Abstract: A system and method for monitoring nerve activity in a subject. The system includes a plurality of electrodes placed in proximity to skin of the subject, an amplifier electrically connected to the electrodes and configured to generate a plurality of amplified signals corresponding to electrical signals received from the subject through the electrodes, and a signal processor. The signal processor applies a high-pass filter to the amplified signals to generate filtered signals from the amplified signals, identifies autonomic nerve activity in the plurality of filtered signals; and generates an output signal corresponding to the filtered signals. The high-pass filter attenuates a plurality of the amplified signals having frequencies that correspond to heart muscle activity during a heartbeat.

Abstract: A method has been developed that detects cardiac arrhythmia from intrinsic cardiac nerve signals obtained from a heart in a patient. The method includes sampling intrinsic cardiac nerve activity at a high sample rate, filtering the sampled signal with a high pass filter, comparing the filtered signal to a predetermined threshold, and initiating a therapeutic action in response to the filtered signal exceeding the predetermined threshold. The intrinsic cardiac nerve activity may be received through an electrode implanted on the heart or from an electrode inserted into the venous structure of the heart.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring nerve activity in a subject. The system includes a plurality of electrodes placed in proximity to skin of the subject, an amplifier electrically connected to the electrodes and configured to generate a plurality of amplified signals corresponding to electrical signals received from the subject through the electrodes, and a signal processor. The signal processor applies a high-pass filter to the amplified signals to generate filtered signals from the amplified signals, identifies autonomic nerve activity in the plurality of filtered signals; and generates an output signal corresponding to the filtered signals. The high-pass filter attenuates a plurality of the amplified signals having frequencies that correspond to heart muscle activity during a heartbeat.

Abstract: A method of nerve stimulation produces therapeutic effects in an organ not directly innervated by the electrically stimulated nerve. The method includes identifying an electrical stimulation reaction threshold of at least one organ directly innervated by a parasympathetic nerve of a subject, identifying a reaction threshold of at least one tissue that is not directly innervated by the parasympathetic nerve of the subject after the parasympathetic nerve is electrically stimulated, and electrically stimulating the parasympathetic nerve with an electrical stimulation signal that is below the identified reaction threshold for the at least one directly innervated organ, but above a reaction threshold for the at least one tissue or organ that is not directly innervated by the parasympathetic nerve of the subject.

Abstract: A method has been developed that detects cardiac arrhythmia from intrinsic cardiac nerve signals obtained from a heart in a patient. The method includes sampling intrinsic cardiac nerve activity at a high sample rate, filtering the sampled signal with a high pass filter, comparing the filtered signal to a predetermined threshold, and initiating a therapeutic action in response to the filtered signal exceeding the predetermined threshold. The intrinsic cardiac nerve activity may be received through an electrode implanted on the heart or from an electrode inserted into the venous structure of the heart.