Treatment of Depression and PTSD

Abstract

Depression and PTSD are treated by administration of hCG, or an hCG analog, or a prodrug or metabolite of hCG or an hCG analog, in an amount equivalent to a subcutaneous dose of 50-200 IU, preferably 120-170 IU, more preferably 140-160 IU, of hCG per day.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of treating at least one of depression and post traumatic stress disorder in a person suffering therefrom, comprising administering a compound that is hCG, or an hCG analog, or a prodrug or metabolite of hCG or an hCG analog, to the person, in an amount equivalent to a subcutaneous dose of 50-200 IU of hCG per day. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  for treating depression. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  for treating post traumatic stress disorder. 
     
     
         4 . The method of any one of  claims 1  to  3  where the amount of the compound that is administered is equivalent to a subcutaneous dose of 120-170 IU of hCG per day. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  where the amount of the compound that is administered is equivalent to a subcutaneous dose of 140-160 IU of hCG per day. 
     
     
         6 . The method of any one of the previous claims where the compound that is administered is hCG. 
     
     
         7 . The method of any one of the previous claims where the compound is administered subcutaneously. 
     
     
         8 . The method of any one of the previous claims where the compound is administered once/day. 
     
     
         9 . The method of any one of the previous claims where the compound is administered for at least 1 week. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  where the compound is administered for at least 3 weeks. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  where the compound is administered for at least 6 weeks. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  where the compound is administered chronically. 
     
     
         13 . The method of any one of  claims 1  to  12 , where the compound is administered in a composition comprising it. 
     
     
         14 . The use of a compound that is hCG, or an hCG analog, or a prodrug or metabolite of hCG or an hCG analog, in an amount equivalent to a subcutaneous dose of 50-200 IU, preferably 120-170 IU, more preferably 140-160 IU, of hCG per day, or a composition comprising such compound, for the treatment of at least one of depression and post traumatic stress disorder. 
     
     
         15 . A kit containing a compound that is hCG, or an hCG analog, or a prodrug or metabolite of hCG or an hCG analog, or a composition containing such compound, with instructions to administer the compound or composition in an amount equivalent to a subcutaneous dose of 50-200 IU, preferably 120-170 IU, more preferably 140-160 IU, of hCG per day for the treatment of at least one of depression and post traumatic stress disorder. 
     
     
         16 . A method of prescribing or supplying to a person suffering from a condition that is at least one of depression and post traumatic stress disorder a treatment for that condition that comprises administering a compound that is hCG, or an hCG analog, or a prodrug or metabolite of hCG or an hCG analog, or a composition containing such compound, to the person, in an amount equivalent to a subcutaneous dose of 50-200 IU, preferably 120-170 IU, more preferably 140-160 IU, of hCG per day. 
     
     
         17 . A method of treating at least one of depression and post traumatic stress disorder in a person suffering therefrom, comprising activating the central nervous system LH/hCG receptor. 
     
     
         18 . A method of treating at least one of depression and post traumatic stress disorder in a person suffering therefrom, comprising modulating the central sensitization pathway.