Method, system and apparatus for control of pancreatic beta cell function to improve glucose homeostasis and insulin production

摘要

The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatuses for effecting excitation or inhibition of small sensory nerve fibers, such as C-afferent fibers, by electrical stimulation of nerves innervating the pancreas in diabetic subjects. In an aspect the methods are directed to effecting insulin production and for the treatment of diabetes. This invention includes a closed or open loop feedback control system in which biomarker levels are monitored in order to direct electrical stimulation. An implantable or external neural stimulation device is also provided.

主权项

1. A method for treating a metabolic disease or disorder in a human subject suffering from said metabolic disease or disorder by inhibiting secretion of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) from one or more C-afferent sensory nerve fibers, comprising:
applying, via a pulse generator in operable communication with an implantable lead, an electrical impulse to one or more C-afferent sensory nerve fibers innervating pancreatic beta cells in the subject, the electrical impulse configured to have a frequency ranging from 60 to 10,000 Hz and further configured to inhibit the secretion of CGRP from the one or more C-afferent sensory nerve fibers to treat the metabolic disease/disorder.