Selective stimulation to modulate the sympathetic nervous system

Abstract

Systems, methods and devices are provided for the targeted treatment of a variety of medical conditions by directly neuromodulating a target anatomy associated with the condition while minimizing or excluding undesired neuromodulation of other anatomies. Typically, the target anatomy includes one or more dorsal root ganglia, dorsal roots, dorsal root entry zones, or portions thereof. Such target stimulation areas are utilized due in part to their effect on the sympathetic nervous system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating an eating disorder in a patient, comprising:
 implanting a first stimulation lead with at least one electrode positioned to selectively stimulate a dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in the patient;   implanting a second stimulation lead with at least one electrode positioned to stimulate neural tissue of a sympathetic chain of the patient that is downstream from the DRG; and   applying electrical stimulation, from at least one implantable pulse generator and using the first and second stimulation leads, to the DRG and to the neural tissue of the sympathetic chain to selectively modulate gastric motility and hunger in the patient and to modulate hormonal regulation to treat the eating disorder of the patient.