QRFP Neuron Stimulation for Hypometabolic State Induction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inducing a hypometabolic state in diseased subjects, such as hibernation-like states, are not effectively clarified, particularly in non-hibernating animals, including humans, due to unclear neural mechanisms, and existing hypothermic therapies have limited effectiveness in adults and are not universally applicable.
Innovation Solution
Applying an excitatory stimulus to pyroglutamylated RFamide peptide (QRFP)-producing neurons in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus, medial preoptic area, and periventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus to induce a hibernation-like state, monitored through oxygen consumption and body temperature measurements, using an apparatus that calculates oxygen consumption and determines the presence of a hypometabolic or hibernation-like state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If hypothermic therapy is applied to adult subjects, then body temperature is reduced, but the therapeutic effectiveness is limited and does not improve prognosis compared with targeted temperature management
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the approach from passive hypothermic therapy to active hypometabolic state induction by stimulating QRFP-producing neurons, thereby altering the physiological parameters of metabolism and energy consumption rather than simply reducing temperature. This resolves the contradiction by achieving therapeutic effects through metabolic modulation while maintaining reliable temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces QRFP-producing neurons as an intermediary mechanism to mediate between the therapeutic goal and the physiological response. By stimulating these specific neurons, the therapy achieves hypometabolic state induction more effectively than direct hypothermic approaches, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining temperature management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the neural mechanisms for inducing hibernation-like state are not clarified, then a hypometabolic state cannot be effectively induced in non-hibernating animals, but researching these mechanisms increases device and method complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and targets the specific QRFP-producing neurons that control hibernation-like states, isolating this key neural pathway from the complex brain network. This allows effective induction of hypometabolic states in non-hibernating animals by focusing on a specific, identifiable neuron population rather than attempting to control the entire neural system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention discovers that QRFP-producing neurons serve a universal function across different animal species, including non-hibernating mammals. By targeting this conserved neural pathway, the method achieves hypometabolic state induction universally across species without requiring species-specific complex mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If oxygen consumption is not monitored, then a hypometabolic state cannot be distinguished from death, but implementing monitoring increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements oxygen consumption monitoring as a feedback mechanism to continuously assess the metabolic state of the subject. By measuring oxygen consumption levels and comparing them against established thresholds, the system can reliably distinguish between hypometabolic state and death, providing real-time feedback for therapeutic adjustment without requiring complex diagnostic procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively delays disease progression and improves survival rates by inducing a controlled hypometabolic state, allowing for differentiation between a hibernation-like state and death based on oxygen consumption, providing a potential therapeutic approach for serious diseases.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement unit that measures an oxygen concentration of each exhaled air and inhaled air from the subject
Implementation Method 2
a computation unit that calculates an oxygen consumption of the subject from an oxygen concentration difference between the exhaled air and the inhaled air from the subject
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for inducing a hibernation-like state and an apparatus therefor. According to the present invention, provided is a method for decreasing a theoretical setpoint temperature of body temperature and a feedback gain of heat generation in a subject or a method for inducing a hibernation-like state in a subject, the method being a chemical and/or physical method including providing an excitatory stimulus to a pyroglutamylated RFamide peptide (QRFP)-producing neuron. According to the present invention, an apparatus used to practice this method is also provided.