Treatment of conditions through modulation of the autonomic nervous system

• US 7,738,952 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2005
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• 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:
  US11/060,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20050240241A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,945 Days
• Field of Search: 607/1, 607/2, 607/45, 607/40
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• 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 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36053 adapted for vagal stimulation A61N1/36114 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer

Abstract

Methods are provided for treating a subject for a condition by modulating at least a portion of the subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system. In accordance with certain embodiments of the subject methods, at least a portion of a subject'"'"'s autonomic nervous system is electrically or pharmacologically modulated in a manner that is effective to treat the subject for the condition. 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 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 condition is a neurodegenerative condition chosen from the group of Alzheimer'"'"'s Disease, Pick'"'"'s Disease, Parkinson'"'"'s Disease, dementia, delirium, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

2. A method of treating a subject for a condition 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 condition is a lymphoproliferative condition chosen from the group of:

lymphoma, lymphoproliferative disease, Hodgkin'"'"'s disease, and inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver.

3. A method of treating a subject for a condition 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 condition is a gastrointestinal condition chosen from the group of:

hepatitis, xerostomia, bowel mobility, peptic ulcer disease, constipation, ileus, irritable bowel syndrome, post-operative bowel dysmotility, inflammatory bowel disease, typhilitis, cholelithiasis, cholestasis, fecal incontinence, and cyclic vomiting syndrome.

4. A method of treating a subject for a condition 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 condition is a skin condition chosen from the group of:

wrinkles, cutaneous vasculitis, rash; and

psoriasis.

5. A method of treating a subject for a condition 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 condition is a Th-2 dominant condition chosen from the group of:

typhilitis, osteoporosis, lymphoma, myasthenia gravis, and lupus.