Method and system to provide therapy for neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive impairments using gradient magnetic pulses to the brain and pulsed electrical stimulation to vagus nerve(s)

摘要

A method and system of providing therapy or alleviating the symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive impairments comprises, providing gradient magnetic pulses to the brain and pulsed electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve(s) for afferent neuromodulation. These neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive impairments include depression, bipolar depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorders, sleep disorders, learning difficulties, memory impairments and the like. Gradient magnetic pulses are provided to the brain at approximately 1 KHz frequency in sessions that typically last for approximately 20 minutes, but can range from about 2 minutes to 5 hours. These gradient magnetic pulses produce a relatively constant electric field in the brain. Pulsed electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve(s) may be provided continuously in ON-OFF repeating cycles. The two stimulation therapies may be given in any order, any combination, or any sequence as determined by the physician. The two stimulation therapies may also be used with or without pharmaceutical therapy. Pulsed electrical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) may be provided using an implanted pulse generator (IPG) or an external stimulator used in conjunction with an implanted stimulus-receiver. In one aspect of the invention the pulse generator system may comprise communication capabilities for networking over a wide area network, for remote interrogation and programming.