Method of treating or preventing depression

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/cm 2 and 100 mW/cm 2 at a depth of approximately 2 centimeters below the dura.

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/cm 2  and 100 mW/cm 2  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/cm 2  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/cm 2  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/cm 2  and about 10 W/cm 2  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/cm 2  and 100 mW/cm 2  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/cm 2  and 100 mW/cm 2  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.