Methods for treatment of cognitive and menopausal disorders with D-threo methylphenidate

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to methods for treating fatigue, neurobehavioral slowing and other cognitive disorders and defects due to cancers and treatments associated with cancers, and similar conditions. In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to methods for treating disorders related to menopause, including executive function defects. The methods involve the administration of a composition comprising D -threo methylphenidate that is substantially free of L -threo methylphenidate and of erythro forms of methylphenidate.

1 - 46 . (canceled)  
     
     
         47 . A method of alleviating a cognitive side effect due to cancer or a treatment for cancer comprising: 
 identifying a patient suffering from said side effect, and    administrating a therapeutically effective amount of D-threo methylphenidate to said patient in a pulsatile release dosage form.    
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47  wherein said D-threo methylphenidate is in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 47  wherein said cancer is a solid tumor or nonsolid tumor.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49  wherein said cancer is a solid tumor.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 47  wherein said treatment comprises chemotherapy or radiation therapy.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 47  wherein said dosage form comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52  wherein said carrier is a tablet or a capsule.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 47  wherein said administration is by oral dosage form.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 47  wherein said side effect comprises sedation, neurobehavioral slowing, decreased cognitive function, depression, apathy, decreased libido, or depersonalization.  
     
     
         56 . A method of alleviating a cognitive side effect due to cancer or a treatment for cancer comprising: 
 identifying a patient suffering from said side effect, and    administrating a therapeutically effective amount of D-threo methylphenidate to said patient in a chronic, bolus dosage form.    
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56  wherein said D-threo methylphenidate is in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 56  wherein said cancer is a solid tumor or nonsolid tumor.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58  wherein said cancer is a solid tumor.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 56  wherein said treatment comprises chemotherapy or radiation therapy.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 56  wherein said dosage form comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61  wherein said carrier is a solution, suspension, tablet, capsule, ointment, elixir, or injectable composition.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 56  wherein said administration is by oral dosage form, injection, or infusion.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 56  wherein said side effect comprises sedation, neurobehavioral slowing, decreased cognitive function, depression, apathy, decreased libido, or depersonalization.  
     
     
         65 . A method of alleviating a cognitive side effect due to cancer or a treatment for cancer comprising: 
 identifying a patient suffering from said side effect, and    administrating a therapeutically effective amount of D-threo methylphenidate to said patient in a time release dosage form.    
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65  wherein said D-threo methylphenidate is in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 65  wherein said cancer is a solid tumor or nonsolid tumor.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67  wherein said cancer is a solid tumor.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 65  wherein said treatment comprises chemotherapy or radiation therapy.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 65  wherein said dosage form comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70  wherein said carrier is a solution, suspension, tablet, or a capsule.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 65  wherein said administration is by oral dosage form, injection, or infusion.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 65  wherein said side effect comprises sedation, neurobehavioral slowing, decreased cognitive function, depression, apathy, decreased libido, or depersonalization.  
     
     
         74 . A method of alleviating a cognitive side effect of chemotherapy comprising: 
 identifying a patient suffering from said side effect, and    administrating a therapeutically effective amount of D-threo methylphenidate following the end of at least one cycle of chemotherapy.    
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 74  wherein said D-threo methylphenidate is in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 74  wherein said administration is by oral dosage form, injection, infusion, or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76  wherein said carrier is a solution, suspension, tablet, capsule, ointment, elixir, or injectable composition.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 74  wherein said side effect comprises sedation, neurobehavioral slowing, decreased cognitive function, depression, apathy, decreased libido or depersonalization.