Methods of Enhancing Homeostatic Capacity in a Subject by Increasing Homeostatic System Component Responsiveness, and Devices for Use in Practicing the Same

Abstract

Methods of enhancing homeostatic capacity in a subject are provided. Aspects of the methods include increasing the amplitude of an input resultant response of a homeostatic system component of the subject in a manner sufficient to enhance homeostatic capacity of the subject. Also provided are devices configured for use in practicing the methods. Aspects of the invention further include methods of treating a subject for a condition via enhancement of homeostatic capacity. The methods and devices described herein find use in a variety of applications.

1 . A method of enhancing homeostatic capacity of a subject, the method comprising:
 increasing the amplitude of an input resultant response of a homeostatic system component of the subject in a manner sufficient to enhance homeostatic capacity of the subject.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the input resultant response is a chemical response. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the input resultant response is an electrical response. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the amplitude of the input resultant response is increased by 2-fold or greater. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the homeostatic system component comprises an organ or component thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the homeostatic system component comprises a component of an organ. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the component comprises a cell. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the component comprises an organelle. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the organelle is a mitochondria. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises determining a dynamic measure of homeostatic capacity for the subject. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the dynamic measure of homeostatic capacity is determined by:
 obtaining dynamic biometric data from the subject; and   evaluating the homeostatic capacity of the subject from the dynamic biometric data.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the dynamic biometric data comprises biometric data obtained over a period of time. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the biometric data is continuously obtained over the period of time. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the dynamic biometric data is obtained by evaluating a biometric parameter for a change in response to an applied stimulus. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the applied stimulus comprises a physical stimulus. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the applied stimulus comprises a chemical stimulus. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the dynamic biometric data is obtained by evaluating a biometric parameter for a rate of change over a period of time. 
     
     
         18 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein increasing the amplitude comprises administering a therapy to the subject. 
     
     
         21 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises treating the subject for a condition. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the condition is a disease condition. 
     
     
         30 - 35 . (canceled)