RU2785125C2 - Methods for improvement of memory and cognitive function and treatment of memory disorders and cognitive disorders - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: pharmacology; medicine.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of pharmacology and medicine, namely to the treatment of cognitive functions in a subject. A method for the treatment for improvement of memory and/or cognitive function in a subject who needs such treatment is disclosed, including administration to the subject who needs such treatment of therapeutically effective amount of an antagonist of calcium channels of T type. In this case, the antagonist of calcium channels of T type is MK-8998 or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt. The treatment is used for a condition selected from a group consisting of agnosia, amnesia, Angelman syndrome, Asperger syndrome, autism, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, cognitive disorder caused by alcohol or medications, degenerative dementia, dementia associated with intracranial tumors, Levi’s body disease, multi-infarction dementia, Dravet syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, trisomy (including trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)), and Wernicke-Korsakov syndrome.

EFFECT: invention provides effective treatment of memory and/or cognitive function by administration of an antagonist of calcium channels of T type.

MK-8998

7 cl, 1 dwg, 1 tbl, 2 ex

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority over U.S. Patent Application No. 62/490,377, filed April 26, 2017. The disclosure of the prior application should be considered as part of (and incorporated by reference) the disclosure of the present application.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

The present invention relates to the treatment of a disease by administering pharmaceutical compounds. In particular, the invention relates to treatment to improve memory or cognitive function, or to the treatment of memory or cognitive disorders, or to the treatment of cognitive symptoms of a disease or condition by administering a T-type calcium channel antagonist.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

T-type calcium channels are low voltage activated channels that open during membrane depolarization and mediate calcium influx into cells following an action potential or depolarization signal. T-type calcium channels are known to be present in cardiac and smooth muscle, and are also present in many neurons in the central nervous system. T-type calcium channels (rapid calcium channels) differ from L-type calcium channels (slow calcium channels) in their ability to be activated by a more negative membrane potential, low channel conductance, and lack of response to traditional calcium channel blockers that target L-type calcium channels.

T-type calcium channels open after a slight depolarization of the membrane. T-type calcium channels have been studied primarily in the context of neuronal and cardiomyocyte function and are implicated in the pathogenesis of disorders associated with hyperexcitability such as epilepsy and cardiac dysfunction. Voltage-gated calcium channels are not normally expressed in non-excitable cells, but there is evidence that T-type calcium channels are expressed in non-excitable cancer cells.

T-type calcium channels are activated and inactivated by slight membrane depolarization and have slow deactivation rates. Thus, these channels can conduct depolarization current at low membrane potentials and mediate cellular "window" currents that occur within the superimposition of activation and inactivation potentials in the steady state at low values of membrane potential or resting potential. T-type calcium channels can maintain window current at unstimulated membrane or resting potentials, thereby providing a constant inward calcium current conducted by the portion of the channels that are not inactivated. Window current mediation allows T-type calcium channels to regulate intracellular calcium levels, both in electrically excitable cells such as neurons and in non-excitable tissues under unstimulated or resting cell conditions.

Voltage-gated calcium channels are composed of several subunits. The α1 subunit is the main subunit that forms the transmembrane pore of the channel. The α ₁ subunit also determines the type of calcium channel. Subunits β, α ₂ δ and γ, present only in some types of calcium channels, are auxiliary subunits and play minor roles in the channel. The _α1 subunit consists of four domains (I–IV), each of which contains 6 transmembrane segments (S1–S6), and hydrophobic loops between the S5 and S6 segments of each domain form the channel pores. T-type calcium channel subtypes are defined by a particular α ₁ subunit, as shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Subtypes of T-type calcium channels

Designation α ₁ subunit Gene Cav3.1 α _1G CACNA1G Cav3.2 α _1H CACNA1H Cav3.3 α ₁ I CACNA1I

Cognition is a mental activity or the process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thinking, experience and feeling. It covers such processes as learning, attention, memory and working memory, judgment and evaluation, reasoning and calculation, problem solving and decision making, understanding and language creation. In psychology, the term is used to refer to processes such as memory, association, concept formation, pattern recognition, language, attention, perception, action, problem solving, and mental imagery. Neurocognitive functions are cognitive functions closely related to the function of certain regions, neural pathways or cortical networks in the neurological matrix substrate layers in the brain at the cellular molecular level. Dementia is a severe impairment of cognitive function.

Memory is the ability of the mind by which information is encoded, stored and retrieved. Short-term memory is the ability to hold, but not manipulate, a small amount of information in an active, easily accessible state for a short period of time. Working memory serves as an encoding and extraction processor. Information in the form of stimuli is encoded by the working memory processor according to explicit or implicit functions. Working memory also retrieves information from previously stored material. Finally, the long-term memory function is designed to store data using various categorical models or systems.

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a continuous strengthening of synapses based on recent activity patterns. They are patterns of synaptic activity that generate an increase in signal transmission between two neurons that persists for a long time. This is one of several phenomena that underlie synaptic plasticity, the ability of chemical synapses to change their strength. Since memories are supposed to be encoded by changing the strength of the synapse, it is generally accepted that LTP is one of the main cellular mechanisms that underlies learning and memory.

Cognitive disorders are a category of mental health disorders that primarily affect learning, memory, perception, and problem solving and include amnesia, dementia, and delirium.

Delirium is a disorder in which individuals with this diagnosis experience severe difficulty in orienting themselves in situations and difficulty in processing new information. This may be accompanied by attention shifts, mood swings, aggressive or unusual behavior, and hallucinations. This can be caused by a deterioration in prior health conditions, drug or drug abuse, withdrawal from alcohol or drugs, mental illness, severe pain, immobility, sleep deprivation, and hypnosis.

Dementia is known as a genetic or traumatic disorder in which partial or complete loss of memory occurs. Dementia can have many causes, such as genetics, brain injury, stroke, and heart problems. Diseases that cause dementia include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease.

Patients with amnesia have trouble retaining long-term memories. Anterograde amnesia refers to the impairment of the ability to create new memories, while retrograde amnesia refers to the phenomenon in which memories that have been encoded or are in the process of being encoded in long-term memory are erased. Amnesia can be caused by concussions, traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress, and alcoholism, which can lead to damage to the brain's main memory-coding parts, such as the hippocampus.

Cognitive disorders can also include cognitive symptoms that are often associated with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and psychiatric disorders that affect cognition and memory function, although these conditions sometimes cannot be considered cognitive disorders per se because the loss of cognitive abilities is not the main, etiological symptom.

Memory disorders are disorders characterized by an obstruction in the storage, retention and retrieval of memories, often as a result of damage to neuroanatomical structures. Memory disorders can be progressive, including Alzheimer's disease, or they can be sudden, including those caused by head trauma.

While some treatments are available to improve cognition or memory, especially for specific conditions or disorders, the treatments available have limited efficacy and/or limited utility and are associated with side effects. Therefore, there is a need for new treatments that improve cognitive function or memory, or treatments for cognitive disorders, memory disorders, or cognitive symptoms of disorders such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, or psychiatric disorders that affect cognitive and memory function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a treatment to improve memory or cognitive function, or to the treatment of memory disorders or cognitive disorders, or to the treatment of cognitive symptoms of a disease or condition by administering a T-type calcium channel antagonist. The method includes administering to a subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a T-type calcium channel antagonist. The invention also relates to the use of a T-type calcium channel antagonist for treatment to improve cognitive function or memory. The present invention also relates to the use of a T-type calcium channel antagonist in the manufacture of a medicament for a memory improvement treatment.

In some embodiments, the implementation of the treatment improves cognitive function in the subject.

In some embodiments, the implementation of the treatment improves memory in the subject.

In some embodiments, the treatment is applied to a cognitive disorder.

In some embodiments, the treatment is applied to the memory disorder.

In some embodiments, the treatment is applied to a condition selected from the group consisting of age-related cognitive impairment, agnosia, amnesia, amnestic disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Angelman syndrome, Asperger's syndrome, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism , cerebral amyloid angiopathy, cognitive dysfunction, alcohol- or drug-induced cognitive impairment, delirium, dementia, AIDS-associated dementia, alcoholic dementia, Alzheimer's disease, brain injury-related dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and other types of prion-induced dementia , degenerative dementia, Huntington's disease, dementia associated with intracranial tumors, Lewy body disease, multi-infarct dementia, Parkinson's disease; ALS-parkinsonism-dementia complex, Pick's disease, persistent substance use dementia, vascular dementia, Dravet's syndrome, head injury, ischemia, learning disabilities, learning disorders, memory impairment, memory loss, mental retardation, mild cognitive impairment, post-traumatic stress disorder, Prader-Willi syndrome, progressive supranuclear palsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury, trisomy (including trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)) and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

In some embodiments, the treatment is applied to a disorder that affects cognitive function and/or memory functions. In some embodiments, the disorder that affects cognition and/or memory function is selected from anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and psychiatric disorders.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is a calcium channel antagonist that selectively targets T-type calcium channels.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is a calcium channel antagonist that selectively targets T-type calcium channels relative to L-type calcium channels.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is a small molecule.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is an antibody.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is a siRNA (small interfering RNA, siRNA).

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist selectively targets Cav3.1.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist selectively targets Cav3.2.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist selectively targets Cav3.3.

In some embodiments, T-type calcium channel antagonists antagonize T-type calcium channels in a cell when the cell's membrane potential is in the range of about -60 mV to about -30 mV, such as about -40 mV.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is selected from the group consisting of mibefradil, MK8998, diltiazem, nifedipine, nitrendipine, nimodipine, niludipine, niguldipine, nicardipine, nisoldipine, amlodipine, felodipine, isradipine, riosidin, gallopamil, verapamil, thiapamil, pimozide, thioridazine, NNC 55-0396, TTL-1177, anandamide, pimozide, penfluridol, clopimozide, fluspirilene, haloperidol, droperidol, benperidol, triperidol, melperone, lenperone, azaperone, domperidone, anthrafenin, aripiprazole, cipiprofloxacin, dropiprazol, dapiprofloxacin , itraconazole, ketoconazole, levodropropizine, mepiprazole, naftopidil, nefazodone, niaprazine, oxypertin, posaconazole, trazodone, urapidil, vesnarinone, manidipine, nilvadipine, benidipine, efonidipine, flunarizine, anandamide, lomerizine, zonisamide, N-92 55-0396, TTA-A2, TTA-A8, TTA-P1, 4-aminomethyl-4-fluoropiperidine (TTA-P2), TTA-Q3, TTA-Q6, MK-5395 (CX-53 95), MK-6526, MK-8998 (CX-8998), Z941, Z944, ethosuximide, fensuccimide, mesuccimide, desmethyl methsuccimide, efonidipine, trimethadione, dimethadione, ABT-639, TTL-1177, KYSO5044, nickel and curtoxin, and combinations thereof .

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is TTA-A2.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist substantially crosses the blood-brain barrier.

In some embodiments, the treatment further comprises administering to the subject an additional therapeutic agent.

In some embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is an additional T-type calcium channel inhibitor.

Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described in this application may be used in the practice of the present invention or when testing it, the following is a description of suitable methods and materials. All publications, patent applications, patents and other documents cited in the present description, are incorporated into the present description in its entirety by reference. If the citation contains the number of the first page of the cited document, it should be understood that a reference is given to the entire cited article. In case of conflict, the present description of the invention, including definitions, takes precedence. However, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a graph showing that vehicle-only cognition-deficient (AS) mice were LTP deficient compared to control mice, but administration of MK-8998 (“CX”) at 30 mg/kg or 60 mg /kg completely eliminated LTP deficiency in AS mice to levels similar to those observed in vehicle-treated control (wild-type (wt)) mice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the description of the present invention, voltage-gated T-type calcium channels are involved in the development of Dravet's syndrome (ie, severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy; SMEI). The present description also shows that the modulation of voltage-gated T-type calcium channels can be effective for the treatment of Dravet's syndrome.

I. Definitions

Unless otherwise indicated, all technical and scientific terms used in the present description have their generally accepted meanings, as they are commonly understood by specialists in the field of technology to which the present invention pertains.

Where the expressions "for example" and "such as" and their grammatical equivalents are used, it is understood that they are followed by the phrase "without limitation" unless expressly stated otherwise.

The singular also implies the plural, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The term "about" means "approximately" (eg, plus or minus about 10% of the specified value).

The term "small molecule" means an organic compound with a molecular weight of about 1000 or less.

The term "subject", referring to the subject receiving treatment, means any animal, including mammals, such as humans.

The phrase "therapeutically effective amount" refers to the amount of active compound or pharmaceutical agent that causes a biological or therapeutic response detectable by the researcher, veterinarian, physician or other clinician in a tissue, system, animal, individual or human.

The term "treatment" refers to one or more of: (1) disease prevention; for example, the prevention of a disease, condition, or disorder in an individual who may be predisposed to developing the disease, condition, or disorder, but who does not yet have or exhibits the pathology or symptoms of the disease; (2) suppression of the development of the disease; for example, inhibiting the development of a disease, condition, or disorder in an individual who has or exhibits the pathology or symptoms of the disease, condition, or disorder (ie, arresting the further development of the pathology and/or symptoms); and (3) disease relief; for example, alleviating a disease, condition, or disorder in an individual who has or exhibits the pathology or symptoms of the disease, condition, or disorder (i.e., regression of the pathology and/or symptoms), such as reducing the severity of the disease or reducing or alleviating one or more symptoms diseases.

The term "T-type calcium channel antagonists" refers to a substance that reduces the activity of T-type calcium channels, for example, through binding or inhibiting or otherwise blocking the activity of the channel, or by reducing the expression of T-type calcium channels.

The phrase "pharmaceutically acceptable" is used herein to refer to those compounds, materials, compositions and/or dosage forms which, within the bounds of sound medical judgment, are suitable for use in contact with human and animal tissues without causing undue toxicity, irritation, allergic reaction, or other problems or complications, and which are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.

It is understood that certain features of the invention, which are described in the context of separate embodiments for better understanding, may also be provided in combination in one of the embodiments. Conversely, various features of the invention, which for brevity are described in the context of one embodiment, may also be presented separately or in any suitable narrower combination.

In the present description, the following abbreviations and symbols may be used: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid); dsRNA (double-stranded RNA); g (gram); IC ₅₀ (half maximum inhibitory concentration); kg (kilogram); mg (milligram); mRNA (messenger RNA); RNA (ribonucleic acid); RNAi (RNA interference); miRNA (small interfering RNA); wt. (weight).

II. Methods of treatment

The present invention relates to a method for improving cognitive function, improving memory, treating cognitive disorders, treating memory disorders, treating cognitive symptoms of disorders that affect cognitive and/or memory functions. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering to a subject in need of treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a T-type calcium channel antagonist described herein. The subject being treated may include mice, rats, other rodents, rabbits, dogs, cats, pigs, cattle, sheep, horses, primates and humans. In some embodiments, the subject is a human.

The present invention relates to methods for improving cognitive function. In some embodiments, the method includes administering to a subject in need of treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a T-type calcium channel antagonist described herein.

The present invention relates to methods for improving memory. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering to a subject in need of treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a T-type calcium channel antagonist described herein.

The present invention relates to methods for treating cognitive disorders. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering to a subject in need of treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a T-type calcium channel antagonist described herein. In some embodiments, the cognitive disorders may be developmental cognitive disorders or neurocognitive disorders.

The present invention relates to methods for treating memory disorders. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering to a subject in need of treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a T-type calcium channel antagonist described herein.

The present invention relates to methods for treating cognitive symptoms of disorders that affect cognitive function and/or memory functions. Disorders that affect cognition and/or memory functions are selected from anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and psychiatric disorders. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering to a subject in need of treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a T-type calcium channel antagonist described herein.

In some embodiments, the implementation of the treatment improves cognitive function in the subject.

In some embodiments, the implementation of the treatment improves memory in the subject. In some embodiments, the implementation of the treatment improves short-term memory in the subject. In some embodiments, the implementation of the treatment improves the working memory of the subject. In some embodiments, the implementation of the treatment improves long-term memory in the subject. In some embodiments, the implementation of the treatment increases long-term potentiation in the subject.

In some embodiments, cognitive disorders, memory disorders, developmental cognitive disorders, neurocognitive disorders, or disorders that affect cognition and/or memory function (including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and psychiatric disorders) may be as defined by the criteria set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, "DSM 5", edited by the American Psychiatric Association (2013).

In some embodiments, cognitive and memory disorders may include age-related cognitive impairment, agnosia, amnesia, amnestic disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Angelman syndrome, Asperger's syndrome, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, cerebral amyloid angiopathy , cognitive dysfunction, cognitive impairment caused by alcohol or drugs, delirium, dementia, AIDS-associated dementia, alcoholic dementia, Alzheimer's disease, brain injury-related dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and other types of prion-induced dementia, degenerative dementia, Huntington's disease, dementia associated with intracranial tumors, Lewy body disease, multi-infarct dementia, Parkinson's disease; ALS-parkinsonism-dementia complex, Pick's disease, persistent substance use dementia, vascular dementia, Dravet's syndrome, head trauma, ischemia, learning disability, learning disorder, memory impairment, memory loss, mental retardation, mild cognitive impairment, post-traumatic stress disorder, Prader-Willi syndrome, progressive supranuclear palsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury, trisomy (including trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)) and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

In some embodiments, disorders that affect cognition and/or memory functions may include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and psychiatric disorders. Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, separation anxiety disorder, situational anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and selective mutism. Mood disorders include depressive disorders (eg, major depressive disorder, depressive disorder, atypical depression, melancholic depression, psychotic major depression, catatonic depression, postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder, dysthymia, dual depression, unspecified depressive disorder, depressive personality disorder, recurrent brief depression and mild depressive disorder), bipolar disorders (eg, bipolar disorder, bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cyclothymia, bipolar disorder unspecified), and substance use disorders (eg, those induced by alcohol or benzodiazepine use). Psychiatric disorders include schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, brief mental disorder, delusional disorder, or chronic hallucinatory psychosis.

Disorders that may affect cognition and/or memory function may include schizophrenia. Cognitive deficits are widely recognized as the main hallmark of schizophrenia. Deficiencies affecting cognition may include deficits in working memory, long-term memory, verbal declarative memory, semantic processing, episodic memory, attention, and learning (particularly verbal learning).

Treatment may be the administration of an effective dose of a particular compound. Examples of suitable doses in humans include doses in the range of about 1 mg to about 2000 mg, such as about 1 mg to about 2000 mg, about 2 mg to about 2000 mg, about 5 mg to about 2000 mg, about 10 mg to about 2000 mg, from about 20 mg to about 2000 mg, from about 50 mg to about 2000 mg, from about 100 mg to about 2000 mg, from about 150 mg to about 2000 mg, from about 200 mg to about 2000 mg , from about 250 mg to about 2000 mg, from about 300 mg to about 2000 mg, from about 400 mg to about 2000 mg, from about 500 mg to about 2000 mg, from about 1000 mg to about 2000 mg, from about 1 mg up to about 1000 mg, from about 2 mg to about 1000 mg, from about 5 mg to about 1000 mg, from about 10 mg to about 1000 mg, from about 20 mg to about 1000 mg, from about 50 mg to about 1000 mg, about 100 mg to about 1000 mg, about 150 mg to about 1000 mg, about 200 mg to about 1000 mg, from about 250 mg to about 1000 mg, from about 300 mg to about 1000 mg, from about 400 mg to about 1000 mg, from about 500 mg to about 1000 mg, from about 1 mg to about 500 mg, from about 2 mg to about 500 mg, about 5 mg to about 500 mg, about 10 mg to about 500 mg, about 20 mg to about 500 mg, about 50 mg to about 500 mg, about 100 mg to about 500 mg, about 150 mg to about 500 mg, about 200 mg to about 500 mg, about 1 mg to about 250 mg, about 2 mg to about 250 mg, about 5 mg to about 250 mg, about 10 mg to about 250 mg, about 20 mg to about 250 mg, about 50 mg to about 250 mg, about 100 mg to about 250 mg, about 1 mg to about 100 mg, about 2 mg to about 100 mg , from about 5 mg to about 100 mg, from about 10 mg to about 100 mg, from about 20 mg to about 100 mg, from about 50 mg to about 100 mg. Doses may be, for example, about 1 mg, about 2 mg, about 5 mg, about 10 mg, about 20 mg, about 50 mg, about 100 mg, about 150 mg, about 200 mg, about 250 mg, about 300 mg, about 400 mg, about 500 mg, about 1000 mg, about 1500 mg or about 2000 mg. Doses may be less than about 2000 mg, less than about 1500 mg, less than about 1000 mg, less than about 5000 mg, less than about 400 mg, less than about 250 mg, less than about 200 mg, less than about 150 mg, less than about 100 mg, less than about 50 mg, less than about 20 mg or less than about 10 mg. Each of the doses may be a dose administered at a frequency of once a day, twice a day, three times a day, or four times a day, or less than once a day. Each of the doses may also be a dose that is administered to an adult equivalent (proportional) to the dose administered to a pediatric patient.

The dose may be the dose that provides a plasma level (e.g., steady state or peak level) of about 100 ng/mL, about 200 ng/mL, 500 ng/mL, about 1 μg/mL, about 2 μg/mL , about 5 µg/ml, about 10 µg/ml, about 20 µg/ml, about 50 µg/ml, about 100 µg/ml, about 200 µg/ml, about 250 µg/ml or about 500 µg/ml, about 1000 mcg / ml or in the range between these values, or a concentration that is less than these values.

In some embodiments, treatment is continued for about 1 week or more. In some embodiments, treatment is continued for about 2 weeks or more. In some embodiments, treatment is continued for about 3 weeks or more. In some embodiments, treatment is continued for about 4 weeks or more. In some embodiments, treatment is continued for about 8 weeks or more. In some embodiments, treatment is continued for about 12 weeks or about 13 weeks or more. In some embodiments, treatment is continued for about 24 weeks or 26 weeks or more. In some embodiments, treatment is continued for about 6 months or more. In some embodiments, treatment is continued for about 12 months or more. In some embodiments, treatment is continued for about 18 months or more. In some embodiments, treatment is continued for about 24 months or more.

III. T-type calcium channel antagonists

The T-type calcium channel antagonist used in any of the methods described herein, or in any of its embodiments, may be one or more of the T-type calcium channel agonists described below.

The T-type calcium channel antagonist may be a human T-type calcium channel antagonist when the subject of treatment is a human.

The T-type calcium channel antagonist may be a small molecule. Examples of small molecule, T-type calcium channel antagonists that can be used in the methods provided herein include, without limitation, mibefradil, diltiazem, nifedipine, nitrendipine, nimodipine, niludipine, niguldipine, nicardipine, nisoldipine, amlodipine, felodipine, isradipine , riozidin, gallopamil, verapamil, thiapamil, pimozide, thioridazine, NNC 55-0396, TTL-1177, anandamide, benzazepine derivatives, diphenylbutylpiperidine derivatives (eg pimozide, penfluridol, clopimozide and fluspirilene), butyrophenone derivatives (eg haloperidol, droperidol, benperidol, triperidol, melperone, lenperone, azaperone, and domperidone) and phenylpiperazine derivatives (eg, anthrafenin, aripiprazole, ciprofloxacin, dapiprazole, dropropizine, etoperidone, itraconazole, ketoconazole, levodropropezine, mepiprazole, naftopidil, nefazodone, niaprazine, oxypertine, trazodone, urapidil and vesnarinone), dihydropyridine derivatives (eg manidipine, nilvadipine, benidipine and efonidipine) , flunarizine, anandamide, lomerizine, zonisamide, U-92032, tetralol, tetralol derivatives (eg mibefradil), mibefradil derivatives (eg NNC 55-0396 dihydrochloride), TTA-A2, TTA-A8, TTA-P1, 4-aminomethyl -4-fluoropiperidine (TTA-P2), TTA-Q3, TTA-Q6, MK-5395, MK-6526, MK-8998, Z941, Z944, succinimide anticonvulsants (eg, ethosuximide, fensuccinimide, and mesuccinimide, also known as metsuccinimide , N-desmethylmetsuccinimide, also known as (alpha)-methyl-(alpha)-phenyl-succinimide) and efonidipine (e.g. (R)-efonidipine), trimethadione, dimethadione, ABT-639, TTL-1177, KYSO5044, curtoxin. Any of the T-type calcium channel inhibitors may be in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. The structures of typical T-type calcium channel inhibitors are shown below.

In some embodiments, the small molecule T-type calcium channel antagonist may be selected from the group consisting of compounds described in patents as well as in published patent applications, as indicated in Giordanetto et al., "T-type calcium channels inhibitors: a patent review”, Expert Opin. Ther. Pat., 2011, 21, 85–101, включая WO2004035000, WO9304047, WO2006098969, WO2009009015, WO2007002361, WO2007002884, WO2007120729, WO2009054982, WO2009054983, WO2009054984, US20090270413, WO2008110008, WO2009146539, WO2009146540, US8, 133,998, WO2010083264, WO2006023881, WO2006023883, WO2005007124, WO2005009392, US2005245535, WO2007073497, WO200707852, WO2008033447, WO2008033456, WO2008033460, WO2008033464, WO2008033465, WO2008050200, WO20081 17148, WO2009056934, EP1568695, WO2008007835, KR754325, US7319098, US20100004286, EP1757590, KR2009044924, US2010094006, WO2009035307, US20090325979, KR75758317, WO2008018655 , US20080293786 and US20100056545, each of these documents is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is a small molecule. In some embodiments, the small molecule has a molecular weight of 1000 or less, such as about 900 or less, about 800 or less, about 700 or less, about 600 or less, about 500 or less, about 400 or less, or in the range of about 100 to about 500, about 200 to about 500, about 200 to about 400, about 300 to about 400, or about 300 to about 500.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is a selective T-type calcium channel antagonist. "Selective" as used herein means that the T-type calcium channel antagonist is more potent at antagonizing T-type calcium channels than other types of calcium channels, e.g., any one or more of the L-type calcium channels. , N-type, P-type, Q-type and/or R-type, for example, compared to L-type calcium channels. Selectivity can be determined, for example, by comparing the IC ₅₀ of a compound in inhibiting T-type calcium channels with its IC ₅₀ in inhibiting other types of calcium channels: if the IC ₅₀ for inhibiting T-type channels is lower than the IC ₅₀ for inhibiting other types of calcium channels , the compound is considered selective. An IC ₅₀ ratio of 0.1 (or less) means 10-fold (or more) selectivity. An IC ₅₀ ratio of 0.01 (or less) means 100-fold (or more) selectivity. An IC ₅₀ ratio of 0.001 (or less) means 1000-fold (or more) selectivity. In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist has a selectivity for T-type calcium channels that is 10-fold or more, 100-fold or more, or 1000-fold or more compared to selectivity for other types of calcium channels, for example, any one or more L-type, N-type, P-type, Q-type, and/or R-type calcium channels, eg, L-type calcium channels.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is a selective T-type calcium channel inhibitor selected from the group consisting of fensuccimide, methsuccimide, methyl-phenyl-succinimide, the R isomer of efonidipine, trimethadione, dimethadione, mibefradil, TTA-A2 , TTA-A8, TTA-P1, TTA-P2, TTA-Q3, TTA-Q6, MK-5395, MK-6526, MK-8998, Z941, Z944, ABT-639, TTL-1177, KYSO5044, N C 55- 0396 dihydrochloride, curtoxin or their derivatives.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is a calcium channel antagonist that selectively targets T-type calcium channels relative to L-type calcium channels.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is TTA-A2.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be different from verapamil. Treatment can be carried out without taking verapamil. In some embodiments, the T-type calcium antagonist is administered in combination with verapamil.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be different from ethosuccimide. Treatment can be carried out without taking ethosuccimide. In some embodiments, the T-type calcium antagonist is administered in combination with ethosuccimide.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be different from zonisamide. Treatment can be carried out without taking zonisamide. In some embodiments, the T-type calcium antagonist is administered in combination with zonisamide.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be different from dimethadione. Treatment can be carried out without taking dimethadione. In some embodiments, the T-type calcium antagonist is administered in combination with dimethadione.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be different from valproate. Treatment can be carried out without taking valproate. In some embodiments, the T-type calcium antagonist is administered in combination with valproate.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be different from topiramate. Treatment can be carried out without taking topiramate. In some embodiments, the T-type calcium antagonist is administered in combination with topiramate.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be other than a cannabinoid, such as cannabidiol or tetrahydrocannabinol. Treatment may be carried out without taking a cannabinoid such as cannabidiol or tetrahydrocannabinol. In some embodiments, the T-type calcium antagonist is administered in combination with a cannabinoid such as cannabidiol or tetrahydrocannabinol.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be a molecule that does not act as a T-type calcium channel pore blocker. The T-type calcium channel antagonist may be, for example, an allosteric inhibitor of T-type calcium channels.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be an antagonist that has little or no effect on one or more sodium channels, such as sodium channels having the alpha subunits Nav1.1, Nav1.2, Nav1.3, Nav1.4, Nav1.5, Nav1.6, Nav1.7, Nav1.8 or Nav1.9 and/or Navβ1, Navβ2, Navβ3, Navβ4 subunits. A T-type calcium channel antagonist may be selective for T-type calcium channels over sodium channel inhibition, e.g., having at least 2-fold, at least 5-fold, at least 10-fold, at least at least 20-fold, at least 100-fold, at least 500-fold or at least 1000-fold selectivity (expressed, for example, in units of K _i ). The T-type calcium channel inhibitor can be an inhibitor that substantially does not reduce non-inactivating sodium current in thalamocortical neurons, e.g., an inhibitor that reduces inactivating sodium current by about 20% or less, about 10% or less, about 5% or less , about 2% or less, or about 1% or less.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be an antagonist that has little or no effect on one or more potassium channels, such as calcium-activated potassium channels (BK channels, SK channels, IK channels), internal potassium channels rectifiers (ROMK, GPCR-regulated, ATP-sensitive), potassium channels with a tandem of pore domains (TWIK (TWIK-1, TWIK-2, KCNK7), TREK (TREK-1, TREK-2, TRAAK), TASK (TASK- 1, TASK-3, TASK-5), TALK (TASK-2, TALK-1, TALK-2), THIK (THIK-1, THIK-2), TRESK) or voltage-gated potassium channels (hERG, KvLQT, KvLQT2). A T-type calcium channel antagonist may be selective for T-type calcium channels over potassium channel inhibition, e.g., having at least 2-fold, at least 5-fold, at least 10-fold, at least at least 20-fold, at least 100-fold, at least 500-fold or at least 1000-fold selectivity (expressed, for example, in units of K _i ).

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist can be an antagonist that has little or no effect on one or more GABA receptors, such as GABA _A receptors, GABA _A-p subclass (GABA _C ) receptors, or GABA _B receptors. In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be an antagonist that has little or no effect on one or more GABA _A receptor subunits, such as α-subunits (GABAA1, GABA2, GABA3, GABA4, GABA5, GABA6), β-subunits (GABAB1, GABAB2, GABAB3), γ-subunits (GABAG1, GABAG2, GABAG3), δ-subunits (GABAD), ε-subunits (GABAE), π-subunits (GABAP), θ-subunits (GABAQ), in particular GABA5 , GABA B3 and GABA G5. A T-type calcium channel antagonist may be selective for T-type calcium channels over inhibition of GABA receptors, e.g., having at least 2-fold, at least 5-fold, at least 10-fold, at least at least 20-fold, at least 100-fold, at least 500-fold or at least 1000-fold selectivity (expressed, for example, in units of _Ki or binding affinity).

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be an antagonist that has little or no effect on one or more cannabinoid receptors, such as cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1) or cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2). In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be an antagonist that has little or no effect on CB1 receptors. In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be an antagonist that has little or no effect on CB2 receptors. A T-type calcium channel antagonist may be selective for T-type calcium channels over inhibition of CB1 and/or CB2 receptors, e.g., having at least 2-fold, at least 5-fold, at least 10-fold multiple, at least 20-fold, at least 100-fold, at least 500-fold or at least 1000-fold selectivity (expressed, for example, in units of K _i or binding affinity).

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be an antagonist that has little or no effect on brain GABA levels (eg, CNS levels). A T-type calcium channel antagonist may be selective for T-type calcium channels over an increase in GABA concentrations, e.g., having at least 2-fold, at least 5-fold, at least 10-fold, at least at least 20-fold, at least 100-fold, at least 500-fold, or at least 1000-fold selectivity (expressed, for example, in units of _Ki or binding affinity, compared to an effective dose of ED ₅₀ to increase the concentration of GABA ).

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be an antagonist that has little or no effect on one or more AMPA or kainate glutamate receptors, such as AMPA receptors containing GluR1, GluR2, GluR3, or GluR4, for example, combining two units of GluR2 with two units of GluR1, two units of GluR3 or two units of GluR4 and/or kainate receptors containing GluR5, GluR6, GluR7, KA1 and/or KA2 receptors. In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be an antagonist that has little or no effect on one or more of the AMPA and/or kainite receptor subunits, such as described above. A T-type calcium channel antagonist may be selective for T-type calcium channels over inhibition of AMPA or kainate receptors, for example, having at least 2-fold, at least 5-fold, at least 10-fold, at least 20-fold, at least 100-fold, at least 500-fold or at least 1000-fold selectivity (expressed, for example, in units of _Ki or binding affinity).

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be an antagonist that does not substantially inhibit histone deacetylase. A T-type calcium channel antagonist may be selective for T-type calcium channels over inhibition of histone deacetylase, for example, having at least 2-fold, at least 5-fold, at least 10-fold, at least at least 20-fold, at least 100-fold, at least 500-fold, or at least 1000-fold selectivity (expressed, for example, in units of _Ki or binding affinity compared to IC ₅₀ for histone deacetylase inhibition).

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be an antagonist that does not substantially inhibit GABA transaminase. A T-type calcium channel antagonist may be selective for T-type calcium channels over inhibition of GABA transaminase, for example, having at least 2-fold, at least 5-fold, at least 10-fold, at least 20-fold, at least 100-fold, at least 500-fold, or at least 1000-fold selectivity (expressed, for example, in units of _Ki or binding affinity compared to IC ₅₀ for GABA transaminase inhibition) .

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be an antagonist that does not substantially inhibit succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase. A T-type calcium channel antagonist may be selective for T-type calcium channels over inhibition of succinate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase, for example, having at least 2-fold, at least 5-fold, at least 10-fold, at least 20-fold, at least 100-fold, at least 500-fold, or at least 1000-fold selectivity (expressed, for example, in units of _Ki or binding affinity compared to IC ₅₀ for inhibition of succinate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase).

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be an antagonist that does not substantially inhibit carbonic anhydrase or one or more of its isoenzymes. The T-type calcium channel antagonist may be selective for T-type calcium channels over carbonic anhydrase inhibition, e.g., having at least 2-fold, at least 5-fold, at least 10-fold, at least 20-fold, at least 100-fold, at least 500-fold or at least 1000-fold selectivity (expressed, for example, in units of _Ki or binding affinity compared to IC ₅₀ for carbonic anhydrase inhibition).

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be an antagonist that, when administered to animals, such as humans, does not cause one or more of the following side effects or adverse events: liver damage, morphological changes in the liver of animals, functional changes in the liver of animals, kidney damage, morphological changes in the kidneys of animals, functional changes in the kidneys of animals, systemic lupus erythematosus, suicidal thoughts, suicidal behavior, suicidal ideation, increased risk of suicide, occurrence or worsening of symptoms of depression, unusual changes in mood or behavior, birth defects, allergic reaction.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist may be an antagonist that, when administered to animals, does not cause one or more of the following side effects or adverse events: gastrointestinal adverse events such as anorexia, unspecified indigestion, nausea, and vomiting, convulsions, pain in the epigastric and abdominal cavity, weight loss, diarrhea, hypertrophy and swelling of the gums; adverse events affecting the hematopoietic system such as leukopenia, agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, with or without bone marrow suppression and eosinophilia; adverse effects affecting the nervous system, including neurological reactions, sensory reactions, or mental or psychological abnormalities such as drowsiness, headache, dizziness, euphoria, hiccups, irritability, hyperactivity, lethargy, fatigue, ataxia, confusion, sleep disturbances, night terrors , inability to concentrate, aggressiveness, paranoid psychosis, increased libido, or an increased state of depression with obvious suicidal intent; adverse events affecting the integumentary system, including dermatological manifestations such as urticaria, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, pruritic erythematous rash and hirsutism; adverse events affecting the senses, such as myopia; and adverse events affecting the genitourinary system such as vaginal bleeding or microscopic hematuria.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is an antibody. Various methods for producing antibodies are known in the art. See, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, CSH Press, Eds., Harlow, and Lane (1988); Harlow, Antibodies, Cold Spring Harbor Press, NY (1989). For example, antibodies can be obtained by immunizing a suitable mammalian host with a sample of whole cells obtained from a patient. Antibodies can be obtained by cell culture methods, including the generation of monoclonal antibodies described in this application, or by transfection of antibody genes into suitable bacterial or mammalian host cells to produce recombinant antibodies.

In some embodiments, the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. A "monoclonal antibody" is an antibody derived from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, i. the antibodies that make up the population are identical except for possible naturally occurring mutations that are present in minor amounts.

In some embodiments, the implementation of the antibody presented in this application can be obtained by recombinant methods. In some embodiments, the antibody is a "humanized" or human antibody. "Humanized" or human antibodies can also be made and are preferred for therapeutic use. Methods for humanizing murine and other non-human antibodies by replacing one or more non-human antibody sequences with corresponding human antibody sequences are well known. See, for example, Jones et al., Nature, 1986, 321, 522–25; Riechmann et al., Nature 1988, 332, 323–27; Verhoeyen et al., Science, 1988, 239, 1534–36, Carter et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. sci. USA, 1993, 89, 4285; and Sims et al., J. Immunol., 1993, 151, 2296. These humanized antibodies are designed to minimize unwanted immunological response to rodent anti-human antibody molecules, which limits the duration and effectiveness of the therapeutic use of these fragments in human recipients. Accordingly, the preferred antibodies used in the therapeutic methods described herein are antibodies that are either fully human or humanized, have high affinity, but have low or no antigenicity in the subject.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is an oligonucleotide inhibitor. Examples of oligonucleotide inhibitors include, without limitation, antisense oligonucleotides, RNAi, dsRNA, siRNA, and ribozymes. In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is an siRNA. As used herein, an "antisense oligonucleotide" refers to a single stranded DNA or RNA fragment, usually chemically modified, whose sequence (3'-5') is complementary to the sense sequence of an mRNA molecule. Antisense molecules effectively inhibit gene expression by forming RNA/DNA duplexes. Antisense refers to various mechanisms at work, including physically blocking the ability of ribosomes to move along messenger RNA and accelerating the rate at which mRNA is degraded in the cytosol.

To avoid DNase digestion, antisense oligonucleotides can be chemically modified. For example, phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides are stabilized to resist nuclease cleavage by replacing a single non-bridging oxygen of a phosphoryl group in DNA with a sulfur group. Improved stability of antisense oligonucleotides can also be achieved by using molecules with 2-methoxyethyl (MOE) substituted backbones as described generally in US Pat. Thus, an antisense oligonucleotide can be modified to improve in vivo stability relative to an unmodified oligonucleotide of the same sequence. The modification may be, for example, the (2'-O-2-methoxyethyl) modification. The backbone of the oligonucleotide can be completely phosphorothioate, and the sugar fragments of nucleotides 1-4 and 18-21 can contain 2'-O-methoxyethyl modifications, while the remaining nucleotides can be 2'-deoxynucleotides.

It is apparent in the art that an antisense oligonucleotide need not have 100% complement identity to its target sequence to be effective. Therefore, antisense oligonucleotides may have a sequence that is at least about 70% identical to the complement of the target sequence. In one embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotides may have a sequence that is at least about 80% identical to the complement of the target sequence. In other embodiments, they have a sequence that is at least about 90% identical or at least about 95% identical to the complement of the target sequence, which allows for gaps (gaps) or multiple base mismatches. The identity can be determined, for example, using the BLASTN program of the software engineering group (GCG) of the University of Wisconsin.

Antisense oligonucleotides of the present invention are typically 7 to 100 nucleotides in length. In one embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotides comprise from about 7 to about 50 nucleotides or nucleotide analogs. In another embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotides contain from about 7 to about 35 nucleotides or nucleotide analogs. In other embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides comprise from about 12 to about 35 nucleotides or nucleotide analogs and from about 15 to about 25 nucleotides or nucleotide analogs.

The oligonucleotide inhibitors of the present invention may be siRNA molecules that target a gene of interest, the siRNA sequence corresponding to a portion of said gene. The RNA molecules used in the present invention usually contain an RNA part and some additional part, such as a deoxyribonucleotide part.

The present invention also relates to ribozyme oligonucleotide modulators that specifically target mRNA encoding a protein of interest, such as proteins containing a T-type calcium channel. Ribozymes are RNA molecules that have enzymatic activity that allows the ribozyme to repeatedly cleave specific nucleotide sequences of other individual RNA molecules. Such enzymatic RNA molecules can be targeted to virtually any mRNA transcript, allowing for efficient in vitro cleavage. Kim et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. sci. USA, 1987, 84, 8788; Haseloff et al., Nature, 1988, 334, 585; Cech, JAMA, 1988, 260, 3030; and Jefferies et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1989, 17, 1371.

As a rule, a ribozyme contains two parts located in close proximity to each other: an mRNA-binding part, which has a sequence complementary to the target mRNA sequence, and a catalytic part, which cleaves the target mRNA. The ribozyme acts first by recognizing and binding the target mRNA through complementary base pairing through the ribozyme binding site of the target mRNA. After specific binding to its target, the ribozyme catalyzes the cleavage of the target mRNA. This strategic cleavage impairs the ability of the target mRNA to direct the synthesis of the encoded protein. After binding and cleaving the target mRNA, the ribozyme is released and can rebind and cleave new target mRNA molecules.

In some embodiments, the selective T-type calcium channel antagonist substantially crosses the blood-brain barrier.

In some embodiments, the selective T-type calcium channel antagonist substantially does not cross the blood-brain barrier.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is a calcium channel antagonist that selectively targets T-type calcium channels. In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist is a small molecule as described herein.

In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist selectively targets Cav3.1. In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist selectively targets Cav3.2. In some embodiments, the T-type calcium channel antagonist selectively targets Cav3.3. "Selective" as used herein means that a T-type calcium channel antagonist is more effective at antagonizing one T-type calcium channel relative to another type of calcium channel, for example, more effective at antagonizing Cav3.1 than Cav3.2 or with Cav3.3 or both; more effective at antagonizing Cav3.2 compared to Cav3.1 or Cav3.3 or both; more effective at antagonizing Cav3.3 than Cav3.1 or Cav3.2 or both. Selectivity can be determined, for example, by comparing the IC ₅₀ of a compound in inhibiting one type of T-type calcium channel with its IC ₅₀ in inhibiting other types of T-type calcium channel: if the IC ₅₀ in inhibiting one type of T-type channel is lower than the IC ₅₀ when inhibiting another type of T-type calcium channel, the compound is considered selective. An IC ₅₀ ratio of 0.1 (or less) means 10-fold (or more) selectivity. An IC ₅₀ ratio of 0.01 (or less) means 100-fold (or more) selectivity. An IC ₅₀ ratio of 0.001 (or less) means 1000-fold (or more) selectivity. In some embodiments, the selectivity for Cav3.1, Cav3.2, or Cav3.3 is 10-fold or greater, 100-fold or greater, or 1000-fold or greater.

In some embodiments, a T-type calcium channel antagonist selectively targets T-type calcium channels (e.g., Cav3.1, Cav3.2, and/or Cav3.3) relative to sodium channels, such as sodium channels having Nav1.1 alpha subunits. , Nav1.2, Nav1.3, Nav1.4, Nav1.5, Nav1.6, Nav1.7, Nav1.8 or Nav1.9 and/or Navβ1, Navβ2, Navβ3, Navβ4 subunits. A T-type calcium channel antagonist may be selective for T-type calcium channels over sodium channel inhibition. Selectivity can be determined, for example, by comparing the IC ₅₀ of a compound in inhibiting T-type calcium channels with its IC ₅₀ in inhibiting one or more types of sodium channels: if the IC ₅₀ in inhibiting T-type calcium channels is lower than the IC ₅₀ in inhibiting sodium channels, the connection is considered selective. An IC ₅₀ ratio of 0.1 (or less) means 10-fold (or more) selectivity. An IC ₅₀ ratio of 0.01 (or less) means 100-fold (or more) selectivity. An IC ₅₀ ratio of 0.001 (or less) means 1000-fold (or more) selectivity. In some embodiments, the selectivity for T-type calcium channels is 10-fold or greater, 100-fold or greater, or 1000-fold or greater.

The effectiveness of a compound in inhibiting T-type calcium channels may vary depending on the state of the T-type calcium channel that the T-type calcium channel antagonist inhibits. T-type calcium channels can occur in different states depending on the potential of the cell membrane. T-type calcium channel antagonists that are effective in the methods described herein may include T-type calcium channel antagonists that block T-type calcium channels when the membrane potential is in the range of about -60 mV to about -30 mV , for example, preferably at about -40 mV. A membrane potential "in the range of about -60 to about -30 mV" may include membrane potentials in the range of -70 mV to -20 mV or in the range of -65 mV to -25 mV, and may also cover membrane potential ranges such as as from about -40 mV to about -30 mV, from about -50 mV to about -30 mV, from about -70 mV to about -30 mV, from about -50 mV to about -40 mV, from about -60 mV to about -40 mV, about -70 mV to about -40 mV, from about -60 mV to about -50 mV, and from about -70 to about -50 mV, and also about -30 mV, about -40 mV, about -50 mV and approximately -60 mV. In some embodiments, T-type calcium channel antagonists that are effective in the methods described herein may include T-type calcium channel antagonists that block T-type calcium channels when the membrane potential is in the range from about -100 mV to about -80 mV, for example, preferably at about -90 mV. A membrane potential "in the range of about -100 to about -80 mV" may include membrane potentials in the range of -110 mV to -70 mV, or in the range of -105 mV to -75 mV, and may also cover membrane potential ranges such as as about -100 mV to about -80 mV, about -90 mV to about -80 mV, and about -100 mV to about -90 mV, as well as about -100 mV, about -90 mV, and about -80 mV .

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that T-type calcium channel antagonists that are effective in the methods described herein may include T-type calcium channel antagonists that selectively block T-type calcium channels when the membrane potential is at range from about -60 mV to about -30 mV, for example at about -40 mV, compared with T-type calcium channel blockade, when the membrane potential is in the range from about -100 mV to about -80 mV, for example, at about -90 mV.

When the membrane potential is about -40 mV, an effective T-type channel inhibitor can inhibit T-type calcium channels with an IC ₅₀ value for inhibition of T-type calcium channels of about 10 μM or less, for example, about 1 μM or less, about 500 nM or less, about 100 nM or less, about 50 nM or less, about 10 nM or less, about 5 nM or less, or about 1 nM or less. An effective T-type calcium channel antagonist can selectively inhibit T-type calcium channels at a membrane potential of about -40 mV compared to inhibition of T-type calcium channels at a membrane potential of about -90 mV. For example, the ratio of the IC ₅₀ of a T-type calcium channel antagonist in T-type calcium channel inhibition, which is selective at a membrane potential of about -40 mV, compared to T-type calcium channel inhibition at a membrane potential of about -90 mV, may be about 1:2 or less, e.g., about 1:5 or less, about 1:10 or less, about 1:20 or less, about 1:50 or less, about 1:100 or less, about 1:500 or less, about 1:1000 or less. In some embodiments, the selectivity for inhibition of T-type calcium channels at about -40 mV is 2-fold or greater, 5-fold or greater, 10-fold or greater, 100-fold or greater, or 1000-fold or greater relative to inhibition. T-type calcium channels at about –90 mV.

When the membrane potential is about -90 mV, an effective T-type channel inhibitor can inhibit T-type calcium channels with an IC ₅₀ value for inhibition of T-type calcium channels of about 10 μM or less, for example, about 1 μM or less, about 500 nM or less, about 100 nM or less, about 50 nM or less, about 10 nM or less, about 5 nM or less, or about 1 nM or less. An effective T-type calcium channel antagonist can selectively inhibit T-type calcium channels at a membrane potential of approximately -90 mV compared to inhibition of T-type calcium channels at a membrane potential of approximately -40 mV. For example, the ratio of the IC ₅₀ of a T-type calcium channel antagonist in T-type calcium channel inhibition, which is selective at a membrane potential of about -90 mV, compared to T-type calcium channel inhibition at a membrane potential of about -40 mV, may be about 1:2 or less, e.g., about 1:5 or less, about 1:10 or less, about 1:20 or less, about 1:50 or less, about 1:100 or less, about 1:500 or less, about 1:1000 or less. In some embodiments, the selectivity of T-type calcium channel inhibition at about -90 mV is 2-fold or greater, 5-fold or greater, 10-fold or greater, 100-fold or greater, or 1000-fold or greater relative to inhibition. T-type calcium channels at approximately –40 mV.

All compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be present with other substances such as water and solvents (eg hydrates and solvates) or may be isolated. In some embodiments, the compounds provided herein, or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, are essentially isolated. "Substantially isolated" means that the compound is at least partially or substantially completely separated from the environment in which it was formed or found. A partial separation may include, for example, a composition enriched with the compounds provided herein. "Substantially isolated" may include compositions containing at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 95 %, at least about 97%, or at least about 99% by weight of the compounds presented in the present description, or their salts. Methods for isolating compounds and their salts are conventional methods in the art.

As used herein, the term "pharmaceutically acceptable salts" refers to derivatives of the disclosed compounds in which the parent compound is modified by converting an existing acid or base moiety to its salt form. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, without limitation, mineral or organic acid salts of basic residues such as amines; alkali or organic salts of acid residues such as carboxylic acids; etc. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts according to the present application include conventional non-toxic salts of the parent compound, formed, for example, from non-toxic inorganic or organic acids. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts according to the present application can be synthesized by conventional chemical methods from the original connection, which contains a basic or acidic fragment. Typically, such salts can be prepared by reacting the free acidic or basic forms of these compounds with a stoichiometric amount of a suitable base or acid in water or in an organic solvent or a mixture of the two; in general, non-aqueous media such as ether, ethyl acetate, alcohols (eg methanol, ethanol, isopropanol or butanol) or acetonitrile are preferred. Lists of suitable salts can be found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 1985, p. 1418 and Journal of Pharmaceutical Science, 66, 2 (1977). Methods for preparing salt forms are described, for example, in the Handbook of Pharmaceutical Salts: Properties, Selection, and Use, Wiley-VCH, 2002.

IV. Types of combination therapy

For treatment to improve memory and/or cognitive function, the compounds provided herein may be used in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents. Examples of additional therapeutic agents include, without limitation, calcium channel antagonists (including L-type and T-type calcium channel antagonists). A combination of drugs may be safer or more effective than taking a single drug. In addition, the compounds of the invention may be used in combination with one or more other medicinal substances that provide treatment, prevention, control, amelioration, or reduction in the risk of side effects or toxicity of the compounds of the invention. Such other medicinal substances may be administered in the manner and in the amount in which they are usually used, simultaneously or sequentially with the compounds of the present invention. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include compositions which, in addition to the T-type calcium channel inhibitor, contain one or more other active ingredients. Combinations can be administered as part of a combined product in a single dosage form or as a treatment kit or protocol in which one or more additional drugs are administered as separate dosage forms as part of a therapeutic regimen.

In some embodiments, treatment with a T-type calcium channel antagonist may be carried out in the absence of additional therapeutic agents useful in improving cognitive function and/or memory. In some embodiments, treatment may be with a single T-type calcium channel antagonist. In some embodiments, treatment with a T-type calcium channel antagonist may be carried out in the absence of an additional therapeutic agent used to treat the disease or condition being treated.

Examples of calcium channel antagonists include, without limitation, the T-type calcium channel antagonists described herein and the L-type calcium channel antagonists. In some embodiments, the additional calcium channel antagonist is selected from the T-type calcium channel antagonist described herein. In some embodiments, the additional calcium channel antagonist is an L-type calcium channel antagonist. In some embodiments, the additional calcium channel antagonist is a T-type calcium channel antagonist. In some embodiments, the additional calcium channel antagonist is a T-type calcium channel antagonist selected from the group consisting of mibefradil, MK-5395, MK-6526, MK-8998, and Z944. In some embodiments, the additional calcium channel antagonist is a T-type calcium channel antagonist and an L-type calcium channel antagonist. In some embodiments, the additional calcium channel antagonist is a T-type calcium channel antagonist or an L-type calcium channel antagonist selected from the group consisting of ACT-28077, mibefradil, and TTL-1177. In some embodiments, the additional calcium channel antagonist is mibefradil.

For the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, or a related condition, a T-type calcium channel inhibitor may be used in combination with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil and rivastigmine, an NMDA antagonist such as memantine, a muscarinic receptor modulator, an AMPA receptor modulator, a mGluR3 receptor modulator , alpha-7 and/or alpha-4 beta-2 nicotinic receptor modulator, 5-HT6 or 5-HT4 receptor modulator, phosphodiesterase (PDE) modulator, alpha-2c receptor antagonist, histone deacetylase therapy or antioxidant therapy.

A T-type calcium channel inhibitor may be used in combination with therapies that may alter or modify the course of the disease, including beta-amyloid-modulating therapies such as BACE1 inhibitors, gamma-secretase modulators, tau and/or phosphorus-tau modulators, and biological therapies that modulate plaques associated with neurological disorders, including antibodies, RNAi, microRNAs, and cell therapy.

In some embodiments (e.g., for the treatment of a cognitive disorder and/or a condition characterized by neurodegeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease), a T-type calcium channel inhibitor can be used in combination with, e.g., donepezil, tacrine, rivastigmine, memantine ( AXURA®, AKATINOL®, NAMENDA®, EBIXA®, ABIXA®), aricept, physostigmine, nicotine, arecoline, huperzine alfa, selegiline, Rilutek® (riluzole), levodopa with carbidopa (SINEMET® or SINEMET®), levodopa with benserazide ( PROLOPA® or MADOPAR®), entacapone (COMTAN® or TASMAR®), dopamine agonists (such as pramiprexol (MIRAPEX®), ropinirole (REQUIP®), bromocriptine (PARLODEL®), and pergolide (PERMAX®)), amantadine (SYMMETREL®) ), benztropine (COGENTIN®), trihexyphenidyl (ARTANE®), deprenyl (ELDEPRYL®), etc.

In some embodiments (eg, for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and the like), the neuropharmaceutical may be an antipsychotic drug. Examples of antipsychotic drugs include, without limitation, butyrophenone (eg, haloperidol (HALDOL®) and droperidol (DROLEPTAN®)); phenothiazine (eg, chlorpromazine (THORAZINE®), fluphenazine (PROLIXIN®), perphenazine (TRILAFON®), prochlorperazine (COMPAZINE®), thioridazine (MELLARIL®), trifluoroperazine (STELAZINE®), mesoridazine, promazine, triflupromazine (VESPRIN®), levomepromazine (NOZINAN®) and promethazine (PHENERGAN®)); thioxanthene (eg chlorprothixene (CLOXAN®, TARACTAN®, TRUXAL®), clopenthixol (SORDINAL®), flupenthixol (DEPIXOL®, FLUANXOL®), thiothixene (NAVANE®) and zuclopenthixol (CLOPIXOL®, ACUPHASE®)); clozapine (CLOZARIL®); olanzapine (ZYPREXA®); risperidone (RISPERDAL®, RISPERDAL CONSTA®); quetiapine (SEROQUEL®); ziprasidone (GEODON®); amisulpride (SOLIAN®); asenapine (SAPHRIS®); paliperidone (INVEGA®); iloperidone (FANAPT®); zotepine (NIPOLEPT®, LOSIZOPILON®, LODOPIN®, SETOUS®); sertindole (SERDOLECT®); aripiprazole (ABILIFY®); dopamine partial agonists (BIFEPRUNOX®, NORCLOZAPINE® (ACP-104)); lamotrigine (LAMICTAL®); memantine (AXURA®, AKATINOL®, NAMENDA®, EBIXA®, ABIXA®); tetrabenazine (NITOMAN®, XENAZINE®); cannabidiol; LY2140023 etc.

In some embodiments (eg, for the treatment of depression, panic disorder, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), etc.), a T-type calcium channel inhibitor may be used in combination with an antidepressant and/or a mood stabilizer. Examples of antidepressants include, without limitation, a tricyclic antidepressant (eg, IMIPRAMINE® and variants thereof); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) (eg, fluoxetine (PROZAC®), paroxetine (PAXIL®, SEROXAT®), escitalopram (LEXAPRO®, ESIPRAM®), citalopram (CELEXA®), sertraline (ZOLOFT®), and fluvoxamine (LUVOX ®)); a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRT) (eg venlafaxine (EFFEXOR®)); milnacipram and duloxetine (CYMBALTA®); noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NASSA) (eg mirtazapine (AVANZA®, ZISPIN®, REMERON®) and mianserin); a norepinephrine (norepinephrine) reuptake inhibitor (NRI) (eg, reboxetine (EDRONAX®)); a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (eg, bupropion (WELLBUTRIN®, ZYBAN®)); amitriptyline; nortriptyline; protriptyline; desipramine; trimipramine; amoxapine; bupropion; bupropion SR; S-citalopram; clomipramine; doxepin; isocarboxazid; velafaxin XR; tranylcypromine; trazodone; nefazodon; phenelzine; lamatrogin; lithium; topiramate; gabapentin; carbamazepine; oxacarbazepine; valproate; maprotiline; mirtazapine; brofaromine; gepirone; moclobemide; isoniazid; iproniazid, etc.

In some embodiments (for example, for the treatment of ADD or ADHD), a T-type calcium channel inhibitor may be used in combination with an ADHD drug such as a statin, amphetamine, modafinil, deoxin, methamphetamine, cocaine, arecoline, dexmethylphenidate (Focalin, Focalin XR), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dexedrine Spansules, Dextroamphetamine ER, Dextrostat), methylphenidate (Concerta, Deutran, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Metilin, Metilin ER, Ritalin, Ritalin-LA, Ritalin-SR), lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvans) , amphetamine mixed salts (Adderall, Adderall XR), atomoxetine (Strattera), clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres), guanfacine hydrochloride (Tenex), arecoline, or pemoline.

In some embodiments, the therapy may be provided as monotherapy. In some embodiments, therapy may be provided in the absence of additional antiepileptic therapy. Therapy may be provided in the absence of any of the additional agents described in this section. For example, therapy may be carried out in the absence of additional agents.

One or more additional therapeutic agents can be administered to the patient simultaneously or sequentially using the same or different administration schedules, which are usually determined by the particular combination used and the judgment of the prescribing physician.

V. Pharmaceutical compositions

The T-type calcium channel inhibitors used in the methods described herein can be administered in the form of pharmaceutical compositions. Thus, the present invention relates to a T-type calcium channel inhibitor and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for use in the claimed methods of treatment or for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of the conditions described in this application. These compositions may be prepared in a manner known in the pharmaceutical art and may be administered in a variety of ways. Administration may be topical (including transdermal, epidermal, ophthalmic, and mucosal applications, including intranasal, vaginal, and rectal delivery), pulmonary (eg, by inhalation or insufflation of powders or aerosols, including by nebulizer; intratracheal or intranasal), oral or parenteral. Parenteral administration includes intravenous, intra-arterial, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular administration or injection or infusion; or intracranial, eg, intrathecal or intraventricular administration. Parenteral administration may be in the form of a single bolus dose or may be performed, for example, using a continuous infusion pump. Pharmaceutical compositions and topical formulations may include transdermal patches, ointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids and powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or oil bases, thickeners, and the like may be necessary or desirable.

The present application provides pharmaceutical compositions that contain as an active ingredient a T-type calcium channel inhibitor (which may be in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt) in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers (fillers). In some embodiments, the implementation of the composition is suitable for topical application. In preparing the compositions of the invention, the active ingredient is usually mixed with a vehicle, diluted with a vehicle, or placed in such a carrier in the form of, for example, a capsule, sachet, paper, or other container. If the excipient serves as a diluent, it may be a solid, semi-solid or liquid material which acts as a vehicle, carrier or medium for the active ingredient. Thus, the compositions may be in the form of tablets, pills, powders, lozenges, sachets, cachets, elixirs, suspensions, emulsions, solutions, syrups, aerosols (as a solid or in a liquid medium), ointments containing, for example, up to 10 wt.% active compound, soft and hard gelatin capsules, suppositories, sterile injections and sterile packaged powders.

In formulating the composition, the T-type calcium channel inhibitor may be milled prior to being combined with the other ingredients to obtain the appropriate particle size. If the active compound is substantially insoluble, it can be ground to a particle size of less than 200 mesh. If the active compound is substantially insoluble, the particle size can be controlled by grinding to obtain a substantially uniform distribution in the composition, for example up to about 40 mesh.

The compounds of the invention may be milled using known milling procedures, such as wet milling, to obtain particles of a suitable size for forming tablets and other types of formulations. Finely dispersed (nanoparticles) preparations of the compounds of the invention can be obtained by methods known in this field.

Some examples of suitable excipients include lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, starches, gum arabic, calcium phosphate, alginates, tragacanth, gelatin, calcium silicate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, water, syrup, and methylcellulose. The formulations may further include lubricants such as talc, magnesium stearate and mineral oil; wetting agents; emulsifying and suspending agents; preservatives such as methyl and propyl hydroxybenzoates; sweeteners; and flavorings.

In some embodiments, the implementation of the pharmaceutical composition contains siliconized microcrystalline cellulose (SMCC) and at least one compound described in this application, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt. In some embodiments, the siliconized microcrystalline cellulose contains about 98% microcrystalline cellulose and about 2% silica, w/w.

In some embodiments, a wet granulation process is used to prepare the composition. In some embodiments, a dry granulation process is used to prepare the composition.

The compositions may be formulated in unit dosage form, with each dose containing from about 5 to about 1000 mg (1 g), more typically from about 100 mg to about 500 mg, of the active ingredient. In some embodiments, each dose contains about 10 mg of the active ingredient. In some embodiments, each dose contains about 50 mg of the active ingredient. In some embodiments, each dose contains about 25 mg of the active ingredient. The term "unit dosage forms" refers to physically discrete units suitable as unit doses for humans and other mammals, each unit containing a predetermined amount of active material calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect, in combination with a suitable pharmaceutical excipient.

Components used in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions are of high purity and substantially free of potentially harmful impurities (e.g., at least meet the National Food Grade System, generally at least analytical grade, and most often at least to pharmaceutical standards). In particular, for human consumption, the composition is preferably manufactured or formulated in accordance with good manufacturing practice standards as defined in applicable US Food and Drug Administration regulations. For example, suitable formulations may be sterile and/or substantially isotonic and/or fully comply with all good manufacturing practices established by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The active compound may be effective over a wide dosage range and is usually administered in a therapeutically effective amount. However, it should be understood that the amount of the compound actually administered will generally be determined by the physician in accordance with the relevant circumstances, including the condition to be treated, the chosen route of administration, the actual compound administered, the age, weight and response of the individual patient, the severity of the patient's symptoms, and the like.

The therapeutic dose of a compound of the present invention may vary depending on, for example, the particular application for which the treatment is intended, the route of administration of the compound, the health and condition of the patient, and the judgment of the attending physician. The proportion or concentration of a compound of the invention in a pharmaceutical composition may vary depending on a number of factors, including dose, chemical characteristics (eg, hydrophobicity), and route of administration. For example, the compounds of the invention may be provided in an aqueous physiological buffer solution containing from about 0.1 to about 10% w/v. compounds for parenteral administration. Some typical dosage ranges are from about 1 μg/kg to 1 g/kg of body weight per day. In some embodiments, the dosage range is from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg of body weight per day. The dose may depend on such variables as: the severity of the disease, the general health of the individual patient, the relative biological effectiveness of the selected compound, the composition of the excipient and the route of administration. Effective doses can be obtained by extrapolation of dose-response curves obtained from in vitro test systems or animal models. Effective doses in humans may be, for example, about 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg, 30 mg, 35 mg, 40 mg, 45 mg, 50 mg, 55 mg, 60 mg, 65 mg, 70 mg, 75 mg, 80 mg, 85 mg, 90 mg, 95 mg, 100 mg, 110 mg, 120 mg, 125 mg, 130 mg, 140 mg, 150 mg, 160 mg, 170 mg, 180 mg, 190 mg, 200 mg, 250 mg, 300 mg, 350 mg, 400 mg, 500 mg, 600 mg, 700 mg, 800 mg, 900 mg or 1000 mg. Doses may be administered, for example, once a day, twice a day, three times a day, or four times a day.

In some embodiments, when the T-type calcium channel antagonist is mibefradil, it may be administered at a dose of, for example, about 0.1 mg, 0.3 mg, 1 mg, 3 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, or 30 mg. Doses may be administered, for example, once a day, twice a day, three times a day, or four times a day.

In some embodiments, when the T-type calcium channel antagonist is MK-5395, it may be administered at a dose of, for example, about 0.3 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg. Doses may be administered, for example, once a day, twice a day, three times a day, or four times a day.

In some embodiments, when the T-type calcium channel antagonist is MK-6526, it may be administered at a dose of, for example, about 0.3 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg. Doses may be administered, for example, once a day, twice a day, three times a day, or four times a day.

In some embodiments, when the T-type calcium channel antagonist is MK-8998, it may be administered at a dose of, for example, about 0.3 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg. Doses may be administered, for example, once a day, twice a day, three times a day, or four times a day.

In some embodiments, when the T-type calcium channel antagonist is Z944, it may be administered at a dose of, for example, about 0.3 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg. kg, 30 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg. Doses may be administered, for example, once a day, twice a day, three times a day, or four times a day.

For the preparation of solid compositions such as tablets, the main active ingredient is mixed with a pharmaceutical excipient to form a solid composition containing a homogeneous mixture of a compound of the present invention to finalize. When these compositions are stated to be homogeneous prior to finalization, the active ingredient is generally uniformly distributed throughout the composition so that the composition can be readily subdivided into equally effective unit dosage forms such as tablets, pills and capsules. This solid composition is then subdivided into unit dosage forms of the type described above, containing, for example, from about 0.1 mg to about 1000 mg of the active ingredient of the present invention, to final form.

Liquid forms into which the compounds and compositions of the present invention may be administered for oral or injectable administration include aqueous solutions, suitable flavored syrups, aqueous or oily suspensions, and flavored emulsions with edible oils such as cottonseed oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, or peanut butter; and elixirs and similar pharmaceutical carrier media.

Compositions for inhalation or insufflation include solutions and suspensions in pharmaceutically acceptable, aqueous or organic solvents or mixtures thereof, and powders. Liquid or solid compositions may contain suitable pharmaceutically acceptable excipients as described above. In some embodiments, the compositions are administered orally or nasally through the respiratory tract to produce a local or systemic effect. The compositions can be sprayed with inert gases. The nebulized solutions can be inhaled directly from the nebulizing device, or the nebulizing device can be attached to a face mask, tent, or breathing apparatus providing intermittent positive pressure. Solution, suspension or powder compositions may be administered orally or nasally from devices that deliver the composition in an appropriate manner.

Compositions for topical use may contain one or more carriers. In some embodiments, the ointments may contain water and one or more hydrophobic carriers selected from, for example, liquid paraffin, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, propylene glycol, white petrolatum, and the like. Carrier compositions for creams may be based on water in combination with glycerol and one or more other components, for example, glycerol monostearate, PEG-glycerol monostearate and cetyl stearyl alcohol. Gels can be prepared using isopropyl alcohol and water, which are suitably combined with other ingredients such as, for example, glycerol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and the like. In some embodiments, topical formulations contain at least about 0.1, at least about 0.25, at least about 0.5, at least about 1, at least about 2, or at least about 5 wt.% compounds according to the invention.

The amount of a compound or composition administered to a patient will vary depending on what is being administered, the purpose of administration such as prophylaxis or therapy, the condition of the patient, the route of administration, and the like. In therapeutic use, the compositions may be administered to a patient already suffering from a disease in an amount sufficient to eliminate or at least partially alleviate the symptoms of the disease and its complications. Effective doses will depend on the condition of the disease being treated, as well as the judgment of the attending physician, depending on such factors as the severity of the disease, the age, weight and general condition of the patient, and the like.

The compositions administered to the patient may be in the form of the pharmaceutical compositions described above. These compositions may be sterilized by conventional sterilization techniques or may be sterile filtered. Aqueous solutions may be packaged for use as provided, or may be lyophilized, the lyophilized preparation being combined with a sterile aqueous vehicle prior to administration. The pH of complex formulations is typically 3 to 11, more preferably 5 to 9, and most preferably 7 to 8. It is understood that the use of some of the aforementioned excipients, carriers, or stabilizers will result in the formation of pharmaceutical salts.

The therapeutic dose of the T-type calcium channel antagonist used in the methods described herein may vary depending on, for example, the particular application for which the treatment is intended, the route of administration of the compound, the health and condition of the patient, and the judgment of the attending physician. The proportion or concentration of a compound of the invention in a pharmaceutical composition may vary depending on a number of factors, including dose, chemical characteristics (eg, hydrophobicity), and route of administration. For example, T-type calcium channel antagonists may be provided in an aqueous physiological buffer solution containing from about 0.1 to about 10% w/v. Compounds for parenteral administration. Some typical dosage ranges are from about 1 μg/kg to about 1 g/kg of body weight per day. In some embodiments, the dosage range is from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg of body weight per day. The dosage may depend on variables such as the type and extent of progression of the disease or disorder, the general health of the individual patient, the relative bioavailability of the compound chosen, the composition of the excipient, and the route of administration. Effective doses may be an extrapolation of dose-response curves obtained from in vitro or in vivo model test systems.

EXAMPLES

The invention is also described in the following example, which does not limit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Example 1 Effect of T-type Calcium Channel Inhibitor (MK-8998) on LTP Deficiency in Cognitively Deficient Mice

In all behavioral and electrophysiology experiments, female Ube3am–/p+KO mice (i.e., AS mice) were bred with wild-type males to produce heterozygous AS mice and first generation littermate control hybrids 129S2–C57BL/6. AS mice have cognitive deficits, including long-term potentiation (LTP) deficits.

Protocol

Control mice ("wt") were treated with vehicle, while AS mice received vehicle or MK-8998 ("CX") at a dose of 30 mg/kg or 60 mg/kg, administered orally twice a day in the morning and afternoon. Doses were administered for one week prior to testing, followed by 5 weeks of animal behavioral testing.

After behavioral testing, the animals continued to receive treatment until they were sacrificed one hour after the last drug administration. After killing the animals with a vibratome, sagittal sections (400 μm) were prepared, which were immersed in ice-cold artificial CSF (ACSF), and the hippocampi were dissected. These sagittal sections of the hippocampus were kept at room temperature for at least 1.5 hours to recover before starting experiments. They were then placed in an immersion-type recording chamber which was continuously supplied with ACSF equilibrated with 95% O ₂ and 5% CO ₂ at a rate of 2 ml/min at 31°C. ACSF contained the following components (in mM): 120 NaCl, 3.5 KCl, 2.5 CaCl ₂ , 1.3 MgSO ₄ , 1.25 NaH ₂ PO ₄ , 26 NaHCO ₃ and 10 D-glucose. Registration of the field excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) (fEPSP) outside the cell was performed in the polyform layer (stratum radiatum) of the CA1 hippocampus using platinum/iridium (Pt/Ir) electrodes (FHC). To stimulate Shaffer collaterals/commissural afferents, bipolar Pt/Ir (FHC) with a stimulus duration of 100 μs was used. LTP was induced using a 10-theta burst stimulation protocol (10 bursts of 4 stimuli at a frequency of 100 Hz with an interval of 200 ms) performed at the level of two-thirds of the maximum fEPSP value. The fEPSP sizes were recorded once per minute. Potentiation was measured as the normalized increase in the mean slope of fEPSP from baseline. Only stable records were taken into account, and the assessment was performed in a blinded mode relative to the genotype. The final LTP was determined during the last 10 minutes of the recording.

LTP results and output:

After behavioral testing, the animals continued to receive treatment until sacrifice to determine synaptic plasticity in sections of the hippocampus. To measure LTP, mice were divided into two groups. Between these experiments, the electrodes were changed. Such a scheme reduces the experimental error, but does not allow for cross-comparison between drugs.

LTP was induced using a 10-theta burst stimulation protocol (10 bursts of 4 stimuli at a frequency of 100 Hz with an interval of 200 ms) performed at the level of two-thirds of the maximum fEPSP value. The final LTP was determined during the last 10 minutes of the recording. In both experiments, a significant genotype effect was observed (F _3.103 = 6.6, P <0.001; repeated measures ANOVA).

Mouse AS also showed a significant difference compared to the wild-type group (F _3,102 =5.0, P<0.01; repeated measures ANOVA) (FIG. 1). Multiple comparative analysis of Bonferroni showed significant improvement with CX-8998 treatment at both doses (AS group anti-CX-8998 vehicle 30mg/kg; P=0.01) (AS group anti-CX-8998 vehicle 60mg/kg; P =0.02), and the AS mice treated with MK-8998 did not differ from control ("wt") mice.

CX-8998 showed a significant improvement in LTP. It was observed at both doses (30 and 60 mg/kg), and AS mice treated with CX-8998 were no different from wild-type mice.

The results of the experiment are shown in Fig. 1. The graph shows that AS mice treated with vehicle were LTP deficient compared to control mice, but administration of MK-8998 (“CX”) at a dose of 30 mg/kg or 60 mg/kg completely compensated for the LTP deficiency in AS mice. .

Example 2 Treatment of a Patient Suffering from Mild Cognitive Impairment

The patient has mild cognitive impairment, which is characterized by the onset and development of cognitive impairment that exceeds the impairment expected for the individual's age and education level, but is not severe enough to interfere with daily activities. The patient is assessed with one or more tests, such as the clinician's overall impression of MCI changes in the Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Collaborative Study (ADCS CGIC–MCI), such as the NYU Paragraph Delayed Recall Test, Disease Rating Scale Alzheimer's Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-cog) and/or Patient Global Assessment (PGA).

The patient is administered, alone or in combination with other therapies, a therapeutically effective amount of a T-type calcium channel antagonist as described herein (eg, mibefradil, efonidipine, MK-8998, or the like). After a sufficient dose of the T-type calcium channel antagonist has been administered for a period of time (eg, after a single dose or a series of doses, eg over 1 to 2 weeks), the patient's cognitive function is reassessed. On neuropsychological assessment, the patient shows improvement in performance.

OTHER IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS

It should be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with its detailed description, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the following claims. Several embodiments of the invention have been described. However, it is obvious that various modifications can be made without deviating from the essence and scope of the invention. Therefore, other aspects, advantages, embodiments, and modifications are included within the scope of the following claims. It is also clear that in one of the embodiments, some features of the invention, which for a better understanding are described in the context of separate embodiments, can also be presented in combination. Conversely, various features of the invention, which for brevity are described in the context of one embodiment, may also be presented separately or in any suitable narrower combination.

Claims (10)

1. A method of treatment for improving memory and/or cognitive function in a subject in need of such treatment, comprising administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a T-type calcium channel antagonist, wherein the T-type calcium channel antagonist is MK- 8998,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, where the treatment is applied to a condition selected from the group consisting of agnosia, amnesia, Angelman's syndrome, Asperger's syndrome, autism, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, cognitive impairment caused by alcohol or drugs, degenerative dementia, dementia associated with intracranial tumors, Lewy body disease, multi-infarct dementia, Drave syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, trisomy (including trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)) and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the treatment results in an improvement in cognitive function in the subject. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the treatment results in improved memory in the subject. 4. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, in which the treatment is applied to the cognitive disorder. 5. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, in which the treatment is applied to the memory disorder. 6. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, further comprising administering to the subject an additional therapeutic agent. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the additional therapeutic agent is an additional T-type calcium channel inhibitor.

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