Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Other

Andrew Freese

Bernhard A Sabel

William Mark Saltzman

William M Saltzman

Matthew J During

Disclosed is a polymeric drug delivery system for delivery of any substance to the central nervous system. The delivery system is preferably implanted in the central nervous system for delivery of the drug directly to the central nervous system. These implantable devices can be used, for example, to achieve continuous delivery of dopamine, which cannot pass the blood brain barrier, directly into the brain for an extended time period. The implantable devices display controlled, 'zero-order' release kinetics, a life time of a minimum of several weeks or months even when the devices contain water soluble, low molecular weight compounds, biocompatibility, and relative non-invasiveness. The polymeric devices are applicable in the treatment of a variety of central nervous system disorders including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's dementia, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, trauma, stroke, depression and other types of neurological and psychiatric illnesses.

Polymeric device for controlled drug delivery to the CNS

A polymeric device releasing biologically active, water-soluble materials having a molecular weight of less than 1000 in a controlled, continuous and linear manner over an extended period of time. Insoluble polymer matrixes can be defined in any shape, size and drug content. When applied to medical use, biocompatible polymers are used so that the device is implantable. The device is made by modifying prior art devices based on diffusion of fluid into a polymeric matrix containing dispersed biologically active molecules to yield a polymer device which can be placed in a fluid environment, so that fluid is absorbed by the device and the water soluble molecules diffuse into the fluid environment, leaving behind pores and channels, where the rate of diffusion is limited by an impermeable coating over a portion of t

Extended drug delivery of small, water-soluble molecules

The present invention is a method and composition for treatment of ischemic, metabolic, congenital, or degenerative disorders of the central or peripheral nervous system. The composition is formed by encapsulation within an implantable biocompatible polymeric device of one or more compounds which have the effect or replacing or stimulating functions of the nervous system. A variety of biocompatible polymers including both biodegradable and non-degradable polymers can be used to form the implants. An essential feature of the composition is linear release, achieved through manipulation of the polymer composition and form. The selection of the shape, size, drug, polymer, and method for implantation are determined on an individual basis according to the disorder to be treated and the individual patient response. A plethora of neurally active substances can be used to treat or manipulate neurological disorders, including Parkinson's Disease, particularly the subset which is refractory or poorly responsive to existing therapies; Alzheimer's Disease; Huntington's Disease; and trauma, such as spinal cord injury.

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Jamaica Plain, MA, United States of America

Andrew Freese