초록 ▼

Methods of modulating brain neural plasticity, improving memory and learning, improving recovery from traumatic brain injury, preventing epilepsy, treating memory disorders and chronic memory impairment, and treating persistent impairment of consciousness in humans and animals by vagus nerve stimula

Methods of modulating brain neural plasticity, improving memory and learning, improving recovery from traumatic brain injury, preventing epilepsy, treating memory disorders and chronic memory impairment, and treating persistent impairment of consciousness in humans and animals by vagus nerve stimulation are provided. These methods comprise selecting an appropriate human or animal subject and applying to the subject's vagus nerve an electrical stimulation signal having parameter values effective in modulating the electrical activity of the vagus nerve in a manner so as to modulate the activity of preselected portions of the brain.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of treating a human or animal subject suffering from a symptom caused by traumatic brain injury or characteristic of traumatic brain injury, comprising:(a) applying to the vagus nerve of a human or animal subject suffering from a symptom caused by traumatic brain

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of treating a human or animal subject suffering from a symptom caused by traumatic brain injury or characteristic of traumatic brain injury, comprising:(a) applying to the vagus nerve of a human or animal subject suffering from a symptom caused by traumatic brain injury or characteristic of traumatic brain injury a stimulating electrical signal having parameters sufficient to alleviate said symptom;(b) monitoring said human or animal subject by clinical outcome, a clinical test, a laboratory test, or combinations thereof to determine if said symptom has been alleviated, or if farther stimulation of said vagus nerve is required,wherein said laboratory test is selected from the group consisting of a brain scan, a PET scan, a SPECT scan, monitoring the level of a neurotransmitter in the brain, and monitoring the level of a neurotransmitter in spinal fluid; and(c) if required, further stimulating said vagus nerve and monitoring said human or animal subject as in preceding steps (a) and (b), respectively, until said symptom has been alleviated.