Compositions and methods for the treatment of brain injury

Abstract

Compositions and methods are provided for the alleviation of pathology induced by traumatic brain injury.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for reducing in a subject the pathology associated with traumatic brain injury, said method comprising orally administering to said subject a composition comprising valine, leucine, isoleucine, a flavor masking agent, a sweetener, and a flavoring agent. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said flavor masking agent is a gluconate salt. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sweetener is sucralose. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said pathology is selected from the group consisting of cognitive impairment and reduction of seizure threshold. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is administered for at least 10 consecutive days. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method comprises administering at least about 60 g of valine, leucine, and isoleucine per day. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises valine, leucine, isoleucine, a flavor masking agent, and a sweetener in a ratio of about 1:1:1:1.3:0.9. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising orally administering acetate to said subject. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said acetate is glyceryl triacetate (GTA). 
     
     
         11 . A composition comprising valine, leucine, isoleucine, a flavor masking agent, a sweetener, and a flavoring agent. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein said composition further comprises at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein said composition is a liquid or a powder. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein said composition comprises valine, leucine, isoleucine, a flavor masking agent, and a sweetener in a ratio of about 1:1:1:1.3:0.9. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 11 , further comprising acetate. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein said acetate is glyceryl triacetate (GTA). 
     
     
         17 . A method for treating a sleep disorder in a subject associated with traumatic brain injury, said method comprising administering to said subject at least one branched chain amino acid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said method comprises administering valine, leucine, and isoleucine to said subject. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said branched chain amino acid is in a composition with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said sleep disorder is selected from the group consisting of insomnia, fatigue, and sleepiness. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising administering acetate to said subject. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said branched chain amino acids are administered orally or nasally.