Methods of treating mental diseases, inflammation and pain

Abstract

Methods are disclosed for treating or preventing disorders such as mental diseases, inflammation and pain by inhibiting the enzyme anandamide amidohydrolase. A therapeutically effective level of an anandamide amidohydrolase inhibitor is administered such as a therapeutically effective level of a haloenol lactone. Preferably, the haloenol lactone is of the formula: wherein R is hydrogen, R1 is a halogen, and R2 is selected from the group consisting of aryl, aryloxy, and heteroaryl radicals, derivatives of said haloenol lactones, and mixtures thereof. The haloenol lactone, E-6-(bromomethylene)tetrahydro-3-(1-naphthalenyl)-2H-pyrane-2-one, is most preferred.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.