Stimulation of the amygdalohippocampal complex to treat neurological conditions

• US 8,463,387 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2012
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: De Ridder, Dirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stice, Paula J
• Application Number:
  US13/567,679
• Publication Number:
  US 20130018435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 309 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• 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 1/36036 of the outer, middle or inner ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3606 adapted for a particular treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36085 Eating disorders or obesity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36096 Mood disorders, e.g. depression, anxiety or panic disorder
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/361 Phantom sensations, e.g. tinnitus
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3611 Respiration control stimulating respiratory organs A61N1/3601
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36117 for treating hypertension
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue

Abstract

A system and/or method treating for a neurological disorder by brain region stimulation. The system and/or method comprises a probe and a device to provide stimulation. The probe has a stimulation portion implanted in communication with a predetermined brain region site. The stimulation portion of the probe may be implanted in contact with a predetermined brain region.

Claims

1. A method of alleviating post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a patient comprising:

identifying PTSD in the patient;

positioning at least an electrical lead within the patient such that at least one electrode of the electrical lead is disposed within or in direct contact with a central nucleus of amygdala brain tissue of the patient;

selecting a plurality of operating parameters for an electrical stimulation system that are effective for treating PTSD;

programming the electrical stimulation system according to the plurality of operating parameters;

activating the electrical stimulation system to deliver electrical pulses to the electrode within or in direct contact with the central nucleus; and

determining whether the electrical pulses have caused alleviation in symptoms of PTSD.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating, by the IPG, a burst stimulus that comprises a plurality of groups of spike pulses, wherein the burst stimulus is substantially quiescent between the plurality of groups, wherein each spike within each group is separated by a maximum inter-spike interval and each group of spikes is separated by a minimum inter-group interval, wherein the maximum inter-spike interval is 5 milliseconds and the minimum inter-group interval is 20 milliseconds.

3. A method of treating an anxiety disorder in a patient comprising

identifying the anxiety disorder in the patient;

positioning at least an electrical lead within the patient such that at least one electrode of the electrical lead is disposed within or in direct contact with a central nucleus of amygdala brain tissue of the patient;

selecting a plurality of operating parameters for an electrical stimulation system that are effective for treating the anxiety disorder;

programming the electrical stimulation system according to the plurality of operating parameters;

activating the electrical stimulation system to deliver electrical pulses to the electrode within or in direct contact with the central nucleus; and

determining whether the electrical pulses have resulted in effective treatment of the anxiety disorder of the patient.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the anxiety disorder is selected from the group consisting of post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the anxiety disorder is the post-traumatic stress disorder.

6. The method of claim 3 further comprising generating, by the stimulation system, a burst stimulus that comprises a plurality of groups of spike pulses, wherein the burst stimulus is substantially quiescent between the plurality of groups, wherein each spike within each group is separated by a maximum inter-spike interval and each group of spikes is separated by a minimum inter-group interval, wherein the maximum inter-spike interval is 5 milliseconds and the minimum inter-group interval is 20 milliseconds.