Device for the desynchronization of neuronal brain activity

Abstract

A device for desynchronizing neuronal brain activity involving a neuron population firing in a synchronized manner at a pathological frequency. The device includes an electrode configured to generate stimuli that stimulate the neuron population; and a control unit configured to control the electrode to generate the stimuli in sequence, wherein the stimuli succeed each other with a predetermined frequency f. The predetermined frequency f is substantially equal to g×n/m, where g is the pathological frequency, and n and m are integers.

1 . A device for desynchronizing neuronal brain activity involving a neuron population firing in a synchronized manner at a pathological frequency, the device comprising:
 an electrode configured to generate stimuli that stimulate the neuron population; and   a control unit configured to control the electrode to generate the stimuli in sequence, wherein the stimuli succeed each other with a predetermined frequency f,   wherein the predetermined frequency f is substantially equal to g×n/m, and   wherein g is the pathological frequency, and n and m are integers.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein n is 1. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein n is 1, 2 or 3, and m is 1, 2 or 3. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the stimuli are bursts of electrical pulses. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is further configured to generate the stimuli periodically. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is further configured to vary the generation of the stimuli stochastically and/or deterministically. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a further electrode configured to generate stimuli that stimulates the neuron population, and wherein the control unit is further configured to control the further electrode to generate the stimuli in sequence, wherein the stimuli succeed each other with the predetermined frequency f. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the electrode and the further electrode are further configured to generate the stimuli simultaneously and with different polarities. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the electrode and the further electrode are further configured to generate the stimuli having a predetermined time shift between the stimuli generated by the electrode and the stimuli generated by the further electrode, wherein the stimuli generated by the electrode and the further electrode have the same polarities. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the electrode and the further electrode are configured to generate identical stimuli. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the control unit is further configured to vary when the electrical pulses in the bursts are generated either stochastically and/or deterministically.