Methods and systems for treating autism

1 . A method of treating autism, said method comprising:

applying at least one stimulus with an implanted stimulator to a stimulation site within a brain of an autistic patient;

wherein said stimulus is in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters and configured to treat autism.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said stimulation site comprises at least one or more of a location within a temporal lobe, cerebral ventricle, prefrontal cortex, and a location within a limbic system of said patient.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said stimulator is coupled to one or more electrodes, and wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered via said electrodes.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said stimulus comprises one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered to said stimulation site and one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising inducing neural remodeling within said brain with said stimulus to treat said autism.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising sensing at least one indicator related to said autism and using said at least one sensed indicator to adjust one or more of said stimulation parameters.

8 . The method of claim 8 , wherein said at least one indicator comprises at least one or more of an electrical activity of said brain, a chemical level of said brain, a neurotransmitter level, a hormone level, and a medication level.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said stimulator is implanted within at least one or more of a subdural space, a sinus cavity, and a cerebral ventricle.

10 . A system for treating autism, said system comprising:

a stimulator configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a brain of an autistic patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters;

wherein said stimulation parameters and resulting stimulus are configured to treat said autism.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said stimulation site comprises at least one or more of a location within a temporal lobe, cerebral ventricle, prefrontal cortex, and a location within a limbic system of said patient.

12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said stimulator is coupled to one or more electrodes, and wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered via said electrodes.

13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said stimulus comprises one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

14 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said stimulus comprises a stimulation current delivered to said stimulation site and one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.

15 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said stimulator is configured to induce neural remodeling within said brain to treat said autism.

16 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising:

a sensor device for sensing at least one indicator related to said autism;

wherein said stimulator uses said at least one sensed indicator to adjust one or more of said stimulation parameters.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein said at least one indicator comprises at least one or more of an electrical activity of said brain, a chemical level of said brain, a neurotransmitter level, a hormone level, and a medication level.

18 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said stimulator is implanted within at least one or more of a subdural space and a cerebral ventricle.

19 . A system for treating autism, said system comprising:

means for applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a brain of an autistic patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters; and

means for adjusting said stimulation parameters such that said stimulus is effective to treat said autism.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein said stimulus comprises at least one or more of a stimulation current and one or more drugs delivered to said stimulation site.