brevetoxin and Neurodegenerative-Diseases

The application is in the field of neuronal growth and the activity of brevetoxins and their derivatives. It aims to characterize the activity of four generic formulae of brevetoxin derivatives--formulae I, II, III, and IV--and their compounds on the growth of neurites. The activity of the brevetoxin derivative compounds was tested on primary cultures of neocortical neurons. It was assayed in the presence and absence of antagonists of receptors and second-messenger signaling pathways, particulary NMDA receptors and the calmodulin-dependent protein-kinase kinase pathway. Brevetoxin derivatives stimulate neurite growth, particularly the growth of minor processes from which the axons form, on neurons in primary cultures. The activity is mediated by voltage-gated sodium channels and the N-methyl-d-aspartate-mediated intracellular Ca(2+) pathway. The application claims the use of the four generic formulae of brevetoxin derivatives (I, II, III, and IV) and their compounds for enhancing neuronal growth and for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders and injuries, such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebral strokes, traumatic brain, and spinal cord injuries.

Topics: Animals; Humans; Marine Toxins; Nervous System Diseases; Neurites; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurons; Oxocins; Patents as Topic; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Signal Transduction