Methods for Treating Psychiatric Disorders Using Light Energy

Abstract

Methods for treating psychiatric disorders using light energy are disclosed herein. A method for treating psychiatric disorders using light energy includes determining which hemisphere of the brain requires treatment using lateral visual field stimulation (LVFS) and applying light energy to the hemisphere of the brain to treat the psychiatric disorder other than depression. In an embodiment, light energy may include near infrared light (NIR). The methods of the present disclosure may be used to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders. In an embodiment, the methods may be used to treat a psychiatric disorder co-morbid with depression.

1 . A method for treating a psychiatric disorder in a patient comprising:
 measuring a left hemispheric emotional valence and a right hemispheric emotional valence for a left hemisphere and a right hemisphere of a brain using a lateral visual field stimulation test;   determining which hemisphere of the brain of the patient requires treatment; and   applying light energy to the hemisphere of the brain to treat the psychiatric disorder other than depression.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the psychiatric disorder includes one of attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse disorders, alcoholism, opiate dependence, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, phobias, Asperser's syndrome, dissociative disorders, insomnia, borderline personality disorder, persistent anxiety, anxiety attacks, feelings of panic, fears of social contacts, nightmares, flashbacks, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behavior, attention disorder, sexual problem, irrational thinking or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment causes a reduction or elimination of the psychiatric disorder. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light energy is applied to one of the hemisphere of the brain with a positive PANAS score, the hemisphere of the brain with a negative PANAS score, both the hemisphere of the brain with a positive PANAS score and the hemisphere of the brain with a negative PANAS score, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light energy is near infrared light. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light energy has a wavelength of about 810 nanometers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light energy has a power density about 250 mW/cm 2 . 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light energy is applied at a distance of about 4 mm from the skin. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising delivering the light energy for at least one treatment period of at least about four minutes to a treated area. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising pulsing the light energy during a treatment period. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying light energy continuously during a treatment period. 
     
     
         12 . A method for treating a psychiatric disorder in a patient:
 measuring a left hemispheric emotional valence for a left hemisphere of a brain and a right hemispheric emotional valence for a right hemisphere of the brain using a lateral visual field stimulation test;   determining the hemisphere of the brain in need of treatment; and   applying light energy to the hemisphere of the brain to treat the psychiatric disorder co-morbid with depression.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the psychiatric disorder includes one of attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse disorders, alcoholism, opiate dependence, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, phobias, Asperser's syndrome, dissociative disorders, insomnia, borderline personality disorder, persistent anxiety, anxiety attacks, feelings of panic, fears of social contacts, nightmares, flashbacks, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behavior, attention disorder, sexual problem, irrational thinking or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the treatment causes a reduction or elimination of the psychiatric disorder. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the light energy has a wavelength of about 300 nanometers to a wavelength of about 1500 nanometers. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the light energy has a power density of up to about 320 mW/cm 2 . 
     
     
         17 . A method for treating a patient comprising:
 determining which portion of the brain needs treatment; and   applying light energy to the portion of the brain to treat the patient.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the patient is being treated for depression. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the treatment causes an improvement in the well-being of the patient. 
     
     
         20 . A method for treating a psychiatric disorder in a patient comprising applying light energy to a brain to treat the psychiatric disorder. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the psychiatric disorder includes one of depression, attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse disorders, alcoholism, opiate dependence, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, phobias, Asperser's syndrome, dissociative disorders, insomnia, borderline personality disorder, persistent anxiety, anxiety attacks, feelings of panic, fears of social contacts, nightmares, flashbacks, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behavior, attention disorder, sexual problem, irrational thinking or combinations thereof.