METHOD OF TREATING OR PREVENTING DEPRESSION

• US 20080004565A1
• Filed: 06/20/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pthera,Llc
• Original Assignee: Luis H. De Taboada
• Inventors: Taboada, Luis, Streeter, Jackson
• Application Number:
  US11/766,037
• Publication Number:
  US 20080004565A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/007 for cooling the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0647 the applicator adapted to be worn on the head
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0659 infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0613 Apparatus adapted for a specific treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0617 Hair treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0622 Optical stimulation for exciting neural tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/067 using laser light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092

Abstract

A method of treating or preventing depression is provided. The method includes non-invasively irradiating at least a portion of a patient'"'"'s brain with electromagnetic radiation having a power density between 0.01 mW/cm² and 100 mW/cm² at a depth of approximately 2 centimeters below the dura.

Claims

1. A method of treating or preventing depression, the method comprising:

non-invasively irradiating at least a portion of a patient'"'"'s brain with electromagnetic radiation having a power density between 0.01 mW/cm² and 100 mW/cm² at a depth of approximately 2 centimeters below the dura.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the power density and a wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation are sufficient to cause a neurotrophic effect and/or regulation of neurotransmitters.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein non-invasively irradiating causes a diminishment or elimination of depression and its symptoms.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation has a power density of at least about 0.1 mW/cm² at a depth of approximately 2 centimeters below the dura.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation has a power density of at least about 10 mW/cm² at a depth of approximately 2 centimeters below the dura.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation has a wavelength between about 630 nanometers and about 1064 nanometers.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation has a wavelength between about 780 nanometers and about 840 nanometers.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation has a power density between about 10 mW/cm² and about 10 W/cm² at the surface of the scalp.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering the electromagnetic radiation for at least one treatment period of at least about ten minutes.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering the electromagnetic radiation for at least one treatment period for at least about five minutes.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is pulsed during the treatment period.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is continuous during the treatment period.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is delivered in five or more treatment periods occurring over the course of at least one week.

14. A method of treating or preventing depression, the method comprising:

causing a neurotrophic effect and/or regulation of neurotransmitters by non-invasively irradiating at least a portion of a patient'"'"'s brain with electromagnetic radiation during at least one treatment period, the electromagnetic radiation having a power density between 0.01 mW/cm² and 100 mW/cm² at a depth of approximately 2 centimeters below the dura.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the electromagnetic radiation has a wavelength between about 630 nanometers and about 1064 nanometers.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein non-invasively irradiating is performed for five or more treatment periods occurring over the course of at least one week, each treatment period having a duration of at least about five minutes.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is pulsed during the at least one treatment period.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is continuously applied during the at least one treatment period.

19. A method of treating or preventing depression, the method comprising:

irradiating at least a portion of a patient'"'"'s brain with electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the scalp, the electromagnetic radiation having a power density between 0.01 mW/cm² and 100 mW/cm² at a depth of approximately 2 centimeters below the dura.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the scalp is cooled while irradiating at least the portion of the patient'"'"'s brain.