A treatment method using a novel combination of non-invasive near infrared light (NIR)/laser therapy and the pharmacological agent ketamine, to more efficaciously upregulate neurotrophins and improve mitochondrial function. The NIR therapy is characterized by wavelengths of 200-2000 nm at surface wattage of 0.01-50.00 watts delivered by stationary emitters. The method can employ active circular motion techniques which involve moving the infrared light applicator manually, and/or by computer-controlled apparatus, conducted in conjunction with ketamine pharmacological therapy. In addition, a novel method of targeting NIR treatment of and characterizing central nervous system disorders using SPECT functional neuroimaging followed by quantitative analysis and a novel method of targeting NIR treatment of and characterizing spinal cord or nerve-related disorders using neurophysiological testing followed by quantitative analysis. Also, a novel method of using serial SPECT neuroimaging with quantitative analysis or using serial neurophysiological testing followed by quantitative analysis to elucidate changes in response to treatment.
