Agents, compositions and methods for enhancing neurological function

Abstract

Neuro-enhancing agents, compositions and methods are disclosed herein. Preferred neuro-enhancing agents of the present invention include progesterone and metabolites of progesterone, such as 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (THP). These agents yield neuro-enhancing effects on neural cells that include neural progenitor and / or stem cells, whereby the agents stimulate mitosis of neural progenitor cells, stimulate neurite growth and organization, protect against neural loss, or one or more of these neural processes. Thus, the neuro-enhancing agents, compositions and methods disclosed herein are useful to reverse or prevent neurological disease or defects associated with neural loss or degeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease, neurological injuries, including injuries resulting from radiation therapy, and age-related neurological decline, including impairments in memory and learning.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 12 / 526,604 entitled “Allopregnanolone in a Method for Enhancing Neurological Functions”, filed on Aug. 10, 2009, which is a 371 of International Application No. PCT / US2008 / 066558, filed on Jun. 11, 2008, which claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 943,187, filed on Jun. 11, 2007. This application also claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 61 / 150,159 entitled “Agents, Compositions and Methods for Enhancing Neurological Function” by Roberta Diaz Brinton and Jun Ming Wang, filed on Feb. 5, 2009.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention is in the field of pharmaceutical compositions for enhancing neurological function and methods of use thereof, particularly compositions containing allopregnanolone or a derivative or analogue thereof.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The mammalian nervous system includes a peripheral nervous system (PNS) and a central nervous system (CNS), including the bra...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The compositions can be administered in a single dose or multiple doses. The compositions can be administered on a daily basis or less frequently, for example, every other day, once a week, once a month, etc. The effective administration periods depend on the particular neurological disease or defect being targeted. Generally effective administration periods are about one month or longer, but can be about six months to about one year or longer. In a preferred embodiment, 10 mg / kg of allopregnanolone is administered once per week. This dosing regimen maximizes neurogenesis and minimizes pathology burden. FIG. 1 shows the optimal allopregnanolone therapeutic regimen. The compositions are typically administered for an extended period of time, for example, at least about 10 weeks, preferably at least about 30 weeks, more preferably at least about 60 weeks, even more preferably at least about 72 weeks, and most preferably as long as the patient is receiving noticeable benefit from the treatment method. In one embodiment, the composition is administered once a week for at least 6 months.

[0015]The compositions can also be administered to improve or restore neurological function by inducing or stimulating the generation of new neurons, protecting against neuronal loss, stimulating or inducing neurite outgrowth and organization or protecting against loss of neurites and neural networks, or combination thereof.

Problems solved by technology

Also, neuronal tissue may be lost as a result of physical insult or trauma.

The mechanisms and appropriate stimuli that promote the generation of new neurons, however, are largely unknown.

However, human fetal cell transplantation research is severely restricted.

To date, however, no satisfactory agents or treatment methods exists to repair, or counteract, the neuronal damage associated with neuropathies, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, neurological injury or neurological age-related decline or impairment.

Images