Methods and systems for management of alzheimer's disease

• US 7,640,062 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2005
• Issued: 12/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BrainsGate Ltd.
• Original Assignee: BrainsGate Ltd.
• Inventors: Shalev, Alon
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): MALAMUD, DEBORAH LESLIE
• Application Number:
  US10/518,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20060020299A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,635 Days
• Field of Search: 607/1, 607/2, 607/45
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

A method is provided for treating Alzheimer'"'"'s disease (AD). The method includes stimulating a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of a subject so that the concentration of a substance in a brain of the subject changes.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

directly applying an electrical signal to a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of a subject suffering from Alzheimer'"'"'s disease (AD); and

treating the AD by configuring the electrical signal to stimulate the SPG.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein configuring comprises configuring the electrical signal so as to cause an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the subject, so as to treat the AD.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein configuring the electrical signal comprises configuring the electrical signal to induce parasympathetic activation of the SPG.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the electrical signal comprises applying long-term stimulation to the SPG.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein applying the long-term stimulation comprises applying long-term intermittent stimulation to the SPG.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein directly applying the electrical signal comprises implanting an electrical stimulator in a nasal cavity of the subject, and applying the electrical signal using the stimulator.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein directly applying the electrical signal comprises directly attaching an electrical stimulator to the SPG, and applying the electrical signal using the stimulator.