Computerized method and device for remediating exaggerated sensory response in an individual with an impaired sensory modality

• US 6,234,979 B1
• Filed: 03/31/1998
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp. (Carnegie Learning, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Scientific Learning Corp. (Carnegie Learning, Inc.)
• Inventors: Merzenich, Michael M.
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US09/052,741
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 600/558, 600/559, 600/587
• US Class Current: 600/559
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/005 images, e.g. video
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/70 relating to mental therapies, e.g. psychological therapy or autogenous training
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for implementing a training regimen which alleviates exaggerated sensory, perceptual, cognitive and/or emotional response problems. For example, in the aural domain, some autistic individuals are hypersensitive to one of the senses, e.g., sound. As discussed above, sounds at the specific frequency can cause discomfort to these autistic individuals even when presented at an intensity level which normally is not perceived as being too loud by most individuals. Similarly, tinnitus afflicted individuals also suffer from disconcerting perceived ringing sensations in their ears. The present invention hypothesizes that a catastrophic cascade of responses within a “supergroup” of auditory neurons is triggered by a hypersensitive response to a particular frequency or range of frequencies. The self sustaining cascade is very much like an epileptic seizure in which the sudden involuntary response of a relatively small group of neurons trigger responses in a supergroup of neurons located in the motor control region of the brain. In accordance with the present invention, the abnormally sensitive response problem associated with supergroups can be substantially alleviated via a remedial training regimen which emphasizes the redevelopment of the afflicted individual'"'"'s ability to make fine sensory distinctions and/or the improvement of the individual'"'"'s differential sensory acuteness. Providing the regimen to the individual consistently over a period of time increases the likelihood of normal or near normal sensory ability returning.

Claims

1. A method of using an apparatus for implementing a training regime having a stimulator and an input device, for remediating exaggerated responses associated with a supergroup of neurons in an individual with an associated with impaired modality, the method comprising:

a) selecting a first stimulus substantially corresponding to a first boundary of the supergroup of neurons;

b) providing said first stimulus using the stimulator;

c) receiving feedback from the individual via the input device indicating the intensity of the individual'"'"'s response to the first stimulus; and

d) adaptively repeating b and c while modifying the first stimulus based on feedback from c, thereby gradually reducing the sensitivity of the supergroup while avoiding an exaggerated response to the first stimulus.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

e) selecting a second stimulus substantially corresponding to a second boundary of the supergroup of neurons;

f) providing said second stimulus using the stimulator;

g) receiving feedback from the individual via the input device indicating the intensity of the individual'"'"'s response to the second stimulus; and

h) adaptively repeating b, c, f and g while modifying the first or second stimulus based on feedback from c and g, thereby gradually reducing the sensitivity of the supergroup while avoiding a substantially exaggerated response to either the first or second stimulus.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the impaired modality is sensory perceptual based.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the impaired modality is aural.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the impaired modality is sensory perceptual based.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the impaired modality is aural.