Devices and methods of low frequency magnetic stimulation therapy

Abstract

Described herein, in certain embodiments, are devices and methods for modulating the electrical activity of a brain in a targeted manner using a weak magnetic field, generally field with a strength of less than about 100 Gauss. The magnetic field is varied over time in a periodic manner, generally with a frequency tuned to specifically affect one of the intrinsic frequencies of the brain, optionally the alpha frequency. The “Low Field Magnetic Stimulation” devices and methods described herein modulate the electrical activity of a brain without requiring medication. Methods and devices described herein gently “tune” the brain and affect mood, focus, and cognition of human subjects.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for use in treating a subject, comprising:
 a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device; wherein the MRI device is adapted to generate a magnetic field that influences (a) an intrinsic frequency of a brain of the subject within a specified Electroencephalography (EEG) band; (b) a Q-factor of an intrinsic frequency of a brain of the subject within a specified EEG band; (c) a coherence of intrinsic frequencies among multiple sites in a brain of the subject within a specified EEG band; (d) an EEG phase, or (e) a combination thereof, and   a controller configured to allow adjustment of a frequency of the magnetic field or to allow pulsing of the magnetic field.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field is generated by a coil configured to encircle the head of the subject, wherein the magnetic field is generated by a plurality of coils around the head of the subject, or wherein the magnetic field is generated by a coil that can be positioned over a region of interest on the head of the subject. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the MRI device does not detect any magnetic field. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to stimulate a brain of the subject to a level below the threshold for depolarization of the neurons in the brain of the subject. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field is substantially uniform, wherein the magnetic field strength varies substantially linearly, wherein the magnetic field has no gradient greater than about 5 Gauss/cm, and/or wherein the magnetic field is unidirectional. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the MRI device is adapted to apply the magnetic field to a diffuse area of the brain of the subject. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field varies according to a waveform, wherein the waveform is a mono-phasic rectangular pulse, a bi-phasic rectangular pulse, a mono-phasic trapezoidal pulse, a bi-phasic trapezoidal pulse, a mono-phasic sinusoidal pulse, a bi-phasic sinusoidal pulse, a mono-phasic pulse train series, a bi-phasic pulse train series, or a sinusoid. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the waveform has a period of less than about 10 msec, wherein the waveform has a frequency between about 8 Hz and about 13 Hz, wherein the strength of the magnetic field is less than about 100 Gauss, and/or wherein the strength of the magnetic field is less than about 500 milli-gauss. 
     
     
         9 . A method for treating a subject comprising pulsing an MRI with a wave train having a frequency that influences (a) an intrinsic frequency of a brain of the subject within a specified Electroencephalography (EEG) band; (b) a Q-factor of an intrinsic frequency of a brain of the subject within a specified EEG band; (c) a coherence of intrinsic frequencies among multiple sites in a brain of the subject within a specified EEG band; (d) an EEG phase, or (e) a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method
 provides a treatment comprising improving cognitive function, improving executive function, improving academic performance, improving sports performance, improving neuropathic pain in the subject, improving a neurological disorder in the subject, improving a symptom of brain damage, and improving brain dysfunction in the subject, or   improves at least one of an indication in the subject; a disorder in the subject; a symptom in the subject; a dysfunction in the subject; a characteristic in the subject; and any combination thereof.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the indication is selected from the group consisting of replacement for meditation, quick nap, stress release, attention span, comprehension, memory, lowered blood pressure, increased libido, sports performance, academic performance, and any combination thereof;   wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of depression, bipolar, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, seizure, Parkinson's disease, ADHD, autism, substance abuse, head injury, Alzheimer's disease, eating disorder, sleep disorder, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, and any combination thereof; and/or   wherein the characteristic is selected from the group consisting of peripheral visual response, attention span, immediate reaction time (IRT), movement time (MT), simple perceptual reaction time (SPR), conflict perceptual reaction time (CPR), and any combination thereof; and/or   wherein the neuropathic pain comprises at least one of: occipital neuralgia, neuritis, trigeminal neuralgia, peripheral neuralgia, sciatic neuralgia, intercostal neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, and glossopharyngeal neuralgia;   wherein the neurological disorder comprises at least one of a brain neurological disorder, a spinal cord disorder, a peripheral nervous system disorder, a cranial nerve disorder, an autonomic nervous system disorder, a seizure disorder, epilepsy, a movement disorder, a sleep disorder, a headache, lower back pain, neck pain, other generalized neuropathic pain, delirium, dementia, dizziness, vertigo, stupor, coma, a head injury, a stroke, multiple sclerosis, a demylenating disease, an infection of the brain or spinal cord, a prion disease, and a complex regional pain syndrome;   wherein the brain damage comprises at least one of: cerebral lobe damage including lower brain areas such as the basal ganglia, the cerebellum, and the brainstem; frontal lobe damage, parietal lobe damage, temporal lobe damage, and occipital lobe damage; and/or   wherein the brain dysfunction comprises at least one of: aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia, agnosia, and amnesia.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a magnetic field generated by the wave train is below the threshold for depolarization of the neurons in the brain of the subject. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic field is substantially uniform, wherein the magnetic field strength varies substantially linearly, wherein the magnetic field has no gradient greater than about 5 Gauss/cm, wherein the magnetic field is unidirectional. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic field is applied to a diffuse area of the brain of the subject. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic field varies according to a waveform that is a mono-phasic rectangular pulse, a bi-phasic rectangular pulse, a mono-phasic trapezoidal pulse, a bi-phasic trapezoidal pulse, a mono-phasic sinusoidal pulse, a bi-phasic sinusoidal pulse, a mono-phasic pulse train series, a bi-phasic pulse train series, or a sinusoid. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the waveform has a period of less than about 10 msec, wherein the waveform has a frequency between about 8 Hz and about 13 Hz, wherein the strength of the magnetic field is less than about 100 Gauss, and/or wherein the strength of the magnetic field is less than about 500 milli-gauss.