WO2018187647A1

WO2018187647A1 - Methods and compositions for treatment of neurological diseases, disorders, or conditions

Info

Publication number: WO2018187647A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/026390
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Alkon
Original assignee: Neurotrope Bioscience, Inc.
Priority date: 2017-04-06
Filing date: 2018-04-06
Publication date: 2018-10-11

Abstract

Provided herein are uses of pharmaceutically effective amounts of HASF and/or of compounds that increases endogenous expression of HASF in the treatment of a neurological disease, disorder, or condition. Also provided are methods for treating a neurological disease, disorder, or condition in a patient by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of one or more PKC activators such as HASF and/or of compounds that increases endogenous expression of HASF to the patient.

Description

Methods and Compositions for Treatment of Neurological Diseases, Disorders, or

Conditions

Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 62/482,529, filed April 6, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the field of neurology.

Background of the Invention

Various disorders and diseases exist which affect aspects of cognition, including attention, learning, and memory. These disorders may be associated with varying degrees of neiu'odegeneration.

There exists a need for additional methods and compositions suitable for treating a variety of neurological diseases, disorders, and conditions.

Summary of the Invention

Provided herein are uses of a pharmaceutically effective amount of HASF and/or of a compound that increases endogenous expression of HASF in the treatment of a neurological disease, disorder, or condition. For example, the pharmaceutically effective amount may be from about 0.0000001 mg/kg to about 250 mg/kg per dose or from about 0.00001 mg/kg to about 5.0 mg/kg per dose.

Also provided are methods for treating a neurological disease, disorder, or condition in a patient by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a PKC activator to said patient. For example, the PKC activator activates the PKC ε isozyme and/or the PKC a isozyme. In some embodiments, the PKC activator is Hypoxia and Akt induced Stem Cell Factor (HASF), a compound that increases endogenous expression of HASF, or a combination thereof.

One or more additional PKC activators can also be administered to the patient. By way of non-limiting example, the one or more additional PKC activators can be selected from the group consisting of bryostatin 1, bryostatin 2, bryostatin 3, bryostatin 4, bryostatin 5, bryostatin 6, bryostatin 7, bryostatin 8, bryostatin 9, bryostatin 10, bryostatin 11, bryostatin 12, bryostatin 13, bryostatin 14, bryostatin 15, bryostatin 16, bryostatin 17, bryostatin 18, bryostatin 19, bryostatin 20, a bryolog, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, a potassium channel activator (i.e. , a diazoxide), a neristatin (i.e. , neristatin 1), phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), okadaic acid, la,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3, 12-deoxyphorbol-13-acetate (prostratin), 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol (DOG), l-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG), (2S,5S)-(E,E)-8-( 5- ( 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2,4-pentadienoylamino)benzolactam (a-amyloid precursor protein modulator), cis-9-octadecenoic acid (oleic acid), ingenol 3-angelate, resiniferatoxin, L-a-Phosphatidyl-D-myo-inositol-4,5-bisphosphate, triammonium salt (PIP2), phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate, 8(S-hydroxy-(5Z, 9E, 11Z, 14Z)-eicosatetraenoic acid (8(S)-HETE), 12β- [(E,E)-5-Phenyl-2,4-pentadienoyloxy]daphnetoxin (merzerein), clomiphene citrate, sodium oleate, phorbol 12,13-diacetate, phorbol-12,13-didecanoate, 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol, 1- Stearoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol, l-stearoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol, phorbol- 12, 13- dihexanoate, prostratin and its analogs, resiniferonol 9,13,14-ortho-phenylacetate, C-8 ceramide, l,6-bis(Cyclohexyloximinocarbonylamino) hexane; 1,6-Di(0-

(carbamoyl)cyclohexanone oxime) hexane (RHC-80267), (+/-)-l-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol, 5(S),6(R),15(S)-TriHETE (Lipoxin A4), (-)-Indolactam V, SC-9, SC-10, zoledronic acid monohydrate, 12-deoxyphorbo-13-angelate 20-acetate, 6-(N-decylamino)-4- hydroxymethylindole, 4a-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, 1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycerol, zoledronic acid disodium salt tetrahydrate, arachidonic acid methyl ester, and arachidonic acid-d8.

In any of the methods described herein, the PKC activator is administered orally, intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, intranasally, buccally, trans -dermally, intramuscularly, intrarectally, intravenously, and/or by inhalation.

The pharmaceutically effective amount of the PKC activator is from about 0.0000001 mg/kg to about 250 mg/kg per dose. In some embodiments, the PKC activator is provided in a dose from about 0.01-25 μg/m² IV.

In any of the methods and uses described herein, the neurological disease, disorder, or condition may be Alzheimer's disease.

Any of the aspects and embodiments described herein can be combined with any other aspect or embodiment as disclosed here in the Summary of the Invention, in the Drawings, and/or in the Detailed Description of the Invention, including the below specific, non-limiting, examples/embodiments of the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. In the specification, the singular forms also include the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice and testing of the application, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference.

The references cited herein are not admitted to be prior art to the claimed application. In the case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Other features and advantages of the application will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the examples.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a graph showing that Hypoxia and Akt Induced Stem Cell Factor (HASF) expression is lower in human Alzheimer's hippocampus compared to age matched control brains.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Neurological diseases, disorders, and conditions

As used herein, "neurodegeneration" refers to the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including death of neurons.

Any of the compounds disclosed herein may be used for the treatment of one or more neurological diseases, disorders, or conditions. For example, the neurological disease, disorder, or condition may be any disease, disorder, or condition that affects the central nervous system (CNS) or the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

By way of non-limiting example, the neurological disease, disorder, or condition may be Alzheimer's disease; congophilic angiopathy (also known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy or CAA), Down syndrome; muiii-infarci dementia (MID), a senile dementia caused by cerebrovascular deficiency; the Lewy-body variant of Alzheimer's disease with or without association with Parkinson's disease; Creutzfekl- Jakob disease: brain damage as the result of a classical stroke or as a result of an anesthetic accident, head trauma, hypoglycemia, carbon monoxide poisoning, lithium intoxication, vitamin (BL thiamine and B12) deficiency, excessive alcohol use or Korsakow's disorder; traumatic brain injury; mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or depressive disorders; and/or schizophrenia.

Synaptogenesis

Synaptogenesis refers to the process by which synapses are formed between neurons. Two types of synaptogenesis occur after damage in the adult central nervous system (CNS): regenerative synaptogenesis and reactive synaptogenesis. Regenerative synaptogenesis occurs when injured axons begin sprouting and may result in the axon extending long distances in order to reach its original target, whereas reactive synaptogenesis occurs within 4-5 days of injury when nearby undamaged axons innervate synaptic sites that were previously activated by the injured axons.

Protein kinase C family

The protein kinase C (PKC) family of enzymes is responsible for a multitude of cellular processes through the enzymes' ability to regulate proteins via signal transduction cascades. The members of this kinase family are structurally and functionally similar and are categorized into conventional (α, βΐ, βΙΙ and γ), novel (δ, ε, η, and θ), and atypical isoforms (ζ and λ). These isoforms have been implicated in a variety of diseases and pathological conditions. (See Mellor and Parker (1998) Biochem. J. 332(2): 281-292; Azzi et al. (1992) Eur. J. Biochem. 208:547-557; Cloud-Heflin et al. (1996) Eur. J. Biochem. 239: 796-804; and Mochly-Rosen et al. Nat. Rev. Drug Discov. 11 : 937-957.) For example, PKCs is known to be defective in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.

The PKC ε and PKC a isozymes are responsible for increasing the synthesis of synaptic growth factors including BDNF, IGF, and NGF, thereby increasing the levels of these growth factors. Further, the PKC ε and PKC a isozymes are anti-apoptotic, i.e. , they prevent and/or reduce neuronal and synaptic death. In one embodiment, PKC ε contributes more than PKC a towards the increase in the synthesis of synaptic growth factors including BDNF, IGF, and NGF. In one embodiment, PKC ε is more efficacious at preventing and/or reducing neuronal and synaptic death than PKC a.

Hypoxia and Akt Induced Stem Cell Factor (HASF)

HASF is a novel paracrine factor secreted by mesenchymal stem cells that promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation. (See Beigi et al., Circ Res. 113:372-80 (2013)). Additionally, HASF also exerts a cytoprotective on ischemia induced cardiomyocyte death. (See Huang et al., J Mol Cell Cardiol 66: 157-164 (2014), which is herein incorporated by reference).

HASF has also been shown to activate protein kinase C ε (Ρ^ ) in vivo and in vitro.

Moreover, HASF expression is lower in human AD hippocampus compared to age matched control brains. {See Figure 1). Moreover, Αβ-oligomers (ASPDs) have been shown to reduce HASF secretion from SH-SY5Y cells (a human neuroblastoma cell line).

Thus, HASF may play a role in neuronal survival and/or treatment of AD. Future studies will be performed to determine whether HASF plays a role in synaptogenesis and/or neuroprotection.

PKC activators

In general, the present disclosure provides methods for treating neurological diseases, disorders, or conditions such as AD using PKC activators. As used herein, "protein kinase C activator" or "PKC activator" refers to a substance that increases the rate of the reaction catalyzed by protein kinase C, upregulates the expression of PKC (e.g. , upregulates the expression of PKCa, PKC βΙΙ, PKC γ and/or PKC ε), or otherwise facilitates the activation of PKC. Protein kinase C activators are known to possess potent neurotrophic and neuroprotective activity. However, not all PKC activators exhibit this activity to the same extent. In fact, some, such as phorbol esters, have been shown to be tumor promoters. Moreover, many PKC activators are non-specific and activate isozymes such as beta, which are not the targets of choice. Likewise, many PKC activators reduce the delta isoform, and, thus, are thought to increase tumorigenic activity. {See Nelson et al, Trends in Biochemical Sciences 34(3): 136-145 (2009) (incorporated by reference)).

Accordingly, preferred PKC activators for use in the methods disclosed herein will be ones that activate PKC ε and/or PKC a. PKC activators that are tumorigenic and/or toxic should not be used.

For example, the PKC activator may be any of bryostatin 1-20, a bryolog, neristatin, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, or any combinations thereof.

Bryostatins may be used in the methods of the present disclosure. The bryostatins are a family of naturally occurring macrocyclic compounds originally isolated from marine bryozoa. Currently, there are about 20 known natural bryostatins which share three six- membered rings designated A, Band C, and which differ mainly in the nature of their substituents at C7 (OR^A) and C20 (R^B). For example, in bryostatin 1 , R^A is -C(=0)CH₃ (acetyl) and R^B is -OC(=0)CH=CH-CH=CH-C₃Hv.

Bryostatin 1 and derivatives of bryostatin 1 are described in U. S Pat. No. 4,560,774 (incorporated herein by reference). Examples of suitable bryostatins that may be used with the methods of the present disclosure include, bryostatin 1 , bryostatin 2, bryostatin 3, bryostatin 4, bryostatin 5, bryostatin 6, bryostatin 7, bryostatin 8, bryostatin 9, bryostatin 10, bryostatin 1 1 , bryostatin 12, bryostatin 13, bryostatin 14, bryostatin 15, bryostatin 16, bryostatin 17 bryostatin 18, bryostatin 19, and bryostatin 20.

Analogs of bryostatins, commonly referred to as bryologs, may also be used in the methods of the present disclosure. Bryologs are structural analogues of bryostatin. While bryostatin has two pyran rings and one 6-membered cyclic acetal, in most bryologs one of the pyrans of bryostatin is replaced with a second 6-membered acetal ring. This modification reduces the stability of bryologs, relative to bryostatin, for example, in both strong acid or base, but has little significance at physiological pH. Bryologs also have a lower molecular weight (ranging from about 600 to 755), as compared to bryostatin (988), a property which may facilitate transport across the blood-brain barrier. Examples of suitable bryologs include, but are not limited to, analogs and derivatives of bryostatins such as those disclosed in U. S. Pat. Nos. 6,624, 189, 7,256,286 and 8,497,385 (the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference).

Polyunsaturated fatty acid esters (PUFAs or polyenoic fatty acids)) or derivatives thereof may be used in the methods of the present disclosure. A PUFA is a fatty acid containing more than one double bond. While PUFAs themselves are unstable in most physiologic circumstances and may themselves possess little or no PKC ε activation efficacy, it is possible to derivatize PUFAs to make them more stable and increase their potency and specificity for PKC ε activation.

There are three classes of PUFAs, omega-3 PUFAs, omega-6 PUFAs, and omega-9 PUFAS. In omega-3 PUFAs, the first double bond is found 3 carbons away from the last carbon in the chain (the omega carbon). In omega-6 PUFAs the first double bond is found 6 carbons away from the chain and in omega-9 PUFAs the first double bond is 9 carbons from the omega carbon. As used herein, the term PUFA includes both naturally-occurring and synthetic fatty acids. A major source for PUFAs is from marine fish and vegetable oils derived from oil seed crops. Examples of PUFA's suitable for use in the methods of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, esters of 8-[2-(2-pentylcyclopropylmethyl) cyclopropyl]-octanoic acid (DCPLA), as well as those described in United States patent 8,163,800 and in PCT publication WO 2010014585 Al.

Other examples of suitable PKC activators include potassium channel activators such as, for example, diazoxide.

Neristatins, such as neristatin 1, may be used in the methods of the present disclosure for treating lipid storage disorders.

Other PKC activators include, but are not limited to, phorbol-12- myristate-13-acetate (PMA), okadaic acid, l ,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, 12- deoxyphorbol-13-acetate (prostratin), 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol (DOG), l-oleoyl-2- acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG), (2S,5S)-(E,E)-8-(5- (4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2,4-pentadienoylamino)benzolactam(a-amyloid precursor protein modulator), cis-9- octadecenoic acid (oleic acid), ingenol 3-angelate, resiniferatoxin, L-a- Phosphatidyl-D-myo-inositol-4,5-bisphosphate, triammonium salt (PIP2), phorbol-12, 13- dibutyrate, 8(S-hydroxy-(5Z, 9E, 11Z, 14Z)-eicosatetraenoic acid (8(S)-HETE), 12β-[(Ε,Ε)- 5-Phenyl-2,4-pentadienoyloxy]daphnetoxin (merzerein), clomiphene citrate, sodium oleate, phorbol 12, 13-diacetate, phorbol-12, 13-didecanoate, 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol, 1- Stearoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol, phorbol-12, 13-didecanoate, 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol, 1- stearoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol, phorbol 12, 13-dihexanoate, prostratin and its analogs, resiniferonol 9,13,14-ortho-phenylacetate, C-8 ceramide, l,6-bis(

Cyclohexyloximinocarbonylamino )hexane; l,6-Di(0-(carbamoyl)cyclohexanone oxime)hexane (RHC-80267), (+/-)- l-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol, 5(S),6(R), 15(S)-TriHETE (Lipoxin A4), (-)-Indolactam V, SC-9, SC-10, zoledronic acid monohydrate, 12-deoxyphorbo 13-angelate 20-acetate, 6-(N-decylamino)-4-hydroxymethylindole, 4aphorbol 12, 13- dibutyrate, 1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycerol, zoledronic acid disodium salt tetrahydrate, arachidonic acid methyl ester, arachidonic acid-d8.

HASF has also been shown to be a natural PKCs activator. (See Huang et al, J Mol Cell Cardiol 66: 157-164 (2014), which is herein incorporated by reference). Thus, HASF is another PKCs activator that can be used to treat neurological diseases, disorders, and/or conditions. By way of non-limiting example, the neurological disease, disorder, or condition may be Alzheimer's disease (AD).

In some non-limiting embodiments, pharmaceutically and/or therapeutically effective amounts of exogenously added HASF can be administered to a patient in order to activate PKC8, and thereby prevent synaptic loss and/or treat, ameliorate, or prevent neurodegeneration.

In other embodiments, one or more compounds that increase endogenous expression of HASF by stem cells (i.e. , HASF agonists) can be administered to a patient in order to increase the activation of PKCs, and thereby prevent synaptic loss and/or treat, ameliorate, or prevent neurodegeneration.

In still further embodiments, cells that have been genetically engineered to express or overexpress HASF and/or one or more compounds that increase endogenous expression of HASF by stem cells (i.e. , HASF agonists) can be used in order to increase the activation of PKC8, and thereby prevent synaptic loss and/or treat, ameliorate, or prevent neurodegeneration.

Methods of use

The term "subject" or "patient" refers to an animal, including, but not limited to, a primate (e.g. , human), cow, sheep, goat, horse, dog, cat, rabbit, rat, or mouse. The terms "subject" and "patient" are used interchangeably herein in reference, for example, to a mammalian subject, such as a human subject.

As used herein, the terms "treat," "treating" or "treatment," and other grammatical equivalents as used herein, include alleviating, abating, ameliorating, or preventing a disease, condition or symptoms, preventing additional symptoms, ameliorating or preventing the underlying metabolic causes of symptoms, inhibiting the disease or condition, e.g., arresting the development of the disease or condition, relieving the disease or condition, causing regression of the disease or condition, relieving a condition caused by the disease or condition, or stopping the symptoms of the disease or condition, and are intended to include prophylaxis. The terms further include achieving a therapeutic benefit and/or a prophylactic benefit. By therapeutic benefit is meant eradication or amelioration of the underlying disorder being treated. Also, a therapeutic benefit is achieved with the eradication or amelioration of one or more of the physiological symptoms associated with the underlying disorder such that an improvement is observed in the patient, notwithstanding that the patient may still be afflicted with the underlying disorder.

The terms "prevent," "preventing," or "prevention," and other grammatical equivalents as used herein, include to keep from developing, occur, hinder or avert a disease or condition symptoms as well as to decrease the occurrence of symptoms. The prevention may be complete (i.e. , no detectable symptoms) or partial, so that fewer symptoms are observed than would likely occur absent treatment. The terms further include a prophylactic benefit.

The terms "inhibiting", "eliminating" and/or "precluding" and the like also mean reducing an effect (e.g., disease state or expression level of a gene/protein/mRNA).

In this disclosure, "comprises," "comprising," "containing," "having," and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law and can mean "includes," "including," and the like; the terms "consisting essentially of or "consists essentially" likewise have the meaning ascribed in U.S. Patent law and these terms are open-ended, allowing for the presence of more than that which is recited so long as basic or novel characteristics of that which is recited are not changed by the presence of more than that which is recited, but excludes prior art embodiments.

Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the terms "a," "an," and "the" are understood to be singular or plural. Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term "or" is understood to be inclusive.

Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term "about" is understood as within a range of normal tolerance in the art, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean. About can be understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise clear from the context, all numerical values provided herein are modified by the term "about."

As used herein, "a pharmaceutically effective amount" or "a therapeutically effective amount" is an amount of a pharmaceutical compound or composition having a therapeutically relevant effect.

Pharmaceutically effective amount for bryostatins and bryologs may be from about 0.0000001 to about 500 mg per kg host body weight per day, which can be administered in single or multiple doses. In some embodiments, the dosage level may be: from about 0.0000001 mg/kg to about 250 mg/kg per day; from about 0.0000005 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg per day; from at least about 0.0000001 mg/kg to about 250 mg/kg per day; from at least about 0.00000005 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg per day; from at least about 0.000001 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg per day; or from about 0.00001 mg/kg to about 5.0 mg/kg per dose. In other embodiments, the dosage may be about 0.00000001 mg/kg to about 0.00005 mg/kg; 0.00005 mg/kg to about 0.05 mg/kg; about 0.0005 mg/kg to about 5.0 mg/kg per day; about 0.0001 mg/kg to about 0.5 mg/kg per dose; or 0.001 to 0.25 mg/kg per dose.

In certain embodiments, the dosing is from about 1 μg/kg (3-25 μg/m²) to 120 μg/kg (360-3000 μg/m²). In other embodiments, the dosing is from about 0.04-0.3 μg/kg (1 μg/m²) to about 1-10 μg/kg (25 μg/m²). In other embodiments, the dosing is from about 0.01 μg/m² to about 25 μg/m². In other embodiments, the dosing is from about 0.0002-0.0004 μg/kg to about 0.05-1 μg/kg.

When the PKC activator is a PUFA administered at a dosage of about 0.001 to 100 mg/kg; 0.01 to about 50 mg/kg; about 0.1 to about 10 mg/kg.

When the PKC activator present in the compositions used in the methods of the present disclosure is a bryostatin or bryolog, and the bryostatin or bryolog is used in an amount from about 0.0001 to about 1000 milligrams. For example, the bryostatin or bryolog is used in an amount from at least about 0.0001, 0.0005, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0, 25.0, 50.0, 75.0, 100.0, 150.0, 200.0, 250.0, 300.0, 400.0, 500.0, 600.0, 750.0, 800.0, 900.0, or about 1000.0 milligrams.

Pharmaceutically effective amount of HASF and/or one or more compounds that increase endogenous expression of HASF by stem cells (i.e. , HASF agonists) may be from about 0.0000001 to about 500 mg per kg host body weight per day, which can be administered in single or multiple doses. In some embodiments, the dosage level may be: from about 0.0000001 mg/kg to about 250 mg/kg per day; from about 0.0000005 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg per day; from at least about 0.0000001 mg/kg to about 250 mg/kg per day; from at least about 0.00000005 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg per day; from at least about 0.000001 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg per day; or from about 0.00001 mg/kg to about 5.0 mg/kg per dose. In other embodiments, the dosage may be about 0.00000001 mg/kg to about 0.00005 mg/kg; 0.00005 mg/kg to about 0.05 mg/kg; about 0.0005 mg/kg to about 5.0 mg/kg per day; about 0.0001 mg/kg to about 0.5 mg/kg per dose; or 0.001 to 0.25 mg/kg per dose.

Determination of the appropriate pharmaceutically effective amounts is within the routine level of skill in the art. The compositions used in the methods of the present disclosure may be administered via any suitable route; for example, orally, intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, intranasally, buccally, trans -dermally intramuscularly, intrarectally, intravenously, and by oral inhalation.

The compositions used in the methods of the present disclosure may be administered on a regimen of 1 to 4 times per day, and in some embodiments, the compositions are administered twice a week, once a week, once every two weeks, once every three weeks, once every four weeks, once every six weeks, once every eight weeks or even less frequently depending on the needs of the patient.

The compositions used in the methods of the present disclosure may be administered as part of a course of treatment lasting for about 1 to about 30 days; about 1 to about 90 days; about 1 to about 120 days; about 1 to about 180 days; about 1 to 365 days; one year; two years; three years; or for the patient's lifetime.

It will be understood, however, that the specific dose level and frequency of dosage for any particular host may be varied and will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific compound employed, the metabolic stability and length of action of that compound, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, mode and time of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, the nature of the disorder, the severity of the particular disorder, and the host undergoing therapy.

The invention having been described, the following examples are offered by way of illustration and not limitation.

Examples

Example 1: Role of HASF in Neuronal Survival and Alzheimer's disease

As shown in Figure 1, HASF expression is lower in human AD hippocampus compared to age matched control brains. This, in turn, provides evidence that there is a direct role of HASF in AD. Moreover, this finding has broad implications since HASF is a PKCs activator, and PKCs is a well-known synaptogenic molecule known to be deficient in AD.

Therefore, this research will expand the search for alternative pathways whereby therapeutic interventions may prevent synaptic loss.

Equivalents

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying description above. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.

The foregoing description has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and is not intended to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, but by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A use of a pharmaceutically effective amount of HASF in the treatment of a neurological disease, disorder, or condition.

2. A use of a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound that increases endogenous expression of HASF in the treatment of a neurological disease, disorder, or condition.

3. The use of any of the preceding claims, wherein the pharmaceutically effective amount is from about 0.0000001 mg/kg to about 250 mg/kg per dose.

4. The use of any of the preceding claims, wherein the pharmaceutically effective amount is from about 0.00001 mg/kg to about 5.0 mg/kg per dose.

5. The use of any of the preceding claims, wherein the neurological disease, disorder, or condition is Alzheimer's disease.

6. A method for treating a neurological disease, disorder, or condition in a patient comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a PKC activator to said patient.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the PKC activator activates the PKC ε isozyme and/or the PKC a isozyme.

8. The method of any one of claims 6-7, wherein the PKC activator activates the PKC ε isozyme.

9. The method of any one of claims 6-8, wherein the PKC activator is Hypoxia and Akt induced Stem Cell Factor (HASF), a compound that increases endogenous expression of HASF, or a combination thereof.

10. The method of any one of claim 6-9, wherein one or more additional PKC activators are administered to the patient.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more additional PKC activators are selected from the group consisting of bryostatin 1, bryostatin 2, bryostatin 3, bryostatin 4, bryostatin 5, bryostatin 6, bryostatin 7, bryostatin 8, bryostatin 9, bryostatin 10, bryostatin 11, bryostatin 12, bryostatin 13, bryostatin 14, bryostatin 15, bryostatin 16, bryostatin 17, bryostatin 18, bryostatin 19, bryostatin 20, a bryolog, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, a potassium channel activator, a neristatin, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), okadaic acid, la,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, 12-deoxyphorbol- 13 -acetate (prostratin), 1,2-dioctanoyl- sn-glycerol (DOG), l-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG), (2S,5S)-(E,E)-8-( 5-( 4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2,4-pentadienoylamino)benzolactam (a-amyloid precursor protein modulator), cis-9-octadecenoic acid (oleic acid), ingenol 3-angelate, resiniferatoxin, L-a- Phosphatidyl-D-myo-inositol-4,5-bisphosphate, triammonium salt (PIP2), phorbol-12, 13- dibutyrate, 8(S-hydroxy-(5Z, 9E, 11Z, 14Z)-eicosatetraenoic acid (8(S)-HETE), 12β-[(Ε,Ε)-5- Phenyl-2,4-pentadienoyloxy]daphnetoxin (merzerein), clomiphene citrate, sodium oleate, phorbol 12,13-diacetate, phorbol-12,13-didecanoate, 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol, 1-Stearoyl- 2-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol, l-stearoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol, phorbol- 12,13 -dihexanoate, prostratin and its analogs, resiniferonol 9,13,14-ortho-phenylacetate, C-8 ceramide, 1,6- bis(Cyclohexyloximinocarbonylamino) hexane; l,6-Di(0-(carbamoyl)cyclohexanone oxime) hexane (RHC-80267), (+/-)- l-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol, 5(S),6(R),15(S)-TriHETE (Lipoxin A4), (-)-Indolactam V, SC-9, SC-10, zoledronic acid monohydrate, 12-deoxyphorbo-13- angelate 20-acetate, 6-(N-decylamino)-4-hydroxymethylindole, 4a-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, 1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycerol, zoledronic acid disodium salt tetrahydrate, arachidonic acid methyl ester, and arachidonic acid-d8.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the potassium channel activator is a diazoxide.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the neristatin is neristatin 1.

14. The method of any one of claims 6-13, wherein the PKC activator is administered orally, intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, intranasally, buccally, trans-dermally, intramuscularly, intrarectally, intravenously, or by inhalation.

15. The method of any one of claims 6-14, wherein the PKC activator is administered orally.

The method of any one of claims 6-14, wherein the PKC activator is administered intravenously.

17. The method of any one of claims 6-16, wherein the pharmaceutically effective amount of the PKC activator is from about 0.0000001 mg/kg to about 250 mg/kg per dose.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the pharmaceutically effective amount of the PKC activator is provided in a dose from about 0.01-25 μg/m² IV.

19. The method of any one of claims 6-18 wherein the neurological disease, disorder, or condition is Alzheimer's disease.