Methods for improving neural communication between tissue regions

Abstract

Described are methods for the improvement of neural communication between implanted and existing tissue. Methods herein use synchronous low frequency magnetic or electric stimulation of both regions to enhance communication and facilitate regeneration of nerve fibers across the tissue interface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of improving the symptoms of an Alzheimer's disease patient which comprises administering to the patient over the patient's frontal lobe repetitive magnetic field pulses at a magnetic pulse frequency that changes periodically about an average target frequency that is 30 Hz or less. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the symptoms that are improved include or more of the following:
 a. improved EEG profile 
 b. improved Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score 
 c. reduction in catatonia 
 d. improved memory 
 e. improved speech and 
 f. improved cognition. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the patient is pre-treated with a stem cell therapy. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein a strength of the magnetic pulses is from about 10 Gauss to about 4 Tesla. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein a strength of the magnetic pulses is adjusted based on a tolerance of a patient. 
     
     
         6 . A method of improving the symptoms of a patient who has experienced a cerebrovascular injury which comprises administering to the patient adjacent to the patient's cerebrovascular injury repetitive magnetic field pulses at a magnetic pulse frequency that changes periodically about an average target frequency that is 30 Hz or less. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the symptoms that are improved include one or more of the following:
 a. improved EEG profile 
 b. improved fine motor function 
 c. reduction in catatonia 
 d. improved memory 
 e. improved speech and 
 f. improved cognition. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the patient is pre-treated with a stem cell therapy. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein a strength of the magnetic pulses is from about 10 Gauss to about 4 Tesla. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein a strength of the magnetic pulses is adjusted based on a tolerance of a patient. 
     
     
         11 . A method of improving the symptoms of an Alzheimer's disease patient which comprises administering to the patient over the patient's frontal lobe repetitive alternating currents generated by a current source at an electric current frequency that changes periodically about an average target frequency that is 30 Hz or less. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the symptoms that are improved include one or more of the following:
 a. improved EEG profile 
 b. improved Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score 
 c. reduction in catatonia 
 d. improved memory 
 e. improved speech and 
 f. improved cognition. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the patient is pre-treated with a stem cell therapy. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein a strength of the electric current is adjusted based on a tolerance of a patient. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the electric current is delivered transcutaneously or subcutaneously. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein electrodes placed on the skin above the patient's frontal lobe are employed to deliver the transcutaneous electric current. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein a needle electrode or an implanted electrode array near the frontal lobe are employed to deliver the subcutaneous electric current. 
     
     
         18 . A method of improving the symptoms of a patient who has experienced a cerebrovascular injury which comprises administering to the patient adjacent to the patient's cerebrovascular injury alternating currents generated by a current source at an electric current frequency that changes periodically about an average target frequency that is 30 Hz or less. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the symptoms that are improved include one or more of the following:
 a. improved EEG profile 
 b. improved fine motor function 
 c. reduction in catatonia 
 d. improved memory 
 e. improved speech and 
 f. improved cognition. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the patient is pre-treated with a stem cell therapy. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein a strength of the electric current is adjusted based on a tolerance of a patient. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the electric current is delivered transcutaneously or subcutaneously. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein electrodes placed on the skin above the patient's cerebrovascular injury are employed to deliver the transcutaneous electric current. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein a needle electrode or an implanted electrode array near the cerebrovascular injury are employed to deliver the subcutaneous electric current. 
     
     
         25 . A method of regenerating nerves in a patient between a first distinct healthy region of tissue and a second distinct compromised region of tissue in the body of a patient comprising administering repetitive magnetic field pulses synchronously to both regions of tissue at a magnetic pulse frequency that changes periodically about an average target frequency of about 30 Hz or less whereby nerve regeneration is induced to connect the first healthy region of tissue with the second compromised region of tissue. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the patient is pre-treated with a stem cell therapy. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the regeneration of nerves comprises an axonal growth into a nerve graft or into a distal end of a severed nerve. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the regeneration of nerves comprises an axonal growth into a nerve graft or into a distal end of a severed nerve.