Use of pramipexole to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Abstract

The present invention is directed to compositions comprising pramipexole and the use of such compositions to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). As shown in FIG. 6 B the mean+/−SEM serum 2,3-DHBA levels for the 12 ALS participants decreased significantly after pramipexole treatment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating ALS patients, said method comprising the step of administering to said patient a composition comprising a tetrahydrobenthiazole having the general structure: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 , are independently selected from the group consisting of H and C 1 -C 3  alkyl. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein R 1 , R 2  and R 4 , are H and R 3  is C 1 -C 3  alkyl. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said tetrahydrobenthiazole is pramipexole. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein greater than 90% of the pramipexole in said composition is R(+) 2-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-6-propylaminobenzathiazole 
     
     
         5 . A method for enhancing the bioelectric potential ( )Θ) across mitochondrial membranes of cells with impaired mitochondrial energy production, said method comprising the step of contacting said cells with a composition comprising a tetrahydrobenthiazole having the general structure 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 , are independently selected from the group consisting of H and C 1 -C 3  alkyl. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said tetrahydrobenthiazole is pramipexole. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein greater than 90% of the pramipexole compound is R(+) 2-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-6-propylaminobenzathiazole. 
     
     
         8 . A method of reducing oxidative stress in an ALS patient, said method comprising the step of administering to said patient a composition comprising a tetrahydrobenthiazole 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       having the general structure: 
       wherein R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are H and R 4  is C 1 -C 3  alkyl. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said tetrahydrobenthiazole is pramipexole. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said pramipexole is R(+) 2-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-6-propylaminobenzathiazole.