Neural stimulation via visual stimulation

Abstract

Systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for treating cognitive dysfunction in a subject in need thereof. The system can include eyeglasses, a photodiode positioned to detect ambient light, light sources, and an input device. The system can include a neural stimulation system that retrieves a profile and selects a light pattern having a fixed parameter and a variable parameter. The neural stimulation system can set a value of the variable parameter of the light pattern, construct an output signal, and then provide the output signal to the light sources to direct light towards the fovea.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method of benefiting a cognitive state or function of a brain comprising administering a sensory stimulus via a portable system, said portable system comprising:
 (a) an input device comprising a hand-held controller with an independent power supply comprising batteries, wherein said hand-held controller receives and transmits a signal dictating a dosing parameter corresponding to a duration, a brightness, or a color of a visual stimulus, said visual stimulus comprising a square-wave visual signal with a 50% duty cycle; and   (b) a display device coupled to said input device, wherein said display device receives said signal dictating said dosing parameter and emits said visual stimulus according to said dosing parameter, said display device comprising one or more of a light emitting diode lamp for placement within the peripheral visual field of a subject, wherein said light emitting diode lamp comprises:
 (i) a light emitting diode driver coupled to a light emitting diode light source; 
 (ii) a plastic frame, said plastic frame supporting a position of said light emitting diode light source; and 
 (iii) a power interface located on said light emitting diode lamp, said power interface receiving a power supply from a wall outlet; 
 wherein said display device receives a signal transmitted from said hand-held controller and adjusts said visual stimulus accordingly, thereby inducing synchronized gamma oscillations and slowing progression of cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease. 
   
     
     
         26 . A method of benefiting a cognitive state or function of a brain, said method comprising placing a touch-sensitive lamp within the peripheral visual field of a subject, said touch-sensitive lamp comprising:
 (a) a light emitting diode driver coupled to a light emitting diode light source;   (b) an aluminum alloy frame, said aluminum alloy frame housing the light emitting diode light source; and   (c) a power interface, said power interface allowing said light emitting diode lamp to receive a power supply from a wall outlet;
 wherein said display device emits a visual stimulus comprising a square-wave visual signal with a 50% duty cycle and a frequency of approximately 40 Hertz, and wherein use of said system induces synchronized gamma oscillations and slows progression of cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease. 
   
     
     
         27 . A method of benefiting a cognitive state or function of a brain comprising placing a portable system within a visual field of a subject, wherein aid portable system comprises a plurality of light emitting diode light sources contained within a circuit, said plurality of light emitting diode light sources each comprising a light emitting diode driver coupled to a light emitting diode light source; and wherein said circuit further comprises a power interface providing a power supply from a wall outlet to said plurality of light emitting diodes light sources; said power supply causing said plurality of light emitting diode light sources to emit a visual stimulus comprising a square-wave visual signal with a 50% duty cycle and a frequency of approximately 40 Hertz, thereby inducing synchronized gamma oscillations in a brain region of said subject and slowing progression of cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease. 
     
     
         28 . A method for inducing gamma brainwave activity and promoting entrainment, said method for inducing gamma brainwave activity and promoting entrainment comprising administering stimulus via a portable system comprising:
 (a) a set of ear-fitting headphones comprising earphone;   (b) an audio source, wherein said audio source connects to said ear-fitting headphones to produce an audio stimuli with a frequency of approximately 40 Hertz and a square-wave duty cycle of less than 50%, and wherein said audio source further comprises a power interface for providing said audio source with power from one or more of a USB source or an independent power supply comprising one or more batteries; and   (c) one or more of a strap that holds or supports said audio source during use of said system, wherein said system is portable, and wherein use of said system can generate gamma brainwave activity, promote entrainment, and help slow cognitive decline.   
     
     
         29 . A method for treating Alzheimer's disease comprising administering visual stimulation via a system, said system comprising:
 (a) a first light emitting diode light source that produces light waves of a blue or a green wavelength in the visible spectrum, wherein said first light emitting diode light source emits a visual stimuli with a frequency of approximately 40 Hertz and a square wave visual signal with a 50% duty cycle;   (b) a second light emitting diode light source comprising a filtering component, wherein said filtering component causes said second light source to produce light waves lacking light waves of a blue or green wavelength relative to said first light emitting diode light source, thereby reducing an amount of visual stimuli from being perceived by a subject; and   (c) a feedback sensor, said feedback sensor capable of performing eye tracking of said subject;
 wherein use of said system promotes synchronized gamma oscillations and causes an improvement in one or more cognitive functions of said subject's brain, thereby slowing progression of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease in said 
   
     
     
         30 . A method of stimulating a frontal cortex of a subject's brain, said method comprising administering a sensory stimulus via a portable system comprising a battery-powered circuit, said battery-powered circuit comprising:
 (a) a pair of opaque glasses configured to project light pulses towards said subject's eyes, said light pulses having a frequency of 40 Hertz and producing a square-wave duty cycle of about 50%, wherein said pair of opaque glasses comprises: a light emitting diode and a light emitting diode driver, said light emitting diode projecting said light pulses towards a screen which flickers at 40 Hertz and reflects said light pulses to redirect said light pulses towards said subject's eyes; and   (b) an audio source comprising a set of supra-aural headphones, wherein said set of supra-aural headphones produces audio stimuli with a frequency of approximately 40 Hertz and a duty cycle of 50%;
 wherein use of said system promotes synchronized gamma oscillations in said frontal cortex and causes an improvement in one or more cognitive functions of said subject's brain, thereby slowing progression of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease in said subject. 
   
     
     
         31 . A method of improving cognitive health, said method comprising employing an application software program for generating a neural stimulation system for use in combination with cognitive therapy, said neural stimulation system comprising a smartphone or tablet as a source of one or more of a 40 Hertz audio and/or visual signal with a square-wave duty cycle of about 50%; wherein said neural stimulation system comprises a subject assessment module which responds to an indication or instruction of a subject communicated using a touch interface of said smartphone or tablet, and wherein said subject assessment module which incorporates elements of game playing in order to stimulate gamma brainwaves and slow progression of cognitive dysfunction associated with increased beta amyloid levels. 
     
     
         32 . An application software program for generating a neural stimulation system using a smartphone, headphones, and a virtual-reality headset in combination as a source of a sensory stimuli, said neural stimulation providing one or more of a 40 Hertz audio and/or visual signal with a square-wave duty cycle of about 50% in order to stimulate gamma brainwaves and slow progression of cognitive dysfunction associated with increased beta amyloid levels; wherein said neural stimulation system provides said sensory stimuli for a maximum of 60 minutes in response to an indication or instruction of a subject communicated using a touch interface of said smartphone or tablet.