The present invention teaches 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. This includes chronically implanted neural and
neuromuscular modulators, used to modulate the afferent neurons of the
sympathetic nervous system to induce satiety as well as to modulate the
efferent neurons of the sympathetic nervous system to modulate
metabolism, including metabolic rate. Furthermore, this includes
neuromuscular stimulation of the stomach to effect baseline and
intermittent smooth muscle contraction to increase gastric intraluminal
pressure, which induces satiety, and stimulate sympathetic afferent
fibers, including those in the sympathetic trunk, splanchnic nerves, and
greater curvature of the stomach, to augment the perception of satiety.