Stimulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion for treating depression

• US 7,877,147 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2007
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BrainsGate Ltd.
• Original Assignee: BrainsGate Ltd.
• Inventors: Gross, Yossi, Shalev, Alon
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow; Scott M
• Application Number:
  US11/656,808
• Publication Number:
  US 20070142875A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,464 Days
• Field of Search: 607 38- 58
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4076 Diagnosing or monitoring particular conditions of the nervous system A61B5/4821, A61B5/4824 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0546 Nasal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/10 for treating ischaemic or atherosclerotic diseases, e.g. antianginal drugs, coronary vasodilators, drugs for myocardial infarction, retinopathy, cerebrovascula insufficiency, renal arteriosclerosis

Abstract

Apparatus for modifying a property of a brain of a patient is provided, including one or more electrodes (7), adapted to be applied to a site selected from a group of sites consisting of: a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) (6) of the patient and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG. A control unit (8) is adapted to drive the one or more electrodes to apply a current to the site capable of inducing (a) an increase in permeability of a blood-brain barrier (BBB) of the patient, (b) a change in cerebral blood flow of the patient, and/or (c) an inhibition of parasympathetic activity of the SPG.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

identifying that a patient suffers from depression; and

treating the depression by directly applying a current to a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the patient, and configuring the current to activate the site to induce a change in cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the patient.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein applying the current comprises implanting an electrode in contact with or in a vicinity of the SPG, designated to remain in the patient for a period greater than about one month.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein applying the current comprises placing an electrode in contact with or in a vicinity of the SPG implanting an implanted unit, and communicating with the implanted unit by wireless communication from a position external to the patient.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein applying the current comprises implanting a stimulator through a nasal cavity of the patient.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein configuring the current comprises configuring the current to induce an increase in the CBF.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein configuring the current comprises configuring the current to induce vasodilation of middle cerebral and anterior cerebral lumens of the patient.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein treating the depression comprises treating the depression on a long-term basis.

8. A method comprising:

identifying that a patient suffers from anxiety; and

treating the anxiety by directly applying a current to a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the patient, and configuring the current to activate the site to induce a change in cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the patient.