TGF-beta to improve neural outcome

Abstract

The invention relates to methods of treating injuries to or diseases of the central nervous system which methods involve increasing the active concentration(s) of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and/or analogues thereof in the central nervous system of the patient. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising TGF-β1 and/or analogues thereof for administration to a patient prior to, simultaneous with, or following a neural insult, which compositions are useful in minimizing damage to the central nervous system that would otherwise occur following the insult.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of treating central nervous system injury in a mammal, comprising administering to the central nervous system of said mammal an effective amount of TGF-β1 or a biologically active analogue of TGF-β1.  
     
     
         2 . A method of  claim 1  wherein the central nervous system injury is hypoxic injury.  
     
     
         3 . A method of  claim 1  wherein the central nervous system injury is ischemic injury.  
     
     
         4 . A method of  claim 1  wherein the central nervous system injury is traumatic injury.  
     
     
         5 . A method of  claim 1  wherein the central nervous system injury affects non-cholinergic neuronal cells.  
     
     
         6 . A method of  claim 1  wherein the central nervous system injury affects glial cells.  
     
     
         7 . A method of  claim 1  wherein the central nervous system injury is a consequence of Parkinson's disease.  
     
     
         8 . A method of  claim 1  wherein the central nervous system injury is a consequence of multiple sclerosis.  
     
     
         9 . A method of  claim 1  wherein the central nervous system injury is a consequence of a demyelinating disorder.  
     
     
         10 . A method of  claim 1  wherein the TGF-β1 or biologically active analogue of TGF-β1 is administered in the period from the time of the central nervous system injury to 100 hours after the injury.  
     
     
         11 . A method of  claim 1  wherein the TGF-β1 or biologically active analogue of TGF-β1 is administered at least once in the period from the time of the central nervous system injury to about 8 hours subsequently.  
     
     
         12 . A method of  claim 1  wherein the TGF-β1 or biologically active analogue of TGF-β1 is administered to the mammal in an amount from about 0.0001 to 100 μg of TGF-β1 per 100 gm of body weight of the mammal.  
     
     
         13 . A method of  claim 1  wherein the biologically active analogue of TGF-β1 is selected from the group consisting of TGF-β2, TGF-β1,2, TGF-β3, TGF-β2,3, TGF-4, and TGF-β5.  
     
     
         14 . A method of  claim 1  wherein the TGF-β1 or biologically active analogue of IGF-1 is administered to the mammal through a surgically inserted shunt into the cerebro ventricle of the mammal.  
     
     
         15 . A method of  claim 1  wherein the TGF-β1 or biologically active analogue of TGF-β1 is administered peripherally into the mammal for passage into the lateral ventricle of the brain.