Methods, implantable devices, and systems for treating a cancer or inhibiting cancer growth or recurrence in a subject are described herein. Such methods can include electrically stimulating a thoracic splanchnic nerve (such as a greater splanchnic nerve) of the subject with a plurality of electrical pulses emitted from one or more electrodes m electrical communication with the splanchnic nerve, wherein the plurality of electrical pulses triggers one or more action potentials in the splanchnic nerve to increase circulating natural killer (NK) cells in the subject. An implantable device may include one or more electrodes configured to be in electrical communication with a thoracic splanchnic nerve of a subject with cancer, and be configured to operate the one or more electrodes to electrically stimulate the splanchnic nerve with a plurality of electrical pulses that triggers one or more action potentials in the splanchnic nerve that increase circulating NK cells.

Stimulation of neural activity in a nerve supplying the spleen, wherein the nerve is associated with a neurovascular bundle, can re-programme immune cells in the spleen, modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules levels, and induce disease-resolution pathways system-ically thereby reducing inflammation and providing ways of treating inflammatory disorders. The invention provides improved ways of treating inflammatory disorders which minimize off-target effects.

A system may include a stimulator, sensing circuitry and a controller. The stimulator may be configured to deliver an electrical therapy using at least one electrode by delivering an electrical waveform according to waveform parameters. The sensing circuitry may be configured to sense electrical potentials. A controller may be configured to detect at least one feature in the sensed electrical potentials, provide closed-loop control of the stimulator using a control algorithm and the detected at least one feature as an input into the control algorithm, determine whether the detected at least one feature is anomalous with respect to the feature data used to determine the one or more relationships, and perform remedial action when it is determined that the at least one feature is anomalous with respect to the feature data.

Modulation of neural signaling of a pancreas-related sympathetic nerve is capable of improving glycaemic control by inhibiting T cell activation or migration to the pancreas, and hence providing a way of treating or preventing type 1 diabetes.

Modulation of neural activity in the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) or cervical sympathetic trunk (CST) is effective in treating diseases and conditions mediated by thyroid and parathyroid hormones, in particular diseases associated with calcitonin secretion (e.g. osteoporosis) or diseases associated with thyroxine secretion (e.g. hypothyroid syndrome).

Modulation of neural signaling of a pancreas-related sympathetic nerve is capable of improving glycaemic control by inhibiting T cell activation or migration to the pancreas, and hence providing a way of treating or preventing type 1 diabetes.

Described is a low voltage, pulsed electrical stimulation device for controlling expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (“BDNF”), a useful protein, by tissues. Also described are methods of enhancing expression of BDNF in cells, particularly a method of stimulating the expression and/or release of BDNF in a cell having a gene encoding BDNF, wherein the method includes applying a bioelectric signal of from about 10 Hz to about 100 Hz (e.g., 5 Hz, 10 Hz, 40 Hz, 100 Hz, or 110 Hz) to the cell (e.g., directly, indirectly, or wirelessly). Applications in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, depression, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder are also disclosed.

Modulation of the neural activity of a nerve adjacent to the left gastro epiploic artery (LGEA) and/or a nerve adjacent to a short gastric artery (SGA) can modulate the neural activity of the sympathetic nerves that impact splenic function. This is useful for reducing inflammation and providing ways of treating inflammatory disorders.

A method for inducing a hibernation-like state and a device for the same is described. The method is a chemical and physical method for reducing, in a subject, a theoretical set-point temperature of a body temperature and/or a feedback gain of heat production, or for inducing a hibernation-like state in the subject, the method including applying an excitatory stimulus to pyroglutamylated RFamide peptide (QRFP)-producing neurons. A device used to implement the method is also described.

A transition microelectrode (108) can include a micro well array (104) having a plurality of microwells. The transition microelectrode (108) can further include a plurality of neuronal soma oriented within the plurality of microwells. A bioerodible probe guide (106) can be oriented over the microwell array (104). An electrode (103) can be electrically connected with the plurality of microwells. A transition microelectrode array (116) can include an electrode array having a plurality of the transition microelectrodes (108).