Botulinum toxin treatments of depression

• US 8,617,572 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2011
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allergan Incorporated (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Allergan Incorporated (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Blumenfeld, Andrew M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Emch, Gregory S
• Application Number:
  US13/053,583
• Publication Number:
  US 20110200639A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 424/247.1
• 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 directly administering a botulinum toxin to a trigeminal nerve of a human patient with depression, 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 a therapeutically effective amount of a botulinum toxin subdermally, non-intramuscularly to a trigeminal sensory nerve of a human patient with depression, 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.