Treatment of Thalamocortical Dysrhythmia

Abstract

A method for treating conditions associated with thalamocortical dysrhythmia. The method includes applying transcranial low voltage electrical stimulation (TLVES) therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy to a patient in need thereof, and administering to the patient a dissociative anesthetic during the TLVES therapy or the TMS therapy. A number of conditions including tinnitus, depression and pain can be treated with TLVES or TMS in combination with the dissociative anesthetic, such as an NMADR inhibitor, including ketamine.

1 . A method for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the method comprising in combination,
 administering intravenously, intramuscularly, orally, intranasally or by inhalation an N-methyl d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist to a patient suffering from PTSD;   applying, external to the skull, transcranial low voltage electric stimulation (TLVES) therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy to the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the TLVES or TMS is further applied before or after the administration of the NMDAR antagonist. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the NMDAR antagonist is ketamine, d-cycloserine, or dextromethorphan. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein ketamine is administered at a dose of about 50 mg to about 500 mg. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein ketamine is administered at a dose of about 0.5 mg/kg to about 5.0 mg/kg. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the NMDAR antagonist is infused over a time period of between about 30 and 60 minutes. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the TMS therapy comprises comprising 1-4 mAmps applied across brain tissue. 
     
     
         8 . A method for treating suicidality, the method comprising in combination, administering intravenously, intramuscularly, orally, intranasally or by inhalation an N-methyl d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist to a patient suffering from suicidality;
 applying, external to the skull, transcranial low voltage electric stimulation (TLVES) therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy to the patient.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the TLVES or TMS is further applied before or after the administration of the NMDAR antagonist. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the NMDAR antagonist is ketamine, d-cycloserine, or dextromethorphan. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein ketamine is administered at a dose of about 50 mg to about 500 mg. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein ketamine is administered at a dose of about 0.5 mg/kg to about 5.0 mg/kg. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the NMDAR antagonist is infused over a time period of between about 30 and 60 minutes. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the TMS therapy comprises comprising 1-4 mAmps applied across brain tissue. 
     
     
         15 . A method for treating generalized anxiety, the method comprising in combination, administering intravenously, intramuscularly, orally, intranasally or by inhalation an N-methyl d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist to a patient suffering from generalized anxiety;
 applying, external to the skull, transcranial low voltage electric stimulation (TLVES) therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy to the patient.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the generalized anxiety includes panic attacks. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the TLVES or TMS is further applied before or after the administration of the NMDAR antagonist. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the NMDAR antagonist is ketamine, d-cycloserine, or dextromethorphan. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein ketamine is administered at a dose of about 50 mg to about 500 mg. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein ketamine is administered at a dose of about 0.5 mg/kg to about 5.0 mg/kg. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the NMDAR antagonist is infused over a time period of between about 30 and 60 minutes. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the TMS therapy comprises comprising 1-4 mAmps applied across brain tissue.