APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MODULATING NEUROCHEMICAL LEVELS IN THE BRAIN
First Claim
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1. A method for modulating the levels of a neurochemical in the brain of an individual comprising:
- (a) determining an amount of a neurochemical in a first brain region;
(b) determining whether said amount of said neurochemical is different from a predetermined amount; and
(c) if said amount of said neurochemical is different from said predetermined amount, applying electrical stimulation to a second brain region of said individual.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method for modulating or regulating levels of a neurochemical in an individual using deep brain stimulation. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of treating neurological and psychiatric diseases by providing a feedback loop capable of maintaining central and/or peripheral nervous system neurochemical levels in an individual.
16 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for modulating the levels of a neurochemical in the brain of an individual comprising:
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(a) determining an amount of a neurochemical in a first brain region; (b) determining whether said amount of said neurochemical is different from a predetermined amount; and (c) if said amount of said neurochemical is different from said predetermined amount, applying electrical stimulation to a second brain region of said individual. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for modulating levels of a neurochemical in the brain of an individual comprising:
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(a) providing a stimulation system comprising a neurochemical sensor, a control module, and a stimulation module under the control of said control module; (b) placing said neurochemical sensor in a first brain region of said individual; (c) placing an electrode operably connected to said stimulation module in a second brain region of an individual comprising neural tissue; (d) determining the amount of said neurochemical in said first brain region using said sensor, and sending a signal indicative thereof to said control module; (e) said control module performing the step of determining if the amount of said neurochemical is different from a predetermined amount, wherein if the amount of said neurochemical is different from said predetermined amount, sending a signal to said stimulation module; (f) said stimulation module sending electrical stimulation to said electrode in said second brain region, whereby the levels of said neurochemical are modulated or regulated. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14)
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10. The method of claim 10, wherein said neurochemical is dopamine.
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13. The method of claim 13, wherein said electrochemical sensor is a carbon-based electrode.
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15. A method for treating Parkinson'"'"'s disease comprising:
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(a) providing a stimulation system comprising a sensor, a control module, and a stimulation module under the control of said control module; (b) placing an electrode operably connected to said stimulation module in the subthalamic nucleus or medial forebrain bundle of an individual having Parkinson'"'"'s disease; (c) placing said sensor in the caudate-putamen of said individual; (d) determining an amount of dopamine in the caudate-putamen of said individual using said sensor and sending a signal indicative thereof to said control module; (e) said control module performing the step of determining if said amount of dopamine is different from a predetermined amount, wherein if said amount of dopamine is different from said predetermined amount, sending a signal to said stimulation module; and (f) said stimulation module sending electrical stimulation to said electrode, whereby Parkinson'"'"'s disease is treated. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for positioning a stimulation electrode in the brain of an individual comprising:
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(a) providing a stimulation system comprising a sensor, a control module, and a stimulation module under the control of said control module; (b) placing said sensor in a first brain region of said individual; (c) placing a stimulation electrode operably connected to said stimulation module in a second brain region of an individual comprising neural tissue; (d) applying an electrical stimulation signal to said stimulation electrode; (e) determining the amount of a neurochemical in said first brain region using said sensor, and sending a signal indicative thereof to said control module; (f) said control module performing the step of determining if the amount of said neurochemical reaches a predetermined amount; wherein if the amount of said neurochemical does not reach said predetermined amount, the placement of said stimulation electrode is changed and steps (d)-(f) are repeated until a placement of the stimulation electrode is achieved in which said electrical stimulation results in an amount of said neurochemical which reaches said predetermined amount. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A deep brain stimulator comprising:
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a sensor; a control module operably connected to said sensor, wherein said control module is adapted to measure an electrochemical signal detected by said sensor; a stimulation module operably connected to said control module; and a stimulating electrode operably connected to said stimulation module;
wherein said control module is adapted to determine the amount of a neurochemical in a brain region of an individual, wherein if the amount of said neurochemical differs from a predetermined amount, said control module being further adapted to send a signal to said stimulator to generate electrical stimulation. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification