Methods and systems of improving and monitoring addiction using cue reactivity
Inventors
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Assignees
MemberWest Virginia UniversityWest Virginia UniversityWest Virginia University is a public R1 research institution offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs across science, engineering, business, creative arts, and media. The university emphasizes experiential learning, research, and innovation, with notable strengths in academic program development, research excellence, community engagement, and a commitment to affordability, career readiness, and student success. WVU supports a vibrant campus environment, industry partnerships, and impactful scholarship, preparing students for careers through hands-on education, research, and applied learning.
West Virginia University is a public R1 research institution offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs across science, engineering, business, creative arts, and media. The university emphasizes experiential learning, research, and innovation, with notable strengths in academic program development, research excellence, community engagement, and a commitment to affordability, career readiness, and student success. WVU supports a vibrant campus environment, industry partnerships, and impactful scholarship, preparing students for careers through hands-on education, research, and applied learning.
Publication Number
US-11850427-B2
Publication Date
2023-12-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods of improving addiction in a patient in need thereof are provided. Methods include exposing the patient to drug related cues and measuring the patient's craving levels or physiological levels during or after cue exposure to determine the patient's status or condition. Such a determination can indicate whether the patient is at risk of engaging in the addictive activity and can guide therapeutic intervention.
Core Innovation
Methods and systems improve and monitor addiction to an addictive behavior or addictive chemical substance in a patient in need thereof by measuring a baseline craving level and then providing the patient exposure to a cue associated with the addictive behavior or addictive chemical substance. After cue exposure, a subsequent measurement of the patient's resultant craving level is obtained during or after exposure, and the baseline craving level is compared with the resultant craving level to determine the effect of cue exposure on craving.
The comparison of baseline and resultant craving levels is used to improve the patient's addiction by delivering a neuromodulation signal comprising a focused ultrasound signal, a transcranial magnetic stimulation signal, and/or a deep brain stimulation signal. In related embodiments, neuromodulation is delivered based on whether the resultant craving increases above the baseline, and delivery is adjusted, increased, decreased, or withheld when changes are substantially the same or decrease compared to baseline.
In monitoring embodiments, the baseline value of a physiological parameter or the baseline craving level is measured, the patient is exposed to the cue, and resultant values are obtained during or after cue exposure. A comparison is then obtained between baseline and resultant physiological parameter values or between baseline and resultant craving levels, and based on this comparison a neuromodulation signal is delivered and a notification to the patient or a third party is provided to monitor the patient's addiction.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies three independent claims: clm-00001, clm-00011, and clm-00016. Each independent claim covers comparing baseline versus resultant measurements obtained during or after cue exposure, and delivering neuromodulation signals selected from focused ultrasound, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and deep brain stimulation; clm-00016 further includes providing notification to monitor addiction.
Baseline craving measurement with cue exposure and resultant craving comparison
obtaining a measurement of the patient's baseline craving level for the addictive behavior or addictive chemical substance; providing the patient exposure to a cue associated with the addictive behavior or addictive chemical substance; obtaining a subsequent measurement of the patient's resultant craving level during or after exposure to the cue; delivering a neuromodulation signal based on a comparison of the baseline craving level and the resultant craving level to improve the patient's addiction.
Baseline cognitive, psychosocial, or behavioral parameter comparison for cue exposure
obtaining a measurement of a baseline value of a cognitive, psychosocial or behavioral parameter relevant to the patient's addiction; providing the patient exposure to a cue associated with the addictive behavior or addictive chemical substance; obtaining a subsequent measurement of a resultant value of the cognitive, psychosocial or behavioral parameter during or after exposure to the cue; delivering a neuromodulation signal based on a comparison of the baseline value and the resultant value to improve the patient's addiction.
Baseline physiological or craving comparison with neuromodulation and notification for monitoring
obtaining a measurement of a baseline value of a physiological parameter of the patient or a baseline craving level of the patient; providing the patient exposure to a cue associated with the addictive behavior or addictive chemical substance; obtaining a measurement of a resultant value of the physiological parameter or a resultant craving level during or after exposure to the cue; obtaining a comparison of the resultant value of the physiological parameter and the baseline value of the physiological parameter or a comparison of the resultant craving level and the baseline craving level; delivering a neuromodulation signal based on the comparison; providing a notification to the patient or a third party based on the comparison to monitor the patient's addiction.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on cue exposure with baseline versus resultant measurement comparisons (craving or cognitive, psychosocial, or behavioral parameters, and/or physiological parameters or craving), using the comparison to deliver neuromodulation signals comprising focused ultrasound, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and/or deep brain stimulation, with clm-00016 additionally requiring notification to monitor addiction.
Stated Advantages
Improve the patient's addiction by delivering a neuromodulation signal based on comparison of baseline and resultant craving levels.
Improve the patient's addiction by delivering a neuromodulation signal based on comparison of baseline and resultant cognitive, psychosocial or behavioral parameter values.
Monitor the patient's addiction by providing a notification to the patient or a third party based on comparison of baseline and resultant physiological parameter values or craving levels.
Documented Applications
Improving addiction (example described as reducing cue-induced heroin and cocaine craving using rTMS over left DLPFC in a single-subject case study).
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