Georgetown University

Duke University

The Johns Hopkins University

Potomac Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Kenneth J Kellar

Yingxian Xiao

Milton L Brown

Mikell Paige

Edward D Levin

Amir H Rezvani

Yong Liu

Alan P Kozikowski

Venkata Mahidhar Yenugonda

Patrick A Forcelli

Hong Fan

John L Musachio

Zhi-Liang Wei

Mikell A Paige

Previous studies (Xiao et al., 2001) have identified two metabolites of methadone, EMDP (2-ethyl-5-methyl-3,3-diphenyl-1-pyrroline) and EDDP (2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine), which are considered to be inactive at opiate receptors, as relatively potent noncompetitive channel blockers of &#x3b1;3&#x3b2;4 nAChRs. We have now evaluated these compounds in rats and mice in preclinical behavioral models predictive of potential anxiolytic and antidepressant efficacy. We found that EMDP, but not EDDP, displayed robust effects predictive of anxiolytic and antidepressant efficacy without significant effects on locomotor activity. Moreover, EMDP at behaviorally active doses, unlike mecamylamine, did not produce eyelid ptosis, suggesting it may produce fewer autonomic side effects than mecamylamine. Thus, the methadone metabolite EMDP may represent a novel therapeutic avenue for the treatment of some affective disorders.

Use of methadone metabolites for treatment of anxiety and depression

Disclosed are methods of treating anxiety or depression, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of 2-ethyl-5-methyl-3,3-diphenyl-1-pyrroline (EMDP), 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Disclosed are heterocyclic compounds that are ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The compounds are useful for treating a mammal suffering from any one of a range of therapeutic indications, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dyskinesias, Tourette's syndrome, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, anxiety, pain, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, chemical substance abuse, alcoholism, memory deficit, pseudodementia, Ganser's syndrome, migraine pain, bulimia, obesity, premenstrual syndrome or late luteal phase syndrome, tobacco abuse, post-traumatic syndrome, social phobia, chronic fatigue syndrome, premature ejaculation, erectile difficulty, anorexia nervosa, disorders of sleep, autism, mutism, trichotillomania, and hypothermia.

2-halo-5-alkynyl-pyridyl nicotinic ligands

2,5-disubstituted-pyridyl nicotinic ligands, and methods of use thereof

Disclosed are compounds and methods of using them to treat a disorder selected from the group consisting of addiction, pain, obesity, schizophrenia, epilepsy, mania and manic depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, learning deficit, cognition deficit, attention deficit, memory loss, Lewy Body Dementia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Tourette's syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, inflammation, stroke, spinal cord injury, dyskinesias, obsessive compulsive disorder, chemical substance abuse, alcoholism, memory deficit, pseudodementia, Ganser's syndrome, migraine pain, bulimia, premenstrual syndrome or late luteal phase syndrome, tobacco abuse, post-traumatic syndrome, social phobia, chronic fatigue syndrome, premature ejaculation, erectile difficulty, anorexia nervosa, autism, mutism, trichotillomania, hypothermia, and disorders of sleep.

Phenyl-substituted nicotinic ligands, and methods of use thereof

One aspect of the present invention relates to heterocyclic compounds that are ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. A second aspect of the invention relates to the use of a compound of the invention for modulation of a mammalian nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Silent desensitizers of neuronal nAChR and methods of use thereof

The present invention discloses nicotinic desensitizers and methods of selecting, testing, and using them. The present invention provides methods for selecting nicotinic desensitizers from one or more compounds by using receptor, cell, and tissue models; and methods for testing one or more nicotinic desensitizers for their therapeutic utility by using animal models. The present invention also provides compounds of formula (I) and (II) as nicotinic desensitizers. Nicotinic desensitizers of the present invention are useful for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, diseases, and disorders.

Nicotinic desensitizers and methods of selecting, testing, and using them

One aspect of the present invention relates to heterocyclic compounds that are ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. A second aspect of the invention relates to the use of a compound of the invention for modulation of a mammalian nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The present invention also relates to the use of a compound of the invention for treating a mammal suffering from Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dyskinesias, Tourette's syndrome, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, anxiety, pain, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, chemical substance abuse, alcoholism, memory deficit, pseudodementia, Ganser's syndrome, migraine pain, bulimia, obesity, premenstrual syndrome or late luteal phase syndrome, tobacco abuse, post-traumatic syndrome, social phobia, chronic fatigue syndrome, premature ejaculation, erectile difficulty, anorexia nervosa, disorders of sleep, autism, mutism or trichtillomania.

Ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and methods of making and using them

The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating, preventing, or reversing neuronal dysfunction including cognitive decline, such as cognitive decline associated with aging and minimal cognitive impairment; severe neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease; and neuronal dysfunction associated with loss of motor skills, such as Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The compositions and methods of the invention can also treat or prevent neuronal dysfunction resulting from CNS injury, such as stroke, spinal-cord injury, and peripheral-nerve injury. The compositions of the invention comprises a huperzine compound and a nicotinic compound.

Growing community of inventors

Bethesda, MD, United States of America

Kenneth J Kellar