Description:
Executive Summary
The invention is a novel brain stimulation technique that uses a dynamic stimulation algorithm for controlling neuronal behavior within the brain, decreasing power consumption and improving efficacy of neuromodulation procedures.
Background
Neuromodulation is a rapidly growing medical therapy which is being tested to treat diseases such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s Disease, tremors associated with Parkinson’s Disease, and potentially many other neurological conditions. The procedure typically involves the surgical implantation of an electrode to apply electrical signals to stimulate a target region of a patient’s brain to counteract abnormal neurological behavior. Current methods fail to account for the complex relationship between individual neuron behavior, overall collective behavior, and degree of synchronization leading to conditions such as seizures. As a result, such methods have limited efficacy and undetermined mechanism of action.
Invention Description
The invention is a novel adaptive brain stimulation technique capable of providing a more effective means of regulating neuronal behavior compared to current neuromodulation techniques. Adaptive stimulations are produced using on-line measurements of neural behavior which are processed in real time to determine the appropriate stimulation. The construction of the feedback signal utilizes the fundamental dynamics which govern oscillatory populations, allowing the system to be gently steered to the desired state rather than forcibly driven in an unnatural way. As a result, the oscillatory behavior of individual neurons is preserved while the overall emergent behavior (e.g. a large amplitude EEG signal) of the population is controlled.
Advantages
- Demand-driven rather than fixed pulse train stimulation, thereby significantly improving battery lifetime of neuromodulation devices
- Real-time adaptive feedback stimulation enhancing the ability of a neuromodulation device to adapt to the changing behavior of a patient’s brain during treatment
- Mechanism of brain stimulation action is known, allowing enhanced control of brain activity and increasing stimulation effectiveness
Potential Applications
The invention promises to enhance treatment methods for a range of conditions linked to neurological activity, including but not limited to epilepsy, obesity, tremors associated with Parkinson’s Disease, and Alzheimer’s Disease.
