Methods, apparatuses and systems for diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders

Abstract

A method and apparatus for diagnosing and/or treating mood disorders, such as depression, is provided. Right vestibular function in subjects diagnosed with a mood disorder is diminished compared with subjects who do not have a mood disorder. Accordingly, a method and apparatus for determining right vestibular function in a subject is provided, from which a diagnosis of a mood disorder may be determined. Stimulation of the vestibular system of a subject diagnosed with a mood disorder may reduce symptoms of the mood disorder in the subject. A method and apparatus for registering a subject's response to stimulation of the vestibular system and providing therapeutic vestibular stimulation based on the subject's response is provided. A subject's response to stimulation of the vestibular system may be based on measurements of nystagmus in the subject.

Description

[0001] Related application [0002] This application claims the rights and interests of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 604,185 filed on February 28, 2012 in accordance with 35USC§119(e). The disclosure of this application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background technique [0003] At any given time, about 10% of the general population has emotional disorders, also known as affective disorders. Depression, as the most common mood disorder, is characterized by symptoms such as feeling sad or empty, decreased interest in previously favorite activities, sleep disturbance, lack of energy and / or suicidal thoughts or willingness (Diagnosis and Statistical Manual) (DSM), 4th edition, 1994). [0004] It is estimated that in the United States, about 20% of individuals have a mood disorder at one time, and about 16% have a major depressive disorder at one time (Kessler et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry, 2005; 62 : 593-602). In the United States, about 3% to 4% of indivi...

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