Methods for providing neuroprotection for the animal central nervous system against the effects of ischemia, neurodegeneration, trauma, and metal poisoning

Abstract

Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for providing neuroprotection to the animal central nervous system against the effects of ischemia, and neurodegeneration. Patients at risk for certain diseases or disorders that are associated with cerebral ischemia may benefit, e.g., those at risk for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Wilson's disease or stroke or those patients having head or spinal cord injury. Patients undergoing certain medical procedures that may result in ischemia may also benefit. Initially, the possibility of ischemia or neurodegeneration is recognized. Intranasal therapeutic agents are administered to the upper third of the nasal cavity to bypass the blood-brain barrier and access the central nervous system directly to avoid unwanted and potentially lethal side effects. Therapeutic agents include those substances that interact with iron and/or copper such as iron chelators and copper chelators. A particular example of such therapeutic agents is the iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO). Intranasal administration of DFO provides an effective method for pre-conditioning the brain to protect against cerebral ischemia.