Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute

The United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

West Virginia University

Cognitive Research Enterprises, Inc.

Miao-Kun Sun

Daniel L Alkon

Thomas J Nelson

Wei-Qin Zhao

David L Alkon

The invention provides for the use of carbonic anhydrase activators; protein kinase C activators and FGF-18 to treat depressive disorders. The invention also relates to improved animal models and methods for screening and identifying compounds to treat depressive disorders.

Treatment of depressive disorders

The present disclosure provides methods of treating a cognitive disorder associated with abnormal dendritic spines, such as Fragile X Syndrome, Fragile X Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome, autism, or mental retardation, using PKC activators.

Treatment of cognitive disorders associated with abnormal dendritic spines using PKC activators

The invention provides for the use of carbonic anhydrase activators; protein kinase C activators and FGF-18 to treat depressive disorders. The invention also relates to improved animal models and methods for screening and identifying compounds the treatment of depressive disorders.

The present invention relates to the combination of a methylxanthine and a carbonic anhydrase activator to provide synergistic effects. The invention further relates to the improved/enhanced cognitive ability of individuals, particularly those suffering from various disorders, such as Alzheimer's Disease, stroke, hypoxia, general dementia, ADHD, mental retardation, and &ldquo;sun down&rdquo; syndrome.

Synergistic enhancement of cognitive ability

The invention provides a method for modulating attentive cognition comprising administering a compound that alters intraneuronal carbonic anhydrase activity thereby affecting establishment of a theta rhythm. The metabolic pathway of the compound preferably involves bicarbonate-mediated GABAergic depolarization. The term &ldquo;attentive cognition&rdquo; is meant to encompass memory formation, learning, spatial memory, and attention. The modulating may be stimulating, or the compound may have the multiple effects of inhibiting intraneuronal carbonic anhydrase activity, establishment of a theta rhythm, and memory acquisition. The invention further provides a method of modulating memory and attention comprising switching theta rhythm on and off, the switching comprising potentiating or inhibiting intraneuronal carbonic anhydrase activity.

Growing community of inventors

Gaithersburg, MD, United States of America

Miao-Kun Sun