Enhanced brain function by gaba-ergic stimulation
OwnerAudie G. Leventhalinventor
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Abstract
Methods are disclosed for improving age-related decreases in cortical function by increasing the activity of inhibitory pathways, such as GABA-ergic pathways, in the central nervous system. In particular examples, subjects with age-related decreases in cortical function are treated by administering therapeutically effective amounts of a GABA-ergic agonist. The disclosed methods also enable screening for drugs that inhibit an age-related decline in cortical function, for example by exposing a subject to a test agent, and measuring an increase in GABA-ergic cortical inhibitory activity.
Claims35
A method of treating a subject having age-related decreases in cortical function, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a GABA-ergic agonist.
A method of treating age related visual decline in a subject, comprising:
- determining whether the visual decline comprises an age-related decrease in visual orientation and direction selectivity;
- administering a GABA-ergic agonist to the subject in a therapeutically effective amount, sufficient to improve visual orientation and direction selectivity.
A method of treating age related cognitive decline in a subject, comprising:
- determining whether the cognitive decline comprises an age-related decrease in cognition;
- administering a GABA-ergic agonist to the subject in a therapeutically effective amount, sufficient to improve cognition.
A method of screening for agents to inhibit age related cortical decline, comprising:
- determining whether a test agent increases GABA-ergic cortical inhibitory activity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.