Systems and methods for improving a cognitive function

Abstract

In many aspects, the invention relates to systems and methods for providing cognitive therapy through stimulation of activating and inhibiting neurons in the brain, thereby modulating neural firing rhythms. The stimulation of neurons is controlled through a feedback process whereby neuron firing rhythms are altered based on naturally occurring electrical and chemical activity in the brain. Neurons in specific regions of the brain may be targeted in order to establish neural signaling pathways and establish communication between these regions.

1 . A method of improving a cognitive function in a patient, comprising: 
 (a) receiving a set of inputs from a first region in a patient's brain,    (b) correlating the set of inputs with a set of neurophysiological markers of a cognitive function, and    (c) improving the cognitive function in the patient's brain by inducing a response in a second region of the brain, which response is selected based upon the correlations of step (b).    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cognitive function includes memory.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining an alertness level.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the response is selected further based upon the alertness level.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein a location of the second region is based on the alertness level.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the alertness level is based on a state of consciousness of the patient including at least one of awake, alert, sleep and unconsciousness.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the alertness level is based on whether the patient's brain is performing at least one of information processing, information consolidation and information recall.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the alertness level is determined by a user.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the alertness level is determined based on the set of inputs.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the set of inputs includes at least one of theta activity, delta activity, and alpha activity, recorded from hippocampus and neocortex, and rhythmic discharges from supramammillary nucleus and medial septum.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the patient exhibits at least two alertness levels.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein improving the cognitive function comprises inducing at least two different responses that correspond to the at least two alertness levels.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein improving the cognitive function comprises 
 inducing neurons in the second region of the brain to generate hippocampal theta rhythm when alertness level is set high, and    inducing neurons in the second region of the brain to generate hippocampal sharp waves when alertness level is set low.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving a set of inputs includes measuring at least one of an electrical signal and a chemical signal.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first region in the brain exhibits activity indicative of memory readiness.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first region includes at least one of hippocampus and neocortex.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the set of neurophysiological markers includes at least one of hippocampal theta and cortical theta activity.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inducing a response includes delivering at least one of an electrical signal and a chemical signal to neurons in the second region in the brain.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the cognitive function is improved by inducing at least one of a hippocampal theta rhythm, hippocampal sharp waves and gamma activity.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the theta rhythm is induced by stimulating at least one of activating neurons and inhibiting neurons in the second region.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the hippocampal sharp waves are induced by stimulating at least one of activating neurons and inhibiting neurons in the second region.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second region includes at least one of hippocampus, medial septum, fornix, fimbria, supramammillary nucleus, posterior hypothalamus, nucleus basalis Meynert, nucleus pontis oralis and median raphe nucleus.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the gamma activities are induced by stimulating at least one of activating neurons and inhibiting neurons in the second region.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inducing a response includes inducing neurons in the second region of the patient's brain to generate a signal that is substantially similar to the at least one of the set of inputs.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cognitive function includes positive memory events.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising 
 predicting negative memory events based on the inputs from the first region, and    applying a signal that is substantially similar to the activity observed at the second region during positive memory events.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising building a database of positive memory events and negative memory events based on a set of cognitive exercises performed by the patient.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first region and the second region comprises a neural signaling pathway that includes neurons connecting at least two of CA 1 , CA 2 , CA 3 , Dentate Gyrus, Entorhinal Cortex, Hilus, and subiculum.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first region and the second region comprises a neural signaling pathway that includes neurons connecting at least two of posterior nucleus hypothalamus, supramammillary nucleus, medial septum, hippocampus, neocortex.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first region and the second region comprises a neural signaling pathway that includes the Perforant Path, Schaffer Collateral Pathway, and Associational Commissural Pathway.  
   
   
       31 . A system for improving a cognitive function, comprising: 
 a plurality of implantable elements for sensing and delivering signals within a brain; and    control circuitry configured to: 
 receive a set of inputs from at least one of the plurality of implantable elements,  
 correlate the set of inputs with a set of neurophysiological markers of a cognitive function,  
 determine a response based on said correlations, and  
 induce the response in the brain using at least one of the plurality of implantable elements.  
   
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the implantable elements include electrodes capable of recording and generating electrical signals.  
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the implantable elements include sensors capable of sensing chemical concentration.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the implantable elements include catheters for delivering chemicals to the brain.  
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the implantable elements include a reservoir for supplying chemicals to the brain.  
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the implantable elements include at least one short term electrode, and at least one long term electrode, and the control circuitry is further configured to: 
 determine if the short term electrode is functioning,    in response to determining that the short term electrode is functioning, receive a first set of inputs from the at least one short term electrode and a second set of inputs from the at least one long term electrode, and    associate one or more of the first set of inputs with one or more of the second set of inputs    in response to determining that the short term electrode has failed, infer a first set of inputs based on the second set of inputs.    
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising at least one training mode and at least one functioning mode.  
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 37 , further comprising a database of activities observed at the second region during positive memory events.  
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to: 
 populate the database of activities during the training mode, and    apply the activities in the database to the second set of regions during function mode.    
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 38 , further comprising a database of activity observed at the first region during negative memory events.  
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to: 
 populate both databases during the training mode, and    identify negative memory events based on referencing the inputs from the first region to the database of negative memory events and apply the corresponding activity from the database of positive memory events during function mode.