Chaotic desynchronization of neural populations with non-pulsatile inputs

US9352155B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• The Regents of the University of California · US
• Regents of the University of Minnesota · US

Inventors

• Jeffrey Michael Moehlis · Goleta, US
• Daniel David Wilson · Goleta, US
• Theoden I. Netoff · Minneapolis, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 27, 2013
• Grant date: May 31, 2016
• Expiry date: Sep 27, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/378
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method is provided for finding an energy-optimal stimulus which gives a positive Lyapunov exponent, and hence desynchronization, for a neural population. The method is illustrated for three different neural models. Not only does it achieve desynchronization for each model, but it also does so using less energy than recently proposed methods, suggesting a powerful alternative to pulsatile stimuli for deep brain stimulation. Furthermore, we calculate error bounds on the optimal stimulus which will guarantee a minimum Lyapunov exponent. Also, a related control strategy is developed for desynchronizing neurons based on the population's phase distribution.