Systems and methods for enhancing or optimizing neural stimulation therapy for treating symptoms of parkinson's disease and/or other movement disorders

Abstract

Systems and methods for treating a neurological disorder comprising determining a first set of neural stimulation parameters capable of treating a first subset of symptoms, determining a second set of neural stimulation parameters capable of treating a second subset of symptoms, and applying a neural stimulation therapy based upon the first set of neural stimulation parameters and the second set of neural stimulation parameters to the patient. The first set of neural stimulation parameters can include electrical stimulation at a first frequency, and the second set of neural stimulation parameters can include electrical stimulation at a second frequency. In other embodiments, a treatment method comprises applying a first neural stimulation therapy to the patient in a continuous or generally continuous manner during a first time interval, and applying a second neural stimulation therapy to the patient in a noncontinuous or interrupted manner following the first time interval.

1 . A method of providing neural stimulation to treat more than one symptom of a neurological disorder comprising:
 generating, by an implantable pulse generator, a burst stimulus that comprises a pulse sequence having periodic pulse trains in which the pulse train has an interval of about 3 seconds separated by a quiescent interval of about 1.5 seconds;   providing the burst stimulus from the implantable pulse generator to medical lead;   applying a first burst stimulus to a first nerve tissue of the patient via one or several electrodes of the medical lead such that the first burst stimulus treats a first subset of symptoms; and   applying a second burst stimulus to a first nerve tissue of the patient via one or several electrodes of the medical lead such that the second burst stimulus treats a second subset of symptoms.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first and second nerve tissue are the same. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first and second nerve tissue are different. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first subset of symptoms include a cognitive deficit, and wherein the second subset of symptoms includes an emotional disturbance. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first subset of symptoms includes a cognitive deficit, and wherein the second subset of symptoms includes a psychiatric disturbance. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second subset of symptoms includes pain. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second subset of symptoms includes a movement dysfunction. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second subset of symptoms includes a speech deficit.