(+)-trans-4-(1-aminoethyl)-1-(4-pyridycarbamoyl)-cyclohexane and method for promoting neural growth in the central nervous system and in a patient at a site of neuronal lesion

Abstract

The invention relates to an antagonist of one or more of Rho family members having ability to elicit neurite outgrowth from cultured neurons in an assay method which includes culturing neurons on a substrate that incorporates a growth-inhibiting amount of Rho family member and exposing the cultured neurons to a candidate Rho family member antagonist agent to permit neuron growth. Candidates which elicit neurite outgrowth from the cultured neurons are thus identified as Rho family antagonists.

1 . An antagonist of one or more of Rho family members characterized by the ability to elicit neurite outgrowth from cultured neurons in an assay method, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) culturing neurons on a growth permissive substrate that incorporates a growth-inhibiting amount of Rho family member; and    (b) exposing the cultured neurons of step (a) to a candidate Rho family member antagonist agent in an amount and for a period sufficient prospectively to permit growth of the neurons;    thereby identifying as Rho family antagonists the candidates of step (b) which elicit neurite outgrowth from the cultured neurons of step (a).