Methods and apparatus for effectuating a lasting change in a neural-function of a patient

Abstract

The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for intracranial electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. The methods in accordance with the invention can be used to treat brain damage (e.g., stroke, trauma, etc.), brain disease (e.g., Alzheimer's, Pick's, Parkinson's, etc.), and/or brain disorders (e.g., epilepsy, depression, etc.). The methods in accordance with the invention can also be used to enhance neural-function of normal, healthy brains (e.g., learning, memory, etc.), or to control sensory functions (e.g., pain).

1 . A method of effectuating a neural-function of a brain of a patient associated with a first location in the brain, comprising:
 identifying a stimulation site in and/or on the brain where neural activity has changed in response to a change in the neural-function in the first location of the brain;   positioning a first electrode at the stimulation site;   positioning a second electrode at the stimulation site; and   applying an electrical potential between the first and second electrodes.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein identifying a stimulation site comprises imaging the cortex of the brain. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein identifying a stimulation site comprises:
 taking a first image of the brain that shows neural activity related to the neural-function using functional MRI; 
 taking a second image of the brain that shows neural activity related to the neural-function using functional MRI after taking the first image of the brain; and 
 comparing a change in the neural activity related to the neural-function. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying a peripheral input to the patient that is expected to generate neural activity in the brain related to performing the neural-function. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 applying a peripheral input to the patient that is expected to generate neural activity in the brain that performs the neural-function; and   identifying a stimulation site comprises taking a first image of the brain that shows neural activity before applying the peripheral input, taking a second image of the brain that shows neural activity while applying the peripheral input, and comparing a change in neural activity in the brain between the first and second images.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein neural activity for the neural-function is expected to occur at the first location in the brain according to a known functional organization of the brain, and wherein identifying the stimulation site comprises detecting neural activity for the neural-function at a second location in the brain different than the first location. 
     
     
         7 . The method of clam  6  wherein detecting the neural activity comprises taking functional MRI images of the brain and monitoring neural activity at the second location. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the neural-function controls learning a task and the neural activity related to the neural function is expected to occur at the first location of the brain according to a known functional organization of the brain, and wherein identifying the stimulation site comprises detecting a change in the neural activity at the first location of the brain while the patient learns the task. 
     
     
         9 . The method of clam  8  wherein detecting a change in the neural activity comprises taking functional MRI images of the brain while the patient learns the task. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the neural-function controls learning a task and the neural activity related to the neural function is expected to occur at the first location of the brain according to a known functional organization of the brain, and wherein identifying the stimulation site comprises detecting a change in the neural activity at a second location different than the first location of the brain while the patient learns the task. 
     
     
         11 . The method of clam  10  wherein detecting a change in the neural activity comprises taking functional MRI images of the brain while the patient learns the task. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first region of the brain is affected by a disease and neural activity related to the neural-function is expected to occur at the first location of the brain according to a known functional organization of the brain, and wherein identifying the stimulation site comprises detecting a change in neural activity adjacent to the first region. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first region of the brain is affected by a disease and neural activity related to the neural-function is expected to occur at the first location of the brain according to a known functional organization of the brain, and wherein identifying the stimulation site comprises detecting a change in neural activity related to the neural-function at a second location different than the first location. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first region of the brain is affected by brain damage and neural activity related to the neural-function is expected to occur at the first location of the brain according to a known functional organization of the brain, and wherein identifying the stimulation site comprises detecting a change in neural activity adjacent to the first region. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first region of the brain is affected by brain damage and neural activity related to the neural-function is expected to occur at the first location of the brain according to a known functional organization of the brain, and wherein identifying the stimulation site comprises detecting a change in neural activity related to the neural-function at a second location different than the first location.