Abstract: Systems and methods for promoting neuroplasticity in a brain of a subject to improve and/or restore neural function are disclosed herein. One such method includes detecting residual movement and/or muscular activity in a limb of the subject, such as a paretic limb. The method further includes generating a stimulation pattern based on the detected movement and/or muscular activity, and stimulating the brain of the subject with the stimulation pattern. It is expected that delivering stimulation based on the detected residual movement and/or muscular activity of the limb will induce neuroplasticity for restoring neural function, such as control of the limb. A second method involves detecting brain signals and delivering contingent stimulation. A third method involves delivering pairs of successive stimulus patterns to two brain sites, controlled either by preprogrammed sequences or contingent on neural or muscular activity or movement.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 19, 2019
Date of Patent:
April 4, 2023
Assignee:
University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital Children's Research Institute
Inventors:
Rajesh P. N. Rao, Jeffrey G. Ojemann, Eberhard E. Fetz, Chet T. Moritz, Jeffrey Herron