Compositions and methods for treating dementia

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and compositions for improving episodic memory and treating dementia.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of improving episodic memory in a human subject that has dementia, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of VX-745. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of VX-745 provides an average blood concentration of about 8 ng/mL. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount is achieved by twice daily administration. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the twice daily administering occurs about 9 to 15 hours apart. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administering occurs within about 30 to 60 minutes after the subject consumes food. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein an improvement in episodic memory is measured by the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein an improvement in episodic memory is measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the human subject has a baseline MMSE score from about 20 to about 28 prior to treatment. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the treating of the human subject results in at least a 3 point increase over the baseline MMSE score. 
     
     
         10 . A method of treating dementia in a human subject exhibiting a decline in at least two of the following:
 memory;   communication and language;   ability to focus and pay attention;   reasoning and judgment; and   visual perception;   
       the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of VX-745. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of VX-745 provides an average blood concentration of about 8 ng/mL. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount is achieved by twice daily administration. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the twice daily administering occurs about 9 to 15 hours apart. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the administering occurs within about 30 to 60 minutes after the subject consumes food. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein VX-745 is administered at a dose of about 40 mg. 
     
     
         16 . A method of improving episodic memory in a human subject, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of VX-745, wherein the subject has a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by an increase in the number and/or size of endosomes. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of VX-745 provides an average blood concentration of about 8 ng/mL. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount is achieved by twice daily administration. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the twice daily administering occurs about 9 to 15 hours apart. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein VX-745 is administered at a dose of about 40 mg.