Compositions and methods for treating neuropsychiatric disorders using an endothelin-b receptor agonist

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating neuropsychiatric disorders in vertebrates and humans. More specifically, the present invention provides for use of an endothelin-B receptor agonist as a neuroprotective and a neuroregenerative agent.

1 . A method of treating a neuropsychiatric disorder comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an endothelin-B receptor agonist to treat the neuropsychiatric disorder. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the endothelin-B receptor agonist is co-administered with an additional agent to treat the neuropsychiatric disorder. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the additional agent is selected from the group consisting of an antidepressant, an anti-inflammatory agent, a CNS stimulant, a neuroleptic, and an anti-proliferative agent. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the endothelin-B receptor agonist is selected from the group consisting of IRL-1620, BQ-3020, [Ala 1,3,11,15 ]-Endothelin, Sarafotoxin S6c, endothelin-3, and a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the neuropsychiatric disorder is selected from the group consisting of a cerebrovascular disease, stroke, cerebral ischemia, cerebral hemorrhage, head trauma, brain injury, a brain tumor, multiple sclerosis and demyelinating diseases, dementia, vascular dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, ataxia, motor neuron disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, drug intoxication, alcoholism, chronic brain infections, brain abscess, white matter disease, Binswanger's disease, Moyamoya disease, perinatal hypoxia, cerebral asphyxia, intracranial birth injury, congenital malformation of the brain, mood disorders, and depression. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the endothelin-B receptor agonist is administered at a dose ranging from 0.0001 to 0.5 mg/kg. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the endothelin-B receptor agonist is administered repeatedly at intervals of 1 to 6 hours after every two to five days. 
     
     
         8 . A composition comprising (a) an endothelin-B receptor agonist, (b) an agent used to treat a neuropsychiatric disorder, and optionally (c) an excipient. 
     
     
         9 . An article of manufacture comprising:
 (a) a packaged composition comprising an endothelin-b receptor agonist and an agent for treating a neuropsychiatric disorder;   (b) an insert providing instructions for a simultaneous or sequential administration of the endothelin-b receptor agonist and the agent for the neuropsychiatric disorder to treat a patient; and   (c) a container for (a) and (b).   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the endothelin-B receptor agonist is IRL-1620.