Method for treating neurocognitive disorders

A method of treating a mammal suffering from memory impairment associated with aging comprising administering to said mammal suffering from memory impairment a therapeutically effective amount of thalidomide.

A method of treating the symptoms of cognitive decline in a mammal which comprises administering to a mammal affected with cognitive decline a therapeutically effective amount of a mixture of thalidomide with a compound selected from the group consisting of tacrine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory carboxylic acids (NSAIDs), steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (SAIDs), .beta.-amyloid inhibitors, pentoxyphylline, apolipoprotein .epsilon. agents and a pharmaceutically acceptable inert carrier.

A method for treating a central nervous system or peripheral nervous system cholinergic deficit state in a mammalian organism in need of such treatment, said method comprising administering to said mammal an amount of thalidomide effective in the treatment of a cholinergic deficit state and for a time sufficient to achieve a suitable blood level to treat said cholinergic deficit state.

A method for treating Alzheimer's disease in a mammal, said method comprising administering to said mammal about 30 mg to about 1 gram per 24 hours of thalidomide and a pharmaceutically acceptable inert carrier therefor.

A pharmaceutical composition of matter for treating central nervous system or peripheral nervous system cholinergic deficit states in a mammalian organism in need of such treatment, said composition comprising:

• (a) a unit dosage amount of thalidomide;
• (b) an additional therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of prednisone, prednisolone tacrine and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory carboxylic acids, and a pharmaceutical acceptable inert carrier.