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Publication Number
US-9308385-B2
Publication Date
2016-04-12
Expiration Date
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 modulates mammalian brain activity using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). The rTMS is delivered at a frequency determined by a non-EEG biological metric, or a harmonic or sub-harmonic of that non-EEG biological metric, for a time sufficient to modulate brain activity. An improvement in a physiological condition or a neuropsychiatric condition is achieved.
The disclosed frequency selection links non-EEG biological metric rhythms with EEG frequency bands. The method selects a harmonic closest to a target EEG band selected from delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma, or Mu rhythm. Coherence between EEG peaks and physiological harmonics is used to associate preferred rTMS frequencies with brain activity modulation.
The document provides embodiments applying the method to specific conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), chronic pain, and Alzheimer’s disease. It describes using EEG titration where intrinsic alpha is unclear and includes patient treatments with reported clinical/EEG improvements. Tables map heart rate to resulting rTMS frequencies for various EEG bands.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims cover three main inventive scopes, each defining rTMS frequency selection based on a non-EEG biological metric (or harmonic/sub-harmonic) to modulate brain activity and achieve improvement in specified conditions. Across the independent claims, the number of inventive features centers on (i) non-EEG biological metric frequency determination (or harmonic/sub-harmonic), (ii) rTMS for a time sufficient to modulate brain activity, and (iii) improvement of the targeted physiological/neuropsychiatric condition, with Alzheimer’s disease and chronic pain being claim-specific.
Non-EEG metric frequency for rTMS to improve a physiological or neuropsychiatric condition
A method of modulating a brain activity of a mammal by subjecting the mammal to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at a frequency of a non-EEG biological metric, or a harmonic or sub-harmonic of said non-EEG biological metric, for a time sufficient to modulate said brain activity, wherein an improvement in a physiological condition or a neuropsychiatric condition is achieved.
Non-EEG metric frequency for rTMS to improve Alzheimer’s disease symptoms
A method of modulating a brain activity of a patient having Alzheimer's disease by subjecting the patient to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at a frequency of a non-EEG biological metric, or a harmonic of said non-EEG biological metric, for a time sufficient to modulate said brain activity wherein an improvement in the symptoms of the Alzheimer's disease is achieved.
Non-EEG metric frequency for rTMS to improve chronic pain
A method of modulating a brain activity of a patient having chronic pain by subjecting the patient to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at a frequency of a non-EEG biological metric, or a harmonic of said non-EEG biological metric, for a time sufficient to modulate said brain activity wherein an improvement in chronic pain is achieved.
Overall, the claim set defines rTMS frequency modulation using a non-EEG biological metric (or harmonic/sub-harmonic), with rTMS applied for a time sufficient to modulate brain activity and produce improvement, where independent claims specify the target condition as either a general physiological/neuropsychiatric condition, Alzheimer’s disease symptoms, or chronic pain.
Stated Advantages
Achieves an improvement in a physiological condition or a neuropsychiatric condition.
Achieves an improvement in the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Achieves an improvement in chronic pain.
Documented Applications
Treatment of autism (Example 1 Treatment of Autism).
Pain relief / pain management (Example 2 Pain Relief—Pain Management).
Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (Example 3 Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease).
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