rTMS at harmonics of biological signals

Inventors

Jin, Yi

Assignees

Wave Neuroscience Inc

Abstract

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is administered at a pulse rate that is equal to or a harmonic of a biological metric of a patient. The purpose is to provide frequency coupling among different organs (e.g., heart, brain, breathing, and gastrointestinal movement) through rhythmic entrainment. The specific harmonic chosen is the one closest to a desired EEG frequency. The desired EEG frequency is chosen based on the cognitive element or symptom that is targeted.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to a method of improving a physiological condition or a neuropsychiatric condition by subjecting a mammal, wherein the mammal is a human, to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). The rTMS is administered at a frequency that is a non-EEG biological metric, or an harmonic or sub-harmonic of the non-EEG biological metric. The method is directed to improving conditions by coupling the rTMS frequency to biological rhythms captured by a non-EEG metric.

The frequency selection is tied to an EEG intrinsic frequency and to EEG frequency bands including delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma, and Mu. In preferred embodiments, the rTMS frequency is selected to be closest to an EEG intrinsic frequency within a desired EEG band, and coherence is used to select the rTMS frequency. Coherence measurements and coherence coefficients are described to identify the non-EEG biological metric harmonic or sub-harmonic having highest coherence with the intrinsic EEG frequency.

The document further provides example embodiments directed to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), chronic pain, and Alzheimer’s disease, including use of an alpha frequency range of 8–13 Hz. Illustrative examples describe selecting an rTMS frequency using harmonics of a patient metric such as heart rate, and describe EEG changes and symptom improvements. The disclosed approach is framed as rhythmically entraining organ coupling and modulating brain activity using rTMS synchronized to biological metrics and their harmonics.

Claims Coverage

Independent claims cover four methods with a common frequency-selection framework: administering rTMS to a human at a frequency equal to a non-EEG biological metric or an harmonic/sub-harmonic of that metric, with condition-specific claim scope for physiological/neuropsychiatric improvement and symptoms for ASD, Alzheimer’s disease, and chronic pain. Across these independent claims, the inventive features are the non-EEG biological-metric-based frequency selection using harmonic/sub-harmonic relationships, and coherence/EEG-band-based selection of the frequency relative to an intrinsic EEG frequency.

The independent claims collectively cover improving physiological/neuropsychiatric conditions in humans by administering rTMS at a frequency derived from a non-EEG biological metric and its harmonic/sub-harmonic. Dependent claim limitations further specify coherence-based selection of the frequency using an intrinsic EEG frequency within a desired EEG band, including in ASD, Alzheimer’s disease, and chronic pain.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications