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Abstract

A method of treating a patient in coma is performed by placing an electrode in juxtaposition with a preselected cranial nerve of the patient for electrical stimulation of the nerve, applying an electrical pulse waveform to the electrode to stimulate the cranial nerve, and adjusting electrical parameters of the pulse waveform to modulate electrical activity of the nerve in an effort to rouse the patient from the coma. The patient's response to the treatment is monitored and assessed by the attending physician according to Glasgow coma scale. The preferred cranial nerve is the vagus nerve, and the stimulation is performed either for acute treatment by positioning an esophageal electrode in the patient for stimulating a region of the vagus nerve in the neck, or for longer term treatment by implanting a nerve electrode on the vagus nerve. The electrical parameters of the pulse waveform to be adjusted, by programming, include pulse frequency, pulse width, pulse current, pulse voltage, waveform on time, and waveform off time. The programming is performed to control the patient's EEG activity by said modulation of the electrical activity of the vagus nerve. Preferably, the EEG activity is desynchronized.

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First Claim