[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, compounds are evaluated for their ability to
promote neurogenesis by proliferation/differentiation of human hippocampal multipotential stem cells and neuronal progenitors and whether small molecule agents of the above chemical structures that have neurogenic activity in vitro and /or in vivo also have the ability to inhibit neuronal death. Modulation of neurogenesis pathways may overlap pathways critical to apoptotic and nectrotic neurodegeneration, therefore, neurogenic small molecule agents are tester for their ability too inhibit neurodeneneration.
[0026] The compounds of the present invention are
shown to stimulate endogenous neural stem cells capable of differentiating into neurons in adult human brains to proliferate and to differentiate into functional neurons in vivo.The Additional neurons may enhance the cognitive ability of the subject and significantly extend the ability to perform cognitive tasks during extended perdiods of sleep deprivation.[0028] The present invention includes
neurogenic drugs which serve to prevent or treat neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders by promoting the endogenous birth of new neurons within the nervous system by administering the compounds of the present invention to the patient alone or in combination with transplanted stem cells or progenitor cells.
[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, an agent is administered to treat a neurodegenerative disease. In a preferred embodiment of this invention the neurodegenerative disease includes Alzheimer's disease, dementia,
mild cognitive impairment, age-related cognitive decline, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, demyelination, stroke, spinal injuries,
traumatic brain injuries, neuropathic pain, and the like.
[0031] One embodiment of the present invention includes an agent administered to treat a psychiatric disease. In one embodiment, the psychiatric disease includes
depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome, acute or chronic stress, anxiety, schizophrenia, sleep deprivation, cognitive dysfunction, amnesia, and the like.
[0034] In yet another embodiment of the present invention the agent is administered to treat
a cognitive dysfunction, memory deficit, or decreased learning capacity.[0035] In a further embodiment of the present invention, cognitive dysfunction includes
sleep deprivation, moderate cognitive imprairment (MCI), and the like[0035] In another embodiment of the present invention , the agent is administered to
enhance cognitive function, memory, and/or learning capacity of an individual.http://www.freepaten...11/0135612.html
Edited by hadora, 17 April 2013 - 06:55 PM.