Treatment of conditions through electrical modulation of the autonomic nervous system

• US 7,149,574 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2003
• Issued: 12/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Palo Alto Investors
• Original Assignee: Palo Alto Investors
• Inventors: Lee, Patrick Yuarn-Bor, Yun, Anthony Joonkyoo
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US10/661,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20040249416A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 607 2- 59
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36189 using modulation techniques

Abstract

Methods are provided for treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in the subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system. In accordance with the subject methods, at least a portion of a subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system is electrically modulated to increase the parasympathetic activity/sympathetic activity ratio in a manner that is effective to treat the subject for the condition. Certain embodiments include electrically modulating at least a portion of a subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system by inhibiting and/or increasing activity in at least a portion of the subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system. The subject methods find use in the treatment of a variety of different conditions, where such conditions include various disease conditions. Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Claims

1. A method of treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system, said method comprising:

electrically modulating at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system to increase the parasympathetic activity/sympathetic activity ratio to a ratio analogous to that observed in a health subject in a manner effective to treat said subject for said condition, wherein said parasympathetic activity/to sympathetic activity ratio is increased by increasing activity in at least one parasympathetic nerve fiber and inhibiting activity in at least one sympathetic nerve fiber, wherein said at least one sympathetic nerve fiber is a cardiac nerve fiber, wherein said condition is chosen from neurodegenerative diseases, neuroinflammatory diseases, orthopedic diseases, lymphoproliferative diseases, inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, endocrine disorders, genitourinary disorders, skin disorders, conditions that cause hypoxia, conditions that cause hypercarbia, conditions that cause acidosis and Th-2 dominant conditions, wherein said condition is treated by applying electrical energy to at least one of the vagus nerve, cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, sympathetic nerve, sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion, lumber splanchnic nerves, and lesser splanchnic nerves.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said abnormality is an abnormally low parasympathetic activity in at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said abnormality is an abnormally high parasympathetic activity in at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said abnormality is an abnormally high sympathetic activity in at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said parasympathetic activity in at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system is normal.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein said parasympathetic activity in at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system is abnormally low.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein said parasympathetic activity in at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system is abnormally high.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is employed to treat a neurodegenerative condition by applying electrical energy to at least one of the vagus nerve, cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, sympathetic nerve and sympathetic ganglia.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is employed to treat orthopedic conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the vagus nerve, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves and sympathetic chain ganglia.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is employed to treat neuroinflammatory conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is employed to treat lymphoproliferative conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is employed to treat inflammatory conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is employed to treat infectious diseases by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is a method of treating gastrointestinal conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the vagus nerve, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is a method of treating endocrine disorders by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is a method of treating genitourinary conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the vagus nerve, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is a method of treating skin conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the vagus nerve, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia and coccygeal ganglia.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is a method of treating Th-2 dominant conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is a method of treating conditions that cause hypoxia, by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is a method of treating conditions that cause hypercarbia, by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is a method of treating conditions that cause acidosis by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

22. The method according to claim 1, wherein said parasympathetic activity/to sympathetic activity ratio is increased by increasing activity in at least one parasympathetic nerve fiber.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said at least one nerve fiber is a vagus nerve fiber.

24. The method according to claim 1, wherein increasing said activity in at least one parasympathetic nerve fiber is performed at the same time as inhibiting activity in at least one sympathetic nerve fiber.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein increasing said activity in at least one parasympathetic nerve fiber is performed before or after inhibiting activity in at least one sympathetic nerve fiber.

26. The method according to claim 1, wherein an implanted electrostimulatory device is employed to electrically modulate said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system.

27. The method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises pharmacologically modulating said at least a portion of said autonomic nervous system.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein said pharmacological modulation is performed at the same time as said electrical modulation.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein said pharmacological modulation is performed before or after said electrical modulation.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein said pharmacological modulation is accomplished by the use of at least one pharmacological agent chosen from cholinergics;

acetylcholinesteriase inhibitors;

magnesium;

magnesium variants;

catecholamines inhibitors;

nicotine;

muscarinics;

beta-blockers and neurotoxins.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein said at least one pharmacological agent is chosen from Bethanechol, Oxotremorine, Methacholine, Cevimeline;

Edrophonium, Neostigmine, Donepezil, Tacrine, Echothiophate, Diisopropylfluorophosphate, Demecarium, Pralidoxime, Galanthamine, Tetraethyl pyrophosphate, Parathoin, Malathion, Isoflurophate, Metrifonate, Physostigmine, Rivastigmine, Abenonium acetylchol, Carbaryl acetylchol, Propoxur acetylchol, Aldicarb acetylchol, Muscarine, Pilocarpine, magnesium sulfate, botox and capsaicin.

32. A computer-readable medium comprising programming for electrically modulating at least a portion of a subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system according to claim 1.

33. A kit comprising:

(a) an electrostimulatory device; and

(b) instructions for practicing the method of claim 1.

34. The kit according to claim 33, wherein said electrostimulatory device is an implantable device.

35. The kit according to claim 33, wherein said kit further comprises at least one pharmacological agent for modulating at least a portion of said autonomic nervous system.

36. The kit of claim 35, wherein said at least one pharmacological agent is chosen from cholinergics;

acetylcholinesteriase inhibitors;

magnesium;

magnesium variants;

catecholamines inhibitors;

nicotine;

muscarinics;

beta-blockers and neurotoxins.

37. The kit of claim 35, wherein said at least one pharmacological agent is chosen from Bethanechol, Oxotremorine, Methacholine, Cevimeline;

Edrophonium, Neostigmine, Donepezil, Tacrine, Echothiophate, Diisopropylfluorophosphate, Demecarium, Pralidoxime, Galanthamine, Tetraethyl pyrophosphate, Parathoin, Malathion, Isoflurophate, Metrifonate, Physostigmine, Rivastigmine, Abenonium acetylchol, Carbaryl acetylchol, Propoxur acetylchol, Aldicarb acetylchol, Muscarine, Pilocarpine, magnesium sulfate, botox and capsaicin.

38. The kit according to claim 33, further comprising an introducer needle for introducing said electrostimulatory device into the body of a subject.

39. The kit of claim 33, further comprising a computer-readable medium according to claim 32.

40. A method of treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system, said method comprising:

electrically modulating at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system to increase the parasympathetic activity/sympathetic activity ratio in a manner effective to treat said subject for said condition,

wherein said method is employed to treat a neurodegenerative condition by applying electrical energy to at least one of the vagus nerve, cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, sympathetic nerve and sympathetic ganglia.

41. A method of treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in said subjects autonomic nervous system, said method comprising:

electrically modulating at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system to increase the parasympathetic activity/sympathetic activity ratio in a manner effective to treat said subject for said condition,

wherein said method is employed to treat orthopedic conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the vagus nerve, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves and sympathetic chain ganglia.

42. A method of treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system, said method comprising;

electrically modulating at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system to increase the parasympathetic activity/sympathetic activity ratio in a manner effective to treat said subject for said condition,

wherein said method is employed to treat neuroinflammatory conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

43. A method of treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system, said method comprising:

electrically modulating at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system to increase the parasympathetic activity/sympathetic activity ratio in a manner effective to treat said subject for said condition,

wherein said method is employed to treat lymphoproliferative conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

44. A method of treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system, said method comprising:

electrically modulating at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system to increase the parasympathetic activity/sympathetic activity ratio in a manner effective to treat said subject for said condition,

wherein said method is employed to treat inflammatory conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

45. A method of treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system, said method comprising:

electrically modulating at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system to increase the parasympathetic activity/sympathetic activity ratio in a manner effective to treat said subject for said condition,

wherein said method is employed to treat infectious diseases by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

46. A method of treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system, said method comprising:

electrically modulating at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system to increase the parasympathetic activity/sympathetic activity ratio in a manner effective to treat said subject for said condition,

wherein said method is a method of treating Th-2 dominant conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

47. A method of treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system, said method comprising:

electrically modulating at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system to increase the parasympathetic activity/sympathetic activity ratio in a manner effective to treat said subject for said condition,

wherein said method is a method of treating conditions that cause hypoxia, by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

48. A method of treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system, said method comprising:

electrically modulating at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system to increase the parasympathetic activity/sympathetic activity ratio in a manner effective to treat said subject for said condition,

wherein said method is a method of treating conditions that cause hypercarbia, by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

49. A method of treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system, said method comprising:

electrically modulating at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system to increase the parasympathetic activity/sympathetic activity ratio in a manner effective to treat said subject for said condition,

wherein said method is a method of treating conditions that cause acidosis by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

50. A method of treating a subject for a condition caused by an abnormality in said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system, said method comprising:

electrically modulating at least a portion of said subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system to increase the parasympathetic activity/sympathetic activity ratio to a ratio analogous to that observed in a health subject in a manner effective to treat said subject for said condition, wherein said parasympathetic activity/to sympathetic activity ratio is increased by increasing activity in at least one parasympathetic nerve fiber and inhibiting activity in at least one sympathetic nerve fiber,

wherein said condition is chosen from cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, neuroinflammatory diseases, orthopedic diseases, lymphoproliferative diseases, inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, endocrine disorders, genitourinary disorders, skin disorders, conditions that cause hypoxia, conditions that cause hypercarbia, conditions that cause acidosis, Th-2 dominant conditions,

wherein said method is employed to treat a neurodegenerative condition by applying electrical energy to at least one of the vagus nerve, cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, sympathetic nerve and sympathetic ganglia

wherein said method is further employed to treat a second condition by applying electrical energy to at least one of the vagus nerve, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, cardiac plexus and pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein said method is further employed to treat orthopedic conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the vagus nerve, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves and sympathetic chain ganglia.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein said method is further employed to treat neuroinflammatory conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

53. The method of claim 50, wherein said method is further employed to treat lymphoproliferative conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

54. The method of claim 50, wherein said method is further employed to treat inflammatory conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

55. The method of claim 50, wherein said method is further employed to treat infectious diseases by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac and pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

56. The method of claim 50, wherein said method is a method of treating gastrointestinal conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the vagus nerve, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

57. The method of claim 50, wherein said method is a method of treating endocrine disorders by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

58. The method of claim 50, wherein said method is a method of treating genitourinary conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the vagus nerve, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

59. The method of claim 50, wherein said method is a method of treating skin conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the vagus nerve, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia and coccygeal ganglia.

60. The method of claim 50, wherein said method is a method of treating Th-2 dominant conditions by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

61. The method of claim 50, wherein said method is a method of treating conditions that cause hypoxia, by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

62. The method of claim 50, wherein said method is a method of treating conditions that cause hypercarbia, by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.

63. The method of claim 50, wherein said method is a method of treating conditions that cause acidosis by applying electrical energy to at least one of the cranial nerve III, cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, sphenopalatine ganglion, ciliary ganglion, submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, vagus nerve, cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, celiac plexus, hypogastric plexus, pelvic nerves, cervical sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, postganglionic fibers to spinal nerves, sympathetic chain ganglia, coccygeal ganglia, greater splanchnic nerve, lesser splanchnic nerve, inferior mesenteric ganglion, celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion and lumber splanchnic nerves.