Apparatus and methods for producing brain activation via the vestibular system with time-varying waveforms

1. A device for delivering caloric vestibular stimulation to an individual, comprising:

(a) an earpiece configured to be at least partially insertable into the ear canal of the individual for delivering said caloric vestibular stimulation;

(b) a power supply operatively associated with said earpiece; and

(c) a controller operatively associated with said power supply and said earpiece for configuring said caloric vestibular stimulation as at least a first and second time-varying waveform configured to induce nystagmus such that the nystagmus is substantially present over a period of at least four minutes.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising

(d) a thermoelectric device connected to said earpiece, wherein said earpiece is operatively associated with said controller through said thermoelectric device.

3. The device of claim 2 , further comprising:

(e) a temperature sensor thermally connected to said earpiece and operatively associated with said controller;

and wherein said controller delivers said time-varying waveforms as actively controlled time varying waveforms responsive to said temperature sensor.

4. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:

(f) a heat sink operatively associated with said earpiece.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein said earpiece is comprised of metal.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein said at least a first and second time-varying waveform comprises from 3 to 10 sequential waveforms.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein each of said time varying waveforms comprises a ramped leading edge and/or a ramped trailing edge.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein each of said time varying waveforms, which may be the same or different, has a duration of from 1 minute to 20 minutes and an amplitude of from 5 to 24 degrees Centigrade.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein said time varying waveforms are delivered in a sequence in a treatment session, said treatment session having a total duration of five to 20 minutes.

10. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:

(d) a thermoelectric device connected to said earpiece, and wherein said earpiece is operatively associated with said controller through said thermoelectric device;

(e) a temperature sensor thermally connected to said earpiece and operatively associated with said controller; and wherein said controller delivers said time-varying waveforms as actively controlled time varying waveforms responsive to said temperature sensor; and

(f) a heat sink operatively associated with said earpiece, and wherein:

said earpiece is comprised of metal; and

said at least a first and second time-varying waveform consists of from 3 to 10 sequential waveforms having a ramped leading edge, a ramped trailing edge, and an amplitude of from 5 to 24 degrees Centigrade, which sequential waveforms are delivered in a treatment session having a duration of five to 20 minutes and are configured to induce nystagmus such that the nystagmus is substantially present over a period of at least four minutes.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein said time varying waveforms are administered so that saturation of vestibular nerve activation in said individual is reduced.

12. The device of claim 11 , wherein said time varying waveforms are administered so that activation of a fastigial nucleus in said individual is enhanced.

13. A method of administering caloric vestibular stimulation to a subject in need thereof, comprising:

administering caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS) to said subject in a treatment-effective amount,

said caloric vestibular stimulation comprising at least a first and a second actively controlled time varying waveform stimulus configured to induce nystagmus such that the nystagmus is substantially present over a period of at least four minutes.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein:

(a) said subject is afflicted with a condition associated with a mitochondrial disorder or myopathy;

(b) said subject is afflicted with a condition selected from the group consisting of Parkinson's disease, migraine headache, depression, anxiety, type II diabetes, dementia, spatial neglect, seizures, and post-traumatic stress disorder; or

(d) said CVS is administered in an amount effective to enhance cognition or cognitive reserve in said subject.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein said at least a first and second time-varying waveform comprises from 3 to 10 sequential waveforms.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein each of said time varying waveforms comprises a ramped leading edge and/or a ramped trailing edge.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein each of said time varying waveforms, which may be the same or different, has a duration of from 1 minute to 20 minutes and an amplitude of from 5 to 24 degrees Centigrade.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein said time varying waveforms are delivered in a sequence in a treatment session, said treatment session having a total duration of five to 20 minutes.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein said time varying waveforms are administered so that saturation of vestibular nerve activation in said individual is reduced.

20. The method of claim 13 , wherein said at least a first and second time-varying waveform consists of from 3 to 10 sequential waveforms having a ramped leading edge, a ramped trailing edge, and an amplitude of from 5 to 24 degrees Centigrade, which sequential waveforms are delivered in a treatment session having a duration of five to 20 minutes.