System and method for treating movement disorders, including restless leg syndrome

• US 7,774,068 B1
• Filed: 10/27/2006
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andres M. Lozano
• Original Assignee: Andres M. Lozano
• Inventors: Lozano, Andres M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Manuel; George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wieland; Robert N
• Application Number:
  US11/588,212
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/45, 607/3, 607/48, 600/378, 600/13
• US Class Current: 607/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36067 Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003

Abstract

Systems and methods for treating movement disorders using cortical stimulation. In one embodiment, a method for treating movement disorders comprises determining a site at the cortex of the brain of a patient related to a movement disorder (e.g., restless leg syndrome) of an afflicted body part. The site can be determined by obtaining a representation of neural activity occurring in the cortex of the patient and correlating an area of neural activity with the afflicted body part. The method can also include applying neural stimulation, such as electrical or magnetic waveforms, directly to the site.

Claims

1. A method for treating restless leg syndrome, comprising:

providing cortical stimulation via an electrical current to the primary motor cortex of a patient'"'"'s brain to treat restless leg syndrome, wherein said cortical stimulation increases dopamine release in the striatum.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulation has a frequency in the range of about 1 Hz to about 200 Hz.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said frequency is in the range of about 20 Hz to about 80 Hz.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulation is applied at a current level of about 1 mA to about 12 mA.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulation is provided cyclically in a random, non-random or pseudorandom cycle.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulation is provided in a bipolar or unipolar manner.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulation is electromagnetic stimulation.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulation is electrical and/or magnetic stimulation.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said magnetic stimulation is applied by transcranial magnetic stimulation techniques.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said method eliminates restless leg syndrome.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulation is applied with a voltage of about 5 volts in combination with a frequency of about 20 Hz.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulation has a current of about 0.1 mA to 10 mA, an impedance of about 600 to 1000 Ohms, a pulse duration of about 160 microseconds, and a frequency of about 130 Hz, wherein said stimulation is applied during 30 to 60 minute intervals.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulation has a current of about 0.1 mA to 10 mA, a pulse duration of about 150 to 180 microseconds, and a frequency of about 25 Hz to 31 Hz, wherein said stimulation is applied continuously during waking periods.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said stimulation is discontinued during sleeping periods.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said stimulation has a current of about 2 mA to 4 mA, a pulse duration of about 90 microseconds, and a frequency of about 30 Hz, wherein said stimulation is applied continuously during waking periods.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said stimulation is discontinued during sleeping periods.