System for stimulating brain plasticity

• US 6,221,908 B1
• Filed: 12/31/1998
• Issued: 04/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp. (Carnegie Learning, Inc.), Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp. (Carnegie Learning, Inc.), Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Kilgard, Michael P., Merzenich, Michael M.
• Primary Examiner(s): FONDA, KATHLEEN KAHLER
• Application Number:
  US09/224,510
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 514/546, 514/642, 607/3, 607/2, 607/45
• US Class Current: 514/546
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/30 Apparatus for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body, or cataphoresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

A system for stimulating brain plasticity releases acetylcholine into the learner'"'"'s brain while the learner is receiving incoming stimuli or performing an activity during the learning process. It is believed that acetylcholine helps the brain in the learning and memorizing process. In one embodiment, the nucleus basalis region of the learner'"'"'s brain is electrically stimulated to release acetylcholine, thereby aiding the learning and memorizing process. The electrical stimulation advantageously reduces the need for the learner to attach “behavioral importance” and to pay close attention on the incoming stimuli or activity to stimulate the release of acetylcholine. In other embodiments, delivery systems such as microinjection, implanted micro release devices or implanted photo-sensitive release devices may be used to release acetylcholine into the brain to aid the learning process.

Claims

1. A method of stimulating brain plasticity in a subject comprising:

electrically stimulating the subject'"'"'s nucleus basalis from 300 to 500 times per day with biphasic electrical pulses; and

providing information to be learned to the subject substantially coincident with each electrical pulse.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject'"'"'s nucleus basalis is electrically stimulated from 300 to 400 times per day.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject'"'"'s nucleus basalis is electrically stimulated on each successive day for a plurality of days.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject'"'"'s nucleus basalis is electrically stimulated on each successive day for a period of from 20 days to 25 days.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said biphasic electrical pulses has a current in the range of from 70 microamps to 150 microamps.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the subject'"'"'s nucleus basalis is electrically stimulated on each successive day for a plurality of days.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the subject'"'"'s nucleus basalis is electrically stimulated on each successive day for a period of from 20 days to 25 days.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein each of said biphasic electrical pulses has a currert in the range of from 70 microamps to 150 microamps.