Neurotherapeutic compositions

Abstract

Novel neuroprotectant compositions and methods are described. (β-Lactamase inhibitors are used to prevent or reduce loss of neuronal cells and neuronal cell function in patients afflicted with or susceptible to disease states or conditions known to result in or cause neuronal tissue insult.

1 . A neurotherapeutic pharmaceutical composition in unit dosage form for treating a patient, said composition consisting essentially of a neuroprotective amount of a β-lactamase inhibitor and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor;
 where the neuroprotective amount is from about 1 μg/kg to about 5 mg/kg of average body weight of the patient.   
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the β-lactamase inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of clavulanic acid, sulbactam, tazobactam and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and active esters thereof. 
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the dosage form is for intraperitoneal administration and where the neuroprotective amount is from about 1 μg/kg to about 50 μg/kg of average body weight of the patient. 
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the dosage form is for parenteral administration and where the neuroprotective amount is from about 0.02 mg/kg to about 2.5 mg/kg of average body weight of the patient. 
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 4  wherein the dosage form is a prolonged release dosage form. 
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 5  wherein the β-lactamase inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of clavulanic acid, sulbactam, tazobactam and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and active esters thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the dosage form is for oral administration and where the neuroprotective amount is from about 0.1 mg/kg to about 5 mg/kg of average body weight of the patient. 
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 7  wherein the dosage form is a saliva soluble lozenge dosage form for buccal or sublingual administration. 
   
   
       9 . The composition of  claim 8  wherein the β-lactamase inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of clavulanic acid, sulbactam, tazobactam and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and active esters thereof. 
   
   
       10 . A neurotherapeutic pharmaceutical composition in unit dosage form for treating a patient, said composition consisting essentially of a neuroprotective amount of a β-lactamase inhibitor and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor;
 where said βlactamase inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of sulbactam, tazobactam and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and active esters thereof, and   where the neuroprotective amount is from about 1 μg/kg to about 5 mg/kg of average body weight of the patient.   
   
   
       11 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein the dosage form is selected from the group consisting of intraperitoneal dosage forms, oral dosage forms, parenteral dosage forms, inhalation dosage forms, transdermal dosage forms, rectal dosage forms, and vaginal dosage forms. 
   
   
       12 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein the dosage form is for intraperitoneal administration and where the neuroprotective amount is from about 1 μg/kg to about 50 μg/kg of average body weight of the patient. 
   
   
       13 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein the dosage form is for parenteral administration and where the neuroprotective amount is from about 0.02 mg/kg to about 2.5 mg/kg of average body weight of the patient. 
   
   
       14 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the dosage form is a prolonged released form. 
   
   
       15 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein the dosage form is for oral administration and where the neuroprotective amount is from about 0.1 mg/kg to about 5 mg/kg of average body weight of the patient.