A method and apparatus for physiological modulation, including neural and
gastrointestinal modulation, for the purposes of treating several
disorders, including obesity, depression, epilepsy, and diabetes. The
method and apparatus includes chronically implanted neural and
neuromuscular modulators, used to modulate the afferent neurons of the
sympathetic nervous system to induce satiety. Furthermore, the method and
apparatus includes neuromuscular stimulation of the stomach to effect
baseline and intermittent smooth muscle contraction to increase gastric
intraluminal pressure, which induces satiety, and stimulates sympathetic
afferent fibers, including those in the sympathetic trunk, splanchnic
nerves, and greater curvature of the stomach, to augment the perception
of satiety.