Device and method for altering neurotransmitter level in brain

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device and a method for non-invasively applying optical radiation to photosensitive parts of the brain. In particular the present invention is directed to a device for non-invasive/trans-cranial light therapy comprising one or more radiation units adapted to direct optical radiation at one or more neuroanatomical brain structures of a user from at least one extra-cranial position below the cerebrum of the user, said device applied for use in altering and/or controlling the production, release, re-uptake and/or metabolism of dopamine or serotonin in at least one of said one or more neuroanatomical brain structures and/or in the body of the user.

1 . A device for non-invasive/trans-cranial light therapy comprising at least one radiation unit adapted to direct optical radiation toward at least one neuroanatomical brain structure of a user from at least one extra-cranial position below the cerebrum of the user, said device applied for use in at least one of altering and controlling at least one of the production, release, re-uptake, and metabolism of serotonin in at least one of said at least one neuroanatomical brain structure and in the body of the user. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one extra-cranial position is non-ocular. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one extra-cranial position is the auditory canal. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a housing in at least one of optical and electrical connection with said at least one radiation unit and with at least one light source, such as an LED, for generating the optical radiation. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for adapting at least one of the intensity, the radiant flux, the luminous flux, and the spectral power of the optical radiation emitted from said at least one radiation unit. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for adapting the spectral composition of the optical radiation emitted from said at least one radiation unit. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation emitted from a radiation unit is applied with a predefined spectral composition. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation emitted from a radiation unit is applied with at least one of duration, intensity, total power, radiant flux, luminous flux, spectral power output, and spectral composition being predefined for a plurality of predefined wavelength intervals. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation emitted from a radiation unit is applied with a predefined ratio of:
 a first spectral output integrated over a first wavelength interval, and   a second spectral output integrated over a second wavelength interval.   
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation emitted from a radiation unit is applied with a predefined ratio of:
 a first spectral output integrated over a first wavelength interval,   a second spectral output integrated over a second wavelength interval, and   a third spectral output integrated over a third wavelength interval.   
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation is generated by a plurality of light sources with different spectral characteristics. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the spectral composition of the optical radiation is adapted to the absorption spectrum of one or more light sensitive opsins present in at least one of said neuro-anatomical structures. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation comprises light with a predefined ratio of:
 a first spectral output in a first wavelength interval, and   a second spectral output in a second wavelength interval.   
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein said predefined ratio is between 0.1 and 1, such as between 0.1 and 0.15, such as between 0.15 and 0.2, such as between 0.2 and 0.25, such as between 0.25 and 0.3, such as between 0.3 and 0.35, such as between 0.35 and 0.4, such as between 0.4 and 0.45, such as between 0.45 and 0.5, such as between 0.5 and 0.35, such as between 0.55 and 0.6, such as between 0.6 and 0.65, such as between 0.65 and 0.7, such as between 0.7 and 0.75, such as between 0.75 and 0.8, such as between 0.8 and 0.85, such as between 0.85 and 0.9, such as between 0.9 and 0.95, such as between 0.95 and 1. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation is bright light applied at each extra-cranial position with a luminous flux of at least 5 lumens. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation is bright light applied at each extra-cranial position with a luminous flux of at least one of:
 between 0.1 and 12 lumens,   between 0.1 and 1 lumens,   between 1 and 2 lumens,   between 2 and 3 lumens,   between 3 and 4 lumens,   between 4 and 5 lumens,   between 5 and 6 lumens,   between 6 and 7 lumens,   between 7 and 8 lumens,   between 8 and 9 lumens,   between 9 and 10 lumens,   between 10 and 11 lumens, and   between 11 and 12 lumens.   
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation is applied with a duration of between 6 and 13 minutes. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation is applied with a duration of at least one of:
 between 1 and 15 minutes,   between 1 and 2 minutes,   between 2 and 3 minutes,   between 3 and 4 minutes,   between 4 and 5 minutes,   between 5 and 6 minutes,   between 6 and 7 minutes,   between 7 and 8 minutes,   between 8 and 9 minutes,   between 9 and 10 minutes,   between 10 and 11 minutes,   between 11 and 12 minutes,   between 12 and 13 minutes,   between 13 and 14 minutes, and   between 14 and 15 minutes.   
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one radiation unit is adapted to be arranged such that at least part of said optical radiation is guided trans-cranially through at least one cranial bone including at least one of a temporal bone, a squama temporalis of the temporal bone, a mastoid portion of the temporal bone, a petrous portion of the temporal bone, a tympanic part of the temporal bone, a zygomatic bone, a sphenoid bone, a frontal bone, and a parietal bone. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one neuro-anatomical brain structures is selected from the group consisting of substantia nigra, locus coeruleus, globus pallidus, and striatum. 
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 1 , is for use in treatment of at least one of anxiety, depression, delirium, Alzheimer's disease, ADHD, infertility, migraine, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), cancer, obesity, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, jet lag, shift work disorder, Parkinson's disease, burning mouth syndrome, fibromyalgia, restless legs syndrome, social anxiety, hypertension (HTN), cognitive impairment, migraine, headache, social phobia, Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), chronic pain, and decreased cognitive performance. 
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation is bright light applied at each extra-cranial position with a luminous flux of between 3 and 9 lumens. 
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation is bright light applied at each extra-cranial position with a luminous flux of between 0 and 3.5 lumens. 
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation is bright light applied at each extra-cranial position with a luminous flux of between 3 and 6 lumens. 
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation is bright light applied at each extra-cranial position with a luminous flux of between 4 and 6 lumens for between 8 and 12 minutes. 
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation is bright light with a luminous flux of between 3 and 6 lumens applied by insertion of at least one radiation means directly into an auditory canal. 
     
     
         27 . A method of non-invasive/trans-cranial light therapy comprising the steps of:
 providing at least one radiation unit;   producing optical radiation with the at least one radiation unit;   directing the optical radiation toward at least one neuroanatomical brain structure of a user from at least one extra-cranial position below the cerebrum of the user; and   with the radiation unit, at least one of altering and controlling at least one of the production, release, re-uptake, and metabolism of serotonin in at least one of said at least one neuroanatomical brain structure and in the body of the user.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the step of directing the optical radiation toward at least one neuroanatomical brain structure of a user includes the step of placing at least a portion of the radiation unit directly into an auditory canal of the user. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the step of directing the optical radiation toward at least one neuroanatomical brain structure of a user includes the step of adapting the spectral composition of the optical radiation to the absorption spectrum of one or more light sensitive opsins present in at least one of said neuro-anatomical structures. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the step of directing the optical radiation toward at least one neuroanatomical brain structure of a user includes the step of directing bright light with a luminous flux of between 3 and 9 lumens toward at least one neuroanatomical brain structure of a user for a duration of between 6 and 13 minutes.