Use of amino-isoxazolidone compounds for facilitation of perceptual learning

Abstract

A class of amino-isoxazolidone compounds is described for use to improve implicit memory in patients susceptible to or afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease. Preferred compounds of this class are D-cycloserine and its prodrugs.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method to improve implicit memory in a subject susceptible to or suffering from impairment of implicit memory, said method comprising administering a therapeutically-effective amount of a glycine B partial agonist to said subject.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said glycine B partial agonist is a compound, or a prodrug thereof, selected from the family of compounds of Formula I:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1  is selected from hydrido, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl and aryl; wherein each of R 2  and R 3  is independently selected from hydrido, alkyl, aralkyl, aryl,  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1  and R 2  may be taken together to form a Schiff-base derived group selected from derivatives of aldehydes and ketones; wherein each of R 4  and R 5  is independently selected from hydrido, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl and aryl; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein R 1  is selected from hydrido, lower alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, phenalkyl and phenyl; wherein each of R 2  and R 3  is independently selected from hydrido, lower alkyl, phenalkyl, phenyl,  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein said Schiff-base derived group, formed from R 2  and R 3  taken together, is derived from acetylacetone, salicylaldehyde, benzophenone derivatives and acetylacetic acid esters; and wherein each of R 4  and R 5  is independently selected from hydrido, lower alkyl and benzyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein R 1  is hydrido; wherein each of R 2  and R 3  is independently selected from  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein said Schiff-base derived group, formed from R 2  and R 3  taken together, is selected from  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein each of X and Y is independently one or more groups selected form hydrido, lower alkyl and halo; and wherein each of R 4  and R 5  is independently selected from hydrido, lower alkyl and phenyl; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein each of R 1 , R 2 , R 3  and R 4  is hydrido; and wherein said Schiff-base derived groups, formed from R 2  and R 3  taken together, is selected from  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein each of X and Y is independently selected from fluoro, chloro and bromo; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said compound is D-4-amino-3-isoxazolidone or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said D-4-amino-3-isoxazolidone compound is administered in a dose in a range from about 5 mg to about 50 mg of said compound per unit dosage form per day.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said D-4-amino-3-isoxazolidone compound is administered in a dose in a range from about 5 mg to about 25 mg of said compound per unit dosage form per day.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said D-4-amino-3-isoxazolidone compound is administered in a dose in a range from about 10 mg to about 20 mg of said compound per unit dosage form per day.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said D-4-amino-3-isoxazolidone compound is administered in a dose containing about 15 mg of said compound per unit dosage form per day.  
     
     
         11 . A therapeutic method for treating impairment of implicit memory in a subject susceptible to or afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease when therapy is indicated, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically-effective amount of D-4-amino-3-isoxazolidone or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.