Inducing neurogenesis within a human brain

• US 8,612,006 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2005
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Functional Neuromodulation, Inc. (Functional Neuromodulation, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Functional Neuromodulation, Ltd.
• Inventors: Lozano, Andres M., Toda, Hiroki
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): GHAND, JENNIFER LEIGH-STEWAR
• Application Number:
  US11/303,292
• Publication Number:
  US 20070067001A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,923 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/3, 607/45, 607/115, 607/116, 607/120, 607/139
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0693 Brain, cerebrum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36096 Mood disorders, e.g. depression, anxiety or panic disorder
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/28 for treating neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, e.g. nootropic agents, cognition enhancers, drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for inducing neurogenesis within a human. An implantable signal generator is used to deliver high frequency stimulation to deep brain tissue elements. The implanted device delivers treatment therapy to the brain to thereby induce neurogenesis by the human. A sensor may be used to detect various symptoms of nervous system discovery. A microprocessor algorithm may then analyze the output from the sensor to regulate the stimulation and/or drug therapy delivered to the brain.

Claims

1. A method for inducing neurogenesis in a brain of a human to treat Alzheimer'"'"'s Disease or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by means of an implantable signal generator and a lead having a proximal end coupled to the signal generator and a distal portion having at least one electrode, the method comprising:

A) selecting a patient suffering from Alzheimer'"'"'s Disease or mild cognitive impairment (MCI);

implanting the at least one electrode in an anterior thalamic nuclei complex of the Papez circuit of the patient;

C) coupling the proximal end of the implanted electrode to the sign generator; and

D) operating the signal generator to deliver high frequency stimulation of about 50 to about 200 Hz to the anterior thalamic nuclei complex to cause a production of new or replacement neurons in a second portion of the Papez circuit, including at least a hippocampus.

2. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein D) comprises selecting amplitude, width and frequency of stimulation by the electrode.

3. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein D) comprises operating the signal generator to pulse at a pulse amplitude between 0.1 Volts to 10.0 Volts.

4. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein D) comprises operating the signal generator to pulse at a pulse width between 30 microseconds and 450 microseconds.

5. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein D) comprises operating the signal generator in a monopolar configuration.

6. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein D) comprises operating the signal generator in a bipolar configuration.

7. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein D) comprises operating, the signal generator in a multipolar configuration.

8. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein D) comprises operating the signal generator in a continuous mode.

9. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein D) comprises operating the signal generator in a cyclical mode.

10. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising E) selecting between an open loop and a closed loop mode of operation.

11. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

E) sensing a characteristic indicative of an extent of neurogenesis and generating a sensor signal; and

F) regulating the operation of the signal generator in response to the sensor signal.

12. A method, as claimed in claim 11, wherein E) comprises detecting a neurochemical characteristic of the neurogenesis.

13. A method, as claimed in claim 11, wherein E) comprises detecting an electro-physiological characteristic of the neurogenesis.

14. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein F) comprises executing, a control algorithm.

15. A method, as claimed in claim 11, wherein F) comprises adjusting at least one parameter of the stimulation, the parameter being selected from the group consisting of amplitude, pulse width and frequency.

16. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

E) implanting at least one secondary electrode in communication with a deep brain tissue element;

F) coupling the secondary electrode to the signal generator; and

G) operating the signal generator to stimulate the deep brain tissue element.

17. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

E) implanting at least one catheter so that a discharge portion lies in communication with a deep brain tissue element;

F) coupling the catheter to a pump; and

G) operating the pump to deliver drug, to the deep brain tissue element.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the Papez circuit comprises a dentate gyros which includes the hippocampus.