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

[0009] The system includes implantable elements and control circuitry for detecting electrical and chemical activity in the brain associated with a particular cognitive function and correlating the activity with a desired measure of a cognitive function. For example, electrical activity during a memory recall may be correlated with the nature of the memory recall (i.e., positive or negative recall). The nature of the memory recall, however, may also be measured with one or more neurophysiological markers (e.g., gamma rhythms). The electrical and / or chemical activity corresponding to a desired value of the neurological marker may be applied to a desired region of the brain to improve the cognitive function. As an example, hippocampal theta rhythm is necessary for memory formation, particularly for information processing. The theta rhythm includes extracellular currents that lie within a characteristic frequency range of about 4-8 Hz. The systems and methods provide for modulating the theta rhythm of the hippocampus by applying suitable electrical and chemical signals. These signals are controlled by continuously measuring other naturally occurring characteristics that the theta rhythms are associated with such as gamma oscillations in the hippocampus and neocortex. As another example, gamma (synchronicity) rhythm of the neocortex also plays a role in memory formation and other cognitive functions. The systems and methods also provide for recording and / or modulating the gamma rhythm of the neocortex by applying suitable electrical and chemical signals. Generally, the systems and methods provide for recording and / or modulating activity from one or more regions of the brain to improve one or more cognitive functions.

[0029] In one aspect, a method of improving a cognitive function in a patient comprises receiving a first signal from a first region of a neural signaling pathway of a patient's brain, determining a pacing signal that when applied to a second region of the brain induces the neurons in the second region of the brain to generate a second signal substantially similar to the first signal, and applying the pacing signal to the second region of the brain, thereby establishing a neural signaling pathway between the first and second regions and improving a cognitive function.

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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