Systems and methods for improving a cognitive function

Abstract

In many aspects, the invention relates to systems and methods for providing cognitive therapy through stimulation of activating and inhibiting neurons in the brain, thereby modulating neural firing rhythms. The stimulation of neurons is controlled through a feedback process whereby neuron firing rhythms are altered based on naturally occurring electrical and chemical activity in the brain. Neurons in specific regions of the brain may be targeted in order to establish neural signaling pathways and establish communication between these regions.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 806,053, filed Jun. 28, 2006, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 910,297 filed Apr. 5, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 910,391, filed Apr. 5, 2007, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to techniques for providing therapy to improve cognitive function such as learning and memory. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Cognitive functions depend on different regions in the brain to process and communicate information with each other. The information is typically in the form of electrical and chemical signals that are communicated along neural signaling pathways between these regions. The neural signaling pathways are composed of electrically active brain cells called neurons. Many neurological disorders cause the degeneration of neurons in the br...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about improving cognitive function in the brain, especially in cases of degeneration of neurons. The invention provides systems and methods for controlling the neural firing rhythms in a region of the brain associated with a particular cognitive function. The systems and methods use implantable elements and control circuitry to detect electrical and chemical activity in that region and correlate it with the function. The invention can be used to improve memory recall, for example, by inducing a desired response in a different region of the brain. The method can also be used to improve other cognitive functions, such as information processing or consolidation, by inducing the appropriate response in the brain. The invention can be used in patients with high or low alertness levels and can be tailored to the patient's needs."

Problems solved by technology

Many neurological disorders cause the degeneration of neurons in the brain and can therefore impair one or more cognitive functions.

In some neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, neurons in the hippocampus and neocortex degenerate, thereby disrupting communication along the neural signaling pathways.

There are currently no effective treatments for curing neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's.

However, these techniques simply provide jolts of electrical current to the brain that may even cause instability in those regions.

They also suffer from a number of drawbacks including undesirable side effects, a short lifetime, unpredictability, and a lack of reproducibility.

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