Angiotensin in treating brain conditions

Abstract

The present invention provides, among other things, methods and compositions for treating brain conditions. In some embodiments, the methods include administering to a subject suffering from or susceptible to a brain condition an angiotensin (1-7) peptide via either an intravenous or subcutaneous route of administration.

1 . A method of treating a brain condition comprising
 administering to a subject suffering from or susceptible to a brain condition an angiotensin (1-7) peptide via either an intravenous or subcutaneous route of administration.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the brain condition is selected from stroke, vascular dementia, and traumatic brain injury. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the stroke is either ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angiotensin (1-7) peptide is not administered intracerebroventricularly. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angiotensin (1-7) peptide is administered via continuous infusion. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angiotensin (1-7) peptide is administered three times per month. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angiotensin (1-7) peptide is administered twice per month. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angiotensin (1-7) peptide is administered once per month. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angiotensin (1-7) peptide is administered at an effective dose ranging from about 1-1,000 ug/kg/day. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angiotensin (1-7) peptide is administered at an effective dose ranging from about 50-500 ug/kg/day. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angiotensin (1-7) peptide is administered at an effective dose ranging from about 1-60 ug/kg/day. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angiotensin (1-7) peptide comprises the naturally-occurring Angiotensin (1-7) amino acid sequence of Asp 1 -Arg 2 -Val 3 -Tyr 4 -Ile 5 -His 6 -Pro 7  (SEQ ID NO:1). 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angiotensin (1-7) peptide is a functional equivalent of SEQ ID NO: 1. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the functional equivalent is a linear peptide. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the linear peptide comprises a sequence that includes at least four amino acids from the seven amino acids that appear in the naturally-occurring Angiotensin (1-7), wherein the at least four amino acids maintain their relative positions as they appear in the naturally-occurring Angiotensin (1-7). 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the linear peptide contains 4-25 amino acids. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the linear peptide is a fragment of the naturally-occurring Angiotensin (1-7). 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the linear peptide contains amino acid substitutions, deletions and/or insertions in the naturally-occurring Angiotensin (1-7). 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the linear peptide has an amino acid sequence of Asp 1 -Arg 2 -Val 3 -Ser 4 -Ile 5 -His 6 -Cys 7  (SEQ ID NO:6). 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the functional equivalent is a cyclic peptide. 
     
     
         21 - 29 . (canceled)