Treatments For Depression And Other Diseases With A Low Dose Agent

Abstract

The present invention relates to improved compositions and methods for the treatment or prevention of various diseases, including forms of depression, including, for example, breakthrough depression and treatment-refractory depression, and other mood disorders, as well Parkinson's disease, bipolar disorder, bipolar disorder, attention deficit disorder (ADHD), Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), and obesity. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods comprise low dose naltrexone or related opioid antagonists.

1 - 90 . (canceled) 
     
     
         91 . A method for treating breakthrough depression, comprising orally administering a therapeutically effective low dose amount of naltrexone to a patient in need thereof, wherein:
 the low dose amount of naltrexone is administered at a dose of about 1 mg once or twice daily for at least three weeks;   the patient is undergoing treatment with bupropion at a dose of about 300 mg; and   the low dose amount of naltrexone reverses a loss of efficacy of the bupropion treatment.   
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 91 , wherein the breakthrough depression comprises depressive relapse or recurrence. 
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 91 , wherein the treating comprises a reduction in length of a depressive episode. 
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 91 , wherein the treating comprises a recovery of an anti-depressive effect of the bupropion treatment. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 91 , wherein the treating comprises a reduction in the rate of relapse after major depressive episodes. 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 91 , wherein the treating comprises a reduction in an effective dosage of the patient's pre-existent anti-depression treatment. 
     
     
         97 . A method for treating breakthrough depression, comprising orally administering a therapeutically effective low dose amount of naltrexone to a patient in need thereof, wherein:
 the low dose amount of naltrexone is administered at a dose of about 1 mg once or twice daily for at least three weeks;   the patient is undergoing treatment with aripiprazole at a dose of 10 mg or less; and   the low dose amount of naltrexone reverses a loss of efficacy of the aripiprazole treatment.   
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the breakthrough depression comprises depressive relapse or recurrence. 
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the treating comprises a reduction in length of a depressive episode. 
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the treating comprises a recovery of an anti-depressive effect of the aripiprazole treatment. 
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the treating comprises a reduction in the rate of relapse after major depressive episodes. 
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the treating comprises a reduction in an effective dosage of the patient's pre-existent anti-depression treatment.