ID: 221007 Bioelectronic Zeitgebers: Towards Neuromodulation Devices Synchronized to Biological Rhythms

Biological rhythms pervade physiology and pathophysiology across multiple timescales. Implantable bioelectronic systems that stimulate the nervous system have been shown as an effective adjunct therapy for medically refractory neurological disorders. However, due to limited sensing and algorithm capabilities of previous device generations, exploring the influence of biological rhythms on therapy efficacy has not been feasible. Devices to date have been limited to running fixed stimulation parameters without consideration of the impact of rhythms on therapy efficacy and therapy’s influence on rhythm-related symptoms and physiology. To maximize therapeutic benefits, bioelectronic devices should integrate chronobiology by considering time-related variations in disease symptoms and how to optimally alter therapy output. The aim is to both account for time-based symptom variance, and potentially promote, healthy biological rhythms, using the embedded clocks in bioelectronic systems to provide an additional exogenous “zeitgeber” (time giver).