Methods for selective activation of central thalamus fibers in a subject and systems therefor
Inventors
Schiff, Nicholas • Baker, Jonathan • Purpura, Keith • JANSON, Andrew • Butson, Christopher
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12507930-B2
Publication Date
2025-12-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for selective activation of central thalamus fibers in a subject is disclosed. The method involves providing one or more electrodes each with one or more contacts. The one or more electrodes are positioned in the subject's central thalamus fibers. An electrical stimulus is applied to the positioned one or more electrodes to selectively activate the central thalamus fibers of the subject. The positioning and applying are carried out to maximize central lateral nucleus and medial dorsal tegmental tract fiber pathway activation in the subject and to minimize central median parafascicularis fiber pathway activation in the subject. Methods, devices, and computer readable media for surgical planning involving selective activation of central thalamus fibers in a subject are also disclosed.
Core Innovation
The invention is directed to selective activation of central thalamus fibers in a subject by positioning one or more electrodes in the subject’s central thalamus fibers and applying an electrical stimulus to the positioned electrodes. The positioning and the applying are carried out to maximize central lateral nucleus and medial dorsal tegmental tract fiber pathway activation while minimizing central median parafascicularis fiber pathway activation.
In representative implementations, the method uses electrodes each with one or more contacts positioned in the central thalamus fibers, and stimulation is applied to selectively activate the central thalamus fibers. The approach is configured such that activation of the medial dorsal tegmental tract fiber pathway is maximized relative to activation of the central median parafascicularis fiber pathway.
The invention further supports planning and selection of electrode positions and electrical stimulation conditions using imaging and modeling of the central thalamus. A stimulation map can be generated to guide electrode positioning and stimulation, including segmentation of central thalamus into a segmented brain model and fiber pathway modeling to identify conditions that maximize central lateral nucleus and medial dorsal tegmental tract fiber pathway activation while minimizing central median parafascicularis fiber pathway activation.
An additional aspect includes optional adaptive control in which at least one sensor measures neuronal activity and the applied electrical stimulus is adjusted based on a determined neuronal activity state. Documented examples include non-human primates showing selective activation with configuration- and amplitude-dependent behavioral facilitation when DTTm is selectively activated with limited Cm-Pf co-activation.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides one independent claim describing selective activation, with dependent claims refining electrode configuration, imaging/model-based planning, sensor-based closed-loop adjustment, and optional constraints on pathway activation and stimulation.
Selective positioning and stimulation to maximize DTTm/CL while minimizing Cm-Pf
Positioning one or more electrodes in a subject’s central thalamus fibers and applying an electrical stimulus to selectively activate the central thalamus fibers, where positioning and applying maximize central lateral nucleus and medial dorsal tegmental tract fiber pathway activation and minimize central median parafascicularis fiber pathway activation.
Electrode contacts for placement in central thalamus fibers
Providing one or more electrodes each with one or more contacts, and positioning the one or more electrodes in the subject’s central thalamus fibers for selective activation.
Multipolar multi-contact electrode configuration
Providing a plurality of electrodes, where each electrode has multiple spaced contacts.
Imaging- and model-based planning with stimulation map
Imaging the subject’s brain, segmenting the central thalamus into a segmented brain model, identifying electrode positions and electrical stimulation conditions using the segmented brain model to maximize central lateral nucleus and medial dorsal tegmental tract fiber pathway activation while minimizing central medial parafascicularis fiber pathway activation, and producing a stimulation map for positioning and applying the stimulation.
Sensor-based neuronal activity state adjustment
Providing at least one sensor to measure neuronal activity in the subject’s brain and adjusting the applied electrical stimulus based on the determined neuronal activity state.
Across the independent claim and available dependent refinements, the inventive coverage centers on selectively maximizing central lateral nucleus and medial dorsal tegmental tract fiber pathway activation while minimizing central median parafascicularis fiber pathway activation, including optional imaging/model-based planning with a stimulation map and optional sensor-based adjustment using neuronal activity state.
Stated Advantages
Maximize central lateral nucleus and medial dorsal tegmental tract fiber pathway activation while minimizing central median parafascicularis fiber pathway activation.
Selective activation of DTTm with limited Cm-Pf co-activation is associated with configuration- and amplitude-dependent behavioral facilitation in non-human primates.
Documented Applications
Deep brain stimulation in a subject using selective electrical activation of central thalamus fiber pathways to achieve targeted pathway activation and avoid co-activation.
Non-human primate examples demonstrating selective DTTm activation with limited Cm-Pf co-activation and behavioral facilitation.
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