervous system, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting at least one electrode having a proximal end coupled to a signal generator and having a stimulation portion that lies adjacent a predetermined stimulation site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined stimulation site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient;

surgically implanting a pump and a catheter having a proximal end coupled to the pump and a discharge portion that lies adjacent a predetermined infusion site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined infusion site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient;

coupling the proximal end of the electrode to the signal generator;

operating the signal generator to stimulate the stimulation site; and

operating the pump to discharge a predetermined dosage of at least one drug through the discharge portion of the catheter into the infusion site while the signal generator is stimulating the stimulation site, whereby an eating disorder is treated by at least one of electrical stimulation of the stimulation site and drug infusion into the infusion site,

wherein the at least one drug is one of an agonist, a blocking substance, and an anesthetic and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in a lateral hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into the lateral hypothalamus causes a decrease in hunger for the patient.

32. A method for therapeutically treating an eating disorder of a patient having a central nervous system including a brain and a spinal cord, by at least one of drug infusion into and electrical stimulation of the central nervous system, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting at least one electrode having a proximal end coupled to a signal generator and having a stimulation portion that lies adjacent a predetermined stimulation site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined stimulation site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient;

surgically implanting a pump and a catheter having a proximal end coupled to the pump and a discharge portion that lies adjacent a predetermined infusion site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined infusion site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient;

coupling the proximal end of the electrode to the signal generator;

operating the signal generator to stimulate the stimulation site; and

operating the pump to discharge a predetermined dosage of at least one drug through the discharge portion of the catheter into the infusion site while the signal generator is stimulating the stimulation site, whereby an eating disorder is treated by at least one of electrical stimulation of the stimulation site and drug infusion into the infusion site,

wherein the at least one drug is one of an agonist, an antagonist, and an anesthetic and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in one of a paraventricular nucleus and a ventral medial hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into one of the paraventricular nucleus and the ventral medial hypothalamus causes a reduction in satiety for the patient.

33. A method for therapeutically treating an eating disorder of a patient having a central nervous system including a brain and a spinal cord, by at least one of drug infusion into and electrical stimulation of the central nervous system, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting at least one electrode having a proximal end coupled to a signal generator and having a stimulation portion that lies adjacent a predetermined stimulation site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined stimulation site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient;

surgically implanting a pump and a catheter having a proximal end coupled to the pump and a discharge portion that lies adjacent a predetermined infusion site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined infusion site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient;

coupling the proximal end of the electrode to the signal generator;

operating the signal generator to stimulate the stimulation site; and

operating the pump to discharge a predetermined dosage of at least one drug through the discharge portion of the catheter into the infusion site while the signal generator is stimulating the stimulation site, whereby an eating disorder is treated by at least one of electrical stimulation of the stimulation site and drug infusion into the infusion site,

wherein the at least one drug is one of an agonist and an antagonist and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in a lateral hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into the lateral hypothalamus causes an increase in hunger for the patient.

34. A method for therapeutically treating an eating disorder of a patient having a central nervous system including a brain and a spinal cord, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting a pump and a catheter having a proximal end coupled to the pump and a discharge portion that lies adjacent a predetermined infusion site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined infusion site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient; and

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, whereby an eating disorder of the patient is treated by drug infusion of the at least one drug into the infusion site on the central nervous system,

wherein the at least one drug is one of an antagonist and a blocker substance and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in a paraventricular nucleus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into the paraventricular nucleus causes an increase in satiety for the patient.

35. A method for therapeutically treating an eating disorder of a patient having a central nervous system including a brain and a spinal cord, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting a pump and a catheter having a proximal end coupled to the pump and a discharge portion that lies adjacent a predetermined infusion site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined infusion site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient; and

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, whereby an eating disorder of the patient is treated by drug infusion of the at least one drug into the infusion site on the central nervous system,

wherein the at least one drug is an agonist and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in one of a paraventricular nucleus and a ventral medial hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into one of the paraventricular nucleus and the ventral medial hypothalamus causes an increase in satiety for the patient.

36. A method for therapeutically treating an eating disorder of a patient having a central nervous system including a brain and a spinal cord, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting a pump and a catheter having a proximal end coupled to the pump and a discharge portion that lies adjacent a predetermined infusion site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined infusion site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient; and

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, whereby an eating disorder of the patient is treated by drug infusion of the at least one drug into the infusion site on the central nervous system,

wherein the at least one drug is one of an agonist, a blocking substance, and an anesthetic and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in a lateral hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into the lateral hypothalamus causes a decrease in hunger for the patient.

37. A method for therapeutically treating an eating disorder of a patient having a central nervous system including a brain and a spinal cord, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting a pump and a catheter having a proximal end coupled to the pump and a discharge portion that lies adjacent a predetermined infusion site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined infusion site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient; and

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, whereby an eating disorder of the patient is treated by drug infusion of the at least one drug into the infusion site on the central nervous system,

wherein the at least one drug is one of an agonist, an antagonist, and an anesthetic and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in one of a paraventricular nucleus and a ventral medial hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into one of the paraventricular nucleus and the ventral medial hypothalamus causes a reduction in satiety for the patient.

38. A method for therapeutically treating an eating disorder of a patient having a central nervous system including a brain and a spinal cord, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting a pump and a catheter having a proximal end coupled to the pump and a discharge portion that lies adjacent a predetermined infusion site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined infusion site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient; and

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, whereby an eating disorder of the patient is treated by drug infusion of the at least one drug into the infusion site on the central nervous system,

wherein the at least one drug is an agonist and an antagonist and wherein the step of surgically implanting the catheter comprises a step of surgically implanting the discharge portion in a lateral hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, wherein drug infusion of the at least one drug into the lateral hypothalamus causes an increase in hunger for the patient.

39. A method for therapeutically treating an eating disorder of a patient having a central nervous system including a brain and a spinal cord, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting at least one electrode having a proximal end coupled to a signal generator and having a stimulation portion that lies adjacent a predetermined stimulation site in the central nervous system of the patient, the predetermined stimulation site being a site on the central nervous system that controls at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient; and

operating the signal generator to generate a signal to be applied on the electrodes to stimulate the stimulation site, whereby the eating disorder of the patient is treated by electrical stimulation of the predetermined stimulation site with the signal generated by the signal generator,

wherein the stimulation site is one of a paraventricular nucleus, a lateral hypothalamus, and a ventral medial hypothalamus of the brain of the patient.

40. A method, as claimed in claim 39, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of less than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in the lateral hypothalamus, wherein electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus with the pulses causes the patient to eat.

41. A method, as claimed in claim 39, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of less than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in one of the ventral medial hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus, wherein electrical stimulation of one of the ventral medial hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus with the pulses causes an increase in satiety for the patient.

42. A method, as claimed in claim 39, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of greater than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in the lateral hypothalamus, wherein electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus with the pulses causes a reduction in appetite for the patient.

43. A method, as claimed in claim 39, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of greater than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in one of the ventral medial hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus, wherein electrical stimulation of one of the ventral medial hypothalamus and the paraventricular nucleus with the pulses causes a reduction in satiety for the patient.

44. A method for therapeutically treating an eating disorder of a human patient having a central nervous system including a brain and a spinal cord, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically implanting at least one electrode within the central nervous system, the electrode having a proximal end coupled to a signal generator and having a stimulation portion that is implanted at a predetermined stimulation site that is one of a paraventricular nucleus and a lateral hypothalamus of the brain of the patient, the paraventricular nucleus and the lateral hypothalamus controlling at least one of hunger and satiety for the patient; and

operating the signal generator to generate a signal to be applied on the electrodes to stimulate the stimulation site, whereby the eating disorder of the patient is treated by electrical stimulation of the predetermined stimulation site with the signal generated by the signal generator.

45. A method, as claimed in claim 44, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of less than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in the lateral hypothalamus, wherein electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus with the pulses causes the patient to eat.

46. A method, as claimed in claim 44, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of less than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in the paraventricular nucleus, wherein electrical stimulation of the paraventricular nucleus with the pulses causes an increase in satiety for the patient.

47. A method, as claimed in claim 44, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of greater than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in the lateral hypothalamus, wherein electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus with the pulses causes a reduction in appetite for the patient.

48. A method, as claimed in claim 44, wherein the signal generator generates pulses having a repetition rate of greater than 100 Hz and wherein the step of surgically implanting the at least one electrode comprises a step of implanting the stimulation portion in the paraventricular nucleus, wherein electrical stimulation of the paraventricular nucleus with the pulses causes a reduction in satiety for the patient.