# US 12,697,460 B2 · Method for treatment of depression using synaptic pathway training

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- Number: US 12,697,460 B2
- Document ID: US12697460B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/346,605
- Filed: 2023-07-03
- Published: 2023-11-02
- Granted: 2026-08-04
- Earliest claimed: 2016-10-18
- Applicants: Joseph Rustick
- Inventors: Joseph Rustick
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12697460B2

## CPC

- A61M 21/00: Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
- A61B 5/165: {Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety}
- A61B 5/4064: {Evaluating the brain (for intracranial pressure A61B5/031; for cerebral blood gases A61B5/14553; using EEG A61B5/369)}
- A61K 31/135: having aromatic rings {, e.g. ketamine, nortriptyline (methadone A61K31/137)}
- A61K 31/46: 8-Azabicyclo [3.2.1] octane; Derivatives thereof, e.g. atropine, cocaine
- A61K 31/675: having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. pyridoxal phosphate
- A61N 1/36025: {for treating a mental or cerebral condition}
- A61P 25/18: Antipsychotics, i.e. neuroleptics; Drugs for mania or schizophrenia
- A61P 25/24: Antidepressants
- A61P 25/32: Alcohol-abuse
- A61M 21/02: for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia (for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021)
- A61M 2021/0022: {by the tactile sense, e.g. vibrations}
- A61M 2021/0027: {by the hearing sense}
- A61M 2021/0044: {by the sight sense}
- A61M 2021/0055: {with electric or electro-magnetic fields}
- A61M 2021/0072: {with application of electrical currents}
- A61M 2021/0077: {with application of chemical or pharmacological stimulus}
- A61M 2210/0693: Brain, cerebrum
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D)
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- A61P: SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS

## Abstract

Disclosed are methods of treating depression, mania, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and various other neurologic conditions using synaptic pathway training. Methods of synaptic pathway training include, generally, achieving a favorable treatment result by activating a synaptic pathway using a pharmacologic agent, such as treating refractory symptoms of depression with ketamine, following by potentiation of the favorable result by repeatedly stimulating the activated pathway. Stimulation of a synaptic pathway may be achieved by intrinsic means, such as performance of cognitive exercised, or extrinsic means, such as by delivery of a sensory stimulus to the patient, placing a potential voltage difference across the brain or a brain region, or by placing the brain or a brain region in a magnetic field.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of treating a patient having a neurologic condition by synaptic pathway training comprising steps:
altering synaptic pathways within an area of the patient's brain with a pharmacologic agent hallucinogenic administered intravenously in a dosage of at least 0.5 mg per kilogram of the patient's weight adjusted to a greater dosage amount as needed based on the patient to obtain a temporary dissociative effect, wherein the hallucinogenic pharmacologic agent is selected based on its effectiveness in increasing hippocampal volume, synaptic pathways, and synaptic density in the hippocampus, wherein altering synaptic pathways comprises increasing hippocampal volume, increasing and activating synaptic pathways, and increasing synaptic density within a hippocampus of the patient's brain;
stimulating the altered synaptic pathways with cognitive stimulation exercises, wherein the cognitive stimulation exercises are selected based on their efficacy in maintaining the increased hippocampal volume, synaptic pathways, and synaptic density and wherein the cognitive stimulation exercises are initiated within 48 hours after administering the pharmacologic agent; and
extending a treatment result by repeatedly stimulating the altered synaptic pathway with a daily cognitive exercise, selected from the cognitive stimulation exercises, for a minimum of thirty minutes, wherein the daily cognitive exercise comprises engagement with software based cognitive programs designed to increase attention, memory, problem solving, and focus to maintain the increased hippocampal volume, increased synaptic pathways, and increased synaptic density within a hippocampus.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein prior to the stimulating step there is a selecting step wherein the non-pharmacological treatment is chosen based upon its efficacy in maintaining said synaptic pathways and volume.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein prior to the altering step there is a step of choosing the pharmacological agent based upon the agent's effectiveness in increasing synaptic pathways and synaptic volume in an area of the brain associated with the neurological condition.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, including interviewing the patient to determine whether the dosage was sufficient to increase synaptic pathways and synaptic volume.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, including administering an increased dosage when it is determined the initial dosage was insufficient.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the neurologic condition is depression.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the neurologic condition is bipolar disorder.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the neurologic condition is post-traumatic stress disorder.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the neurological condition is alcoholism.