Stimulation of the amygdalohippocampal complex to treat neurological conditions

• US 7,603,174 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2005
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• 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): Wu; Eugene T
• Application Number:
  US11/254,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20060100671A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,454 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/45, 607 55- 57, 607/116, 607/117, 607/139, 600/378
• US Class Current: 607/55
• 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 treating auditory dysfunction comprising the steps of:

implanting at least an electrical lead within a patient such that at least one electrode of the electrical lead is disposed within a brain tissue site selected from the group consisting of amygdala, hippocampus, parahippocampus, perirhinal cortex, entorhinal cortex, and a combination thereof;

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

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

activating the electrical stimulation system to deliver electrical pulses to the electrode wherein the electrical pulses treats the patient'"'"'s auditory dysfunction.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the selecting comprises:

temporarily delivering electrical pulses according to the plurality of operating parameters to the electrode within the brain tissue site; and

monitoring the auditory dysfunction while the temporarily delivering is performed.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the monitoring comprises:

determining an improvement in the auditory dysfunction.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said amygdala is further defined as amygdalohippocampal (AHC) region.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrical stimulation system delivers electrical pulses on a substantially continuous basis.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of operating parameters include a pulse amplitude parameter, a pulse width parameter, and a pulse frequency parameter.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the pulse frequency parameter is within the range of about 3 to about 80 Hz.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrical stimulation system delivers electrical pulses on a temporary basis in response to receiving an initiation signal from an external control device operated by the patient.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the auditory dysfunction is tinnitus, hyperacousis, phonophobia, misophonia, auditory agnosia, auditory spatial dysfunction or auditory hallucinations.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the lead comprises a plurality of electrodes and the plurality of operating parameters include an electrode configuration.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting stimulation parameters to optimize auditory dysfunction treatment.