LOW LEVEL LIGHT THERAPY FOR ENHANCEMENT OF NEUROLOGIC FUNCTION OF A PATIENT AFFECTED BY PARKINSON'S DISEASE

• US 20080125836A1
• Filed: 08/23/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Photothera IP Holdings, Inc., Pthera,Llc
• Original Assignee: Photothera IP Holdings, Inc.
• Inventors: Streeter, Jackson, Taboada, Luis De
• Granted Patent: US 8,308,784 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/89
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/063 comprising light transmitting means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0645 Applicators worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0659 infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0618 Psychological treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/067 using laser light

Abstract

A method of treating a patient having neurologic function affected by Parkinson'"'"'s disease is provided. The method includes providing a patient having neurologic function affected by Parkinson'"'"'s disease. The method further includes delivering electromagnetic radiation noninvasively through the scalp and the skull of the patient to at least one portion of the brain of the patient. The light energy has a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range, and the wavelength, power density, and amount of the light energy delivered to the at least one portion of the brain are sufficient to reduce the severity of symptoms of Parkinson'"'"'s disease in the patient.

Claims

1. A method of treating a patient having neurologic function affected by Parkinson'"'"'s disease, the method comprising:

providing a patient having neurologic function affected by Parkinson'"'"'s disease; and

delivering electromagnetic radiation noninvasively through the scalp and the skull of the patient to at least one portion of the brain of the patient, the light energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range, wherein the wavelength, power density, and amount of the light energy delivered to the at least one portion of the brain are sufficient to reduce the severity of symptoms of Parkinson'"'"'s disease in the patient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the electromagnetic radiation comprises:

identifying at least about 10 treatment sites on the patient'"'"'s scalp;

directing an electromagnetic radiation source to each of the treatment sites; and

propagating electromagnetic radiation from the source to each treatment site, the electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength within a range between about 800 nanometers and about 830 nanometers.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein identifying at least about 10 treatment sites comprises placing a support on the patient'"'"'s head, the support comprising indicia of locations of the treatment sites.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the indicia comprise openings in the support.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein propagating electromagnetic radiation comprises sequentially propagating electromagnetic radiation at each treatment site one at a time.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one portion of the brain comprises an area exhibiting neurodegeneration.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one portion of the brain comprises an area associated with a particular cognitive or motor function.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one portion of the brain comprises substantially the entire brain.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the power density is between 0.01 mW/cm² and 100 mW/cm² at a depth of approximately 2 centimeters below the dura.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the power density is at least 0.1 mW/cm² at a depth of approximately 2 centimeters below the dura.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the wavelength is between about 630 nanometers and about 1064 nanometers.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the electromagnetic radiation, when applied to members of an irradiated group of patients, produces at least a 2% average difference in a neurologic function scale between the irradiated group of patients and a group of patients having Parkinson'"'"'s disease and receiving a placebo.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the neurologic function scale is the Unified Parkinson'"'"'s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS).

14. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the electromagnetic radiation causes an improvement of mitochondrial function in irradiated neurons.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the electromagnetic radiation increases ATP production by irradiated neurons.

16. A method of treating or preventing Parkinson'"'"'s disease, the method comprising:

noninvasively 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.

17. A method of treating a patient, the method comprising delivering electromagnetic radiation noninvasively through the scalp and the skull to at least one portion of the brain of the patient, the light energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range, wherein the wavelength, power density, and amount of the light energy delivered to the at least one portion of the brain are sufficient to prevent, reduce the severity, or reduce the incidence of Parkinson'"'"'s disease in the patient.

18. A method of preventing Parkinson'"'"'s disease in a patient, the method comprising:

providing a patient having a predisposition towards contracting Parkinson'"'"'s disease; and

delivering electromagnetic radiation noninvasively through the scalp and the skull of the patient to at least one portion of the brain of the patient, the light energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range, wherein the wavelength, power density, and amount of the light energy delivered to the at least one portion of the brain are sufficient to reduce a probability of the patient contracting Parkinson'"'"'s disease.

19. A method of treating the central nervous system of a patient, the method comprising:

identifying a patient exhibiting symptoms of damage to the central nervous system due to Parkinson'"'"'s disease;

irradiating an in vitro culture comprising progenitor cells with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range and a power density of at least about 0.01 mW/cm²; and

implanting the irradiated cells into the central nervous system of the patient.