Methods of modulating aspects of brain neural plasticity by vagus nerve stimulation

• US 6,339,725 B1
• Filed: 07/10/2000
• Issued: 01/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University
• Original Assignee: Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University
• Inventors: Smith, Douglas C., Jensen, Robert A., Terry, Reese S. Jr., Clark, Kevin B., Browning, Ronald A., Naritoku, Dean K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US09/613,368
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 607/45
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36053 adapted for vagal stimulation A61N1/36114 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36064 Epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36157 Current A61N1/3616 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36167 Timing, e.g. stimulation onset

Abstract

Methods of modulating brain neural plasticity, improving memory and learning, improving recovery from traumatic brain injury, preventing epilepsy, treating memory disorders and chronic memory impairment, and treating persistent impairment of consciousness in humans and animals by vagus nerve stimulation are provided. These methods comprise selecting an appropriate human or animal subject and applying to the subject'"'"'s vagus nerve an electrical stimulation signal having parameter values effective in modulating the electrical activity of the vagus nerve in a manner so as to modulate the activity of preselected portions of the brain.

Claims

1. A method of modulating brain neural plasticity in a human or animal subject in need thereof, the method comprising:

(a) applying to the vagus nerve of said human or animal subject a stimulating electrical signal, said electrical signal being effective to cause a physiological, structural, or neuronal connective alteration in the brain; and

(b) changing neural function in the brain as a consequence of the alteration caused by applying said stimulating electrical signal, thereby changing behavior, or the capacity for behavior, in said human or animal subject.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising producing said stimulating electrical signal with a stimulus generator implanted within the human or animal subject'"'"'s body.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electrical signal supplies a current to the vagus nerve in the range of from about 0.1 mA to about 10 mA.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electrical signal supplies a current to the vagus nerve in the range of from about 0.1 mA to about 4 mA.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electrical signal comprises a train of pulses, each pulse having a pulse width ranging from about 50 μ

sec. to about 1,500 μ

sec.

6. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electrical signal comprises a train of pulses, each pulse having a pulse width ranging from about 400 μ

sec. to about 750 μ

sec.

7. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electrical signal comprises a train of pulses having a frequency ranging from about 1 Hz to about 75 Hz.

8. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electrical signal comprises a train of pulses having a frequency ranging from about 10 Hz to about 40 Hz.

9. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electrical signal is monophasic, biphasic, or a combination thereof.

10. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electrical signal comprises a train of pulses having a train duration ranging from about 1 second to about 4 hours.

11. A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein trains are supplied on demand.

12. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electrical signal comprises a train of pulses having a train duration ranging from about 5 seconds to about 1 hour.

13. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electrical signal comprises trains of pulses having an interval between trains ranging from about 1 second to about 1 week.

14. A method of as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electrical signal comprises trains of pulses having an interval between trains ranging from about 5 seconds to about 4 hours.