METHODS OF IMPROVING NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH NEUROCOGNITIVE DISORDERS

• US 20080288018A1
• Filed: 04/21/2008
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Original Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Inventors: Rezai, Ali, Kubu, Cynthia S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,538,536 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/168 Evaluating attention deficit, hyperactivity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4094 Diagnosing or monitoring seizure diseases, e.g. epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14 Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

The present invention provides methods of improving neuropsychological function in a patient having a neurocognitive disorder by chemical or electrically modulating a target site(s) in the ventral striatum/ventral capsule region. Methods also include modulating the treatment based on a closed-loop feedback system that measures bodily activities associated with the neuropsychological function (i.e. that help to determine whether a neuropsychological function is or can be improved.

Claims

1. A method of improving neuropsychological function in a patient having a neurocognitive disorder, the method comprising:

placing a delivery device on a target site in the ventral capsule/ventral striatum region; and

activating the delivery device to apply an activation signal to the target site to improve the neuropsychological function in the patient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivery device is an electrode and the activation signal is an electrical signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivery device is a catheter or drug port and the activation signal is a chemical signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the neurocognitive disorder is an acquired brain injury disorder.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the neurocognitive disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the neurocognitive disorder is a neurodegenerative disorder.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the target site is the ventral striatum.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the target site is the ventral capsule.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the target site is the intersection of the ventral capsule and ventral striatum.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the target site is the amygdala.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the target site is the extended amygdala.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the target site is the basal forebrain.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the targets site is the basal ganglia.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the neuropsychological function is memory.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the memory is verbal and/or visual memory.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the neuropsychological function is visuo-spatial skills.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the neuropsychological function is attention, working memory, learning, thinking speed, problem solving/executive cognitive function, language, visuo-constructional skills, visuo-spatial skills, motivation, drive, affect regulation, or interpretation of emotion stimuli.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

positioning the delivery device on the target site of the ventral striatum/ventral capsule region;

activating the delivery device to apply the activation signal to the target site of the ventral capsule/ventral striatum region;

detecting the bodily activity associated with the neuropsychological function to determine if the neuropsychological function is being affected and producing the sensor signal based on the determination; and

modulating the activation signal based on the sensor signal to improve the neuropsychological function.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein detecting a bodily activity comprises conducting a neurophysiological test on the patient selected from the group consisting of:

performing a functional MRI, performing connectivity studies, performing diffusion tensor imaging, performing magnetoencephalograpy, measuring evoked potentials, and performing a PET scan.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

detecting the bodily activity associated with the neuropsychological function and producing the sensor signal based on the determination; and

positioning the delivery device on the target site of the ventral striatum/ventral capsule region based on the sensor signal; and

activating the delivery device to apply the activation signal to the target site of the ventral capsule/ventral striatum region to improve the neuropsychological function.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising

positioning the delivery device on the target site of the ventral striatum/ventral capsule region;

detecting the bodily activity associated with the neuropsychological function and producing the sensor signal based on the determination; and

activating the delivery device to apply the activation signal to the target site of the ventral capsule/ventral striatum region based on the sensor signal.

18. A method of improving a neuropsychological function in a patient having a neurocognitive disorder, the method comprising:

providing a delivery device; and

activating the delivery device to apply an activation signal to a target site of a ventral capsule/ventral striatum region in response to a sensor signal which detects a bodily activity associated with the neuropsychological function to improve the neuropsychological function in the patient.