Botulinum toxin treatments of Depression

• US 20110200639A1
• Filed: 03/22/2011
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Allergan Incorporated (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Allergan Incorporated (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Blumenfeld, Andrew M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,617,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/239.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/4893 Botulinum neurotoxin (3.4.24.69)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0019 Injectable compositions; Intramuscular, intravenous, arterial, subcutaneous administration; Compositions to be administered through the skin in an invasive manner non-active ingredients are additionally classified in A61K47/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/24 Antidepressants

Abstract

Methods for preventing or treating depression including a depression mediated by the thalamus. Depression, including a thalamically mediated depression, can be treated by peripheral administration of a botulinum toxin to or to the vicinity of a trigeminal sensory nerve, thereby preventing or treating the depression.

Claims

1. A method for treating depression comprising locally administering a botulinum toxin to a trigeminal nerve of a human patient with depression, wherein administration of the botulinum toxin reduces a kindling effect upon generation of depression by decreasing peripheral sensory afferent stimulation of the central nervous system, thereby decreasing the depression.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the botulinum toxin is botulinum toxin type A.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the botulinum toxin is botulinum toxin type B.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method of local administration is injection.

5. A method for treating depression comprising locally administering to a human patient a botulinum toxin subdermally, non-intramuscularly in a therapeutically effective amount to a trigeminal sensory nerve or to the vicinity of a trigeminal sensory nerve of the patient with depression wherein administration of the botulinum toxin reduces a kindling effect upon generation of depression by decreasing peripheral sensory afferent stimulation of the central nervous system, thereby treating the depression by reducing the occurrence of a symptom of the depression.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the botulinum toxin is botulinum toxin type A.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the botulinum toxin is botulinum toxin type B.