Methods of preventing and reducing the severity of stress-associated conditions

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of preventing or reducing the severity of a stress-associated condition in a subject by systemically administering to the subject an effective amount of brimonidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, amide, sterioisomer or racemic mixture thereof. Stress-associated conditions that can be treated according to a method of the invention include, but are not limited to, dyspepsia, tachycardias other than tachycardia associated with myocardial ischemia, panic attack, non-inflammatory dermatogical conditions, disorders of muscle contraction, sensory hypersensitivity associated with migraine, and behavioral disorders.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of preventing or reducing the severity of a stress-associated condition in a subject, comprising systemically administering to said subject an effective amount of brimonidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, amide, sterioisomer or racemic mixture thereof, 
 wherein said stress-associated condition is selected from the group consisting of gastrointestinal disease; irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); dyspepsia; tachycardia, provided that said tachycardia is not associated with myocardial ischemia; panic attack; insulin-resistance; type II diabetes; a non-inflammatory dermatogical condition; a disorder of muscle contraction; sensory hypersensitivity associated with migraine; and a behavioral disorder.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said condition is gastrointestinal disease.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said condition is irritable bowel syndrome.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said condition is dyspepsia.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said condition is tachycardia, provided that said tachycardia is not associated with myocardial ischemia.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said tachycardia is associated with a pulmonary disorder.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said condition is a panic attack.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said condition is insulin-resistance.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said condition is type II diabetes.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said condition is a non-inflammatory dermatological condition.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said condition is a disorder of muscle contraction.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said disorder of muscle contraction is a disorder of skeletal muscle contraction.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said disorder of muscle contraction is a disorder of smooth muscle contraction.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said disorder of smooth muscle contraction is associated with cystitis.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said disorder of smooth muscle contraction is associated with non-bacterial prostatitis.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said disorder of muscle contraction is associated with tension type headache.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said condition is sensory hypersensitivity associated with migraine.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said condition is a behavioral disorder.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said effective amount is administered orally.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said effective amount is administered topically.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said effective amount is administered via a patch.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said effective amount is administered intravenously.