Apparatus and method for electromagnetic treatment of neurodegenerative conditions
Described herein are methods of treating neurological injury and conditions, in particular neurodegenerative conditions. These treatment methods can include the steps of generating a pulsed electromagnetic field from a pulsed electromagnetic field source and applying the pulsed electromagnetic field in proximity to a target region.
1. A method for treating a neurodegenerative disease or condition in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising:
placing a pulsed electromagnetic device comprising a pulsed electromagnetic field source external to a patient's head and in proximity to a target region for treatment through a skull;
generating a pulsed electromagnetic field from the pulsed electromagnetic field source;
applying the pulsed electromagnetic field through the skull to a target cerebrofacial tissue; and
reducing a physiological response to the neurodegenerative disease or condition by applying the pulsed electromagnetic field;
wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field has a strength of 200 milliGauss or less.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target cerebrofacial tissue is a head.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target cerebrofacial tissue is a brain.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the pulsed electromagnetic field treats a degenerative neurological pathology.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein pulsed electromagnetic field is applied for 1 minute to 240 minutes.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein further comprising placing the pulsed electromagnetic field source in proximity to the cerebrofacial tissue.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the pulsed electromagnetic field comprises generating an electromagnetic field with a pulse burst envelope of mono- or bi-polar rectangular or sinusoidal pulses which induce peak electric fields between 10-8 and 10 volts per centimeter (V/cm).
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the pulsed electromagnetic field comprises generating at least one burst of sinusoidal, rectangular, chaotic, or random wave shapes, having a frequency content in a range of about 0.01 Hz to about 100 MHz, having a burst duration from about 0.1 to about 100 msec, and having a burst repetition rate from about 0.01 to about 1000 bursts/second.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field comprises about 0.01 millisecond to about 10 millisecond burst of 27.12 MHz sinusoidal waves repeating at about 1 to about 100 bursts per second.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field has an induced electric field from about 0.001 mV/cm to about 100 mV/cm.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease or condition includes Parkinson's disease.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the pulsed electromagnetic field prevents the deterioration of neurons in the cerebrofacial tissue.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the pulsed electromagnetic field increases a neuron population in the cerebrofacial tissue.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the pulsed electromagnetic field increases cytokines in the cerebrofacial tissue.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the pulsed electromagnetic field increases growth factors in the cerebrofacial tissue.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the pulsed electromagnetic field enhances blood flow in the cerebrofacial tissue.
17. A method for treating a neurodegenerative disease or condition a in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising:
placing a pulsed electromagnetic device comprising a pulsed electromagnetic field source external to a patient's head and in proximity to a target region for treatment through a skull;
generating a pulsed electromagnetic field from the pulsed electromagnetic field source; applying the pulsed electromagnetic field through the skull to a target region affected by the neurodegenerative disease or condition; and
reducing a physiological response to the neurodegenerative disease or condition by applying the pulsed electromagnetic field,
wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field has a strength of 200 milliGauss or less.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the physiological response is inflammation.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the physiological response is increased intracranial pressure.
20. The method of claim 17 , further comprising
monitoring the physiological response; and
continuing to apply the pulsed electromagnetic field until an acceptable level of the physiological response is reached.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the physiological response is increased intracranial pressure and the acceptable level is below about 20 mmHg.
22. The method of claim 17 , wherein generating the pulsed electromagnetic field comprises a 2 msec burst of 27.12 MHz sinusoidal waves repeating at 2 Hz.
23. The method of claim 17 , wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field comprises a 3 msec burst of 27.12 MHz sinusoidal waves repeating at 2 Hz.
24. The method of claim 17 , wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field comprises a 4 msec burst of 27.12 MHz sinusoidal waves repeating at 2 Hz.
25. The method of claim 17 , wherein the neurodegenerative injury or condition is Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease.
26. The method of claim 17 , wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field comprises about a 1 msec to about a 10 msec burst of 27.12 MHz sinusoidal waves repeating at about 1 Hz to about 10 Hz.
27. The method of claim 17 , wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field comprises an ISM carrier frequency modulated at about a 1 msec to about a 10 msec burst repeating at about 1 Hz to about 10 Hz.
28. The method of claim 17 , wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field comprises an ISM carrier or any other radio frequency up to 10,000 GHz, configured to modulate a rhythm of a physiological system.
29. The method of claim 28 , wherein the physiological system is the central nervous system.
30. The method of claim 17 , wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field comprises an ISM carrier or any other radio frequency up to 10,000 GHz, configured to modulate a rhythm of a brain.
31. The method of claim 17 , wherein the electromagnetic field comprises a waveform that modulates at least one biological signaling pathway.
32. The method of claim 17 , wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field comprises an ISM carrier or any other radio frequency up to 10,000 GHz, configured to modulate a sleep pattern.
33. The method of claim 17 , wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field comprises an ISM carrier or any other radio frequency up to 10,000 GHz, configured to modulate slow-wave sleep in a sleep cycle to effect the production of human growth hormone.
34. The method of claim 17 , wherein the target region is a brain of the patient.
35. A method for treating a neurodegenerative injury or condition in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising:
placing a pulsed electromagnetic device comprising a pulsed electromagnetic field source external to a patient's head and in proximity to a target region for treatment through a skull;
generating a first pulsed electromagnetic field from the pulsed electromagnetic field source;
applying the first pulsed electromagnetic field externally through a skull to a target region affected by the neurodegenerative injury or condition for a first treatment interval;
reducing a physiological response to the neurodegenerative injury or condition by applying the first pulsed electromagnetic field;
discontinuing the application of the first pulsed electromagnetic field for an inter-treatment period greater than zero; and
applying a second pulsed electromagnetic field in proximity to the target region;
wherein the first and second pulsed electromagnetic fields each have strengths of 200 milliGauss or less.
36. The method of claim 35 , wherein the first and second pulsed electromagnetic fields are substantially the same.
37. The method of claim 35 , further comprising
monitoring the physiological response; and
modifying the first pulsed electromagnetic field to the second pulsed electromagnetic field in response to the monitoring step.
38. The method of claim 35 , further comprising
monitoring the physiological response; and
discontinuing treatment once an acceptable level of the physiological response is reached.
39. The method of claim 35 , further comprising attenuating inflammatory cytokines and growth factors at the target region by applying the first pulsed electromagnetic field or the second pulsed electromagnetic field to the target region.
40. The method of claim 35 , further comprising accelerating the healing of the target region by applying the first pulsed electromagnetic field or the second pulsed electromagnetic field to the target region.
41. The method of claim 35 , wherein applying the first pulsed electromagnetic field in proximity to a target region affected by the neurodegenerative injury or condition to reduce a physiological response comprises reducing a concentration of IL-1β.
42. The method of claim 35 , wherein the neurodegenerative injury or condition is Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease.
43. The method of claim 35 , further comprising increasing a growth factor in the target region.
44. The method of claim 43 , wherein increasing a growth factor in the target region enhances angiogenesis.
45. The method of claim 43 , wherein increasing a growth factor in the target region enhances nervous tissue regeneration.
46. The method of claim 43 , wherein the growth factor is selected from the group consisting of FGF-2, VEGF, and BMP.
47. The method of claim 35 , wherein the target region is a brain of the patient.
48. A method for treating a neurodegenerative injury or condition in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising:
placing a pulsed electromagnetic device comprising a pulsed electromagnetic field source external to a patient's head and in proximity to a target region for treatment through a skull;
generating a pulsed electromagnetic field from the pulsed electromagnetic field source;
externally applying the pulsed electromagnetic field through a skull to a target brain region affected by the neurodegenerative injury or condition;
modulating microglia activation in the target brain region by externally applying the pulsed electromagnetic field; and
reducing a physiological response to the neurodegenerative injury or condition by modulating microglia activation in the target brain region,
wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field has a strength of 200 milliGauss or less.
49. The method of claim 48 , wherein modulating microglia activation comprises reducing microglia activation in the target brain region.
50. The method of claim 48 , wherein the neurodegenerative injury or condition is Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease.
51. A method of promoting neurodegenerative repair or growth following a neurodegenerative injury or condition comprising:
placing a treatment coil of a self-contained, lightweight, and portable treatment apparatus externally to a target treatment site in need of repair or development, wherein the treatment apparatus comprises a conformable coil having one or more turns of wire and a control circuit;
generating an electromagnetic field using the treatment coil;
delivering the electromagnetic field through the skull to the target treatment site using the treatment coil; and
reducing a physiological response to the neurodegenerative injury or condition by delivering the electromagnetic field;
wherein the pulsed electromagnetic field has a strength of 200 milliGauss or less.
52. The method of claim 51 , wherein generating an electromagnetic field comprises generating at least one burst of sinusoidal, rectangular, chaotic, or random waveforms, having a frequency content in a range of about 0.01 Hz to about 10,000 MHz, having a burst duration from about 0.1 to about 100 msec, at a peak amplitude of 0.001 G to about 0.1 G, and having a burst repetition rate from about 0.01 to about 100 bursts/second.
53. The method of claim 51 , further comprising delivering the electromagnetic field for a period of about 1 minute to about 240 minutes.
54. The method of claim 51 , wherein the physiological response is a cognitive deficiency.
55. The method of claim 51 , wherein the neurodegenerative injury or condition is Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease.
56. The method of claim 51 , wherein the target treatment site is a brain.