Method and apparatus for disrupting a gastric vagal nerve in the
gastroesophageal region and testing the function and disruption of the
vagal nerve. In one example embodiment, a treatment device applies
ultrasound at a high energy level, such as high intensity focused
ultrasound, to a vagal nerve to disrupt it and then ultrasound at a lower
energy level to another portion of the vagal nerve, preferably further
from the stomach, so as to stimulate the vagal nerve. Alternative ways to
test the function or disruption of the vagal nerve involve using
PCP-GABA, a pancreatic polypeptide, pressure changes inside the stomach,
the gastric mucusol pH, a dye agent in the stomach, and other tests.