Method of treatment of dopamine-related dysfunction

Abstract

The present invention relates to the treatment of dopamine-related dysfunction using full D 1 dopamine receptor agonists in an intermittent dosing protocol with a short, but essential, “off-period.” The D 1 agonist concentration is reduced during the “off-period” to obtain a plasma concentration of agonist that suboptimally activates D 1 dopamine receptors for a period of time to prevent induction of tolerance. Specifically, the method comprises the steps of periodically administering to a patient a full D 1 agonist with a half-life of up to about 6 hours at a dose resulting in a first plasma concentration of agonist capable of activating D 1 dopamine receptors to produce a therapeutic effect. The dose is reduced at least once every 24 hours to obtain a second lower plasma concentration of agonist that results in suboptimal activation of D 1 dopamine receptors for a period of time sufficient to prevent induction of tolerance.

1 . A method of treating a patient in need of relief from a disorder resulting from dopamine-related dysfunction, said method comprising the steps of: 
 administering to the patient a full D 1  agonist wherein said agonist has a half-life of less than 6 hours and wherein said agonist is administered periodically at a dose resulting in a first tissue concentration of agonist capable of activating D 1  dopamine receptors to produce a therapeutic effect; and    reducing said agonist dose at least once every 24 hours to obtain a second lower tissue concentration of agonist wherein said second concentration of agonist results in suboptimal activation of D 1  dopamine receptors for a period of time sufficient to prevent induction of tolerance.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said agonist is selected from the group consisting of dinapsoline, dinoxyline, dihydrexidine, analogs and derivatives of said agonists, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the disorder resulting from dopamine-related dysfunction is selected from the group consisting of Parkinson's disease, autism, attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, memory loss, and sexual dysfunction.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the disorder resulting from dopamine-related dysfunction is selected from the group consisting of autism, attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, memory loss, and sexual dysfunction.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said agonist is administered parenterally.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said parenteral administration route is selected from the group consisting of intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intrathecal, and intravenous administration.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said parenteral administration is achieved using a pulsatile release dosage form.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said parenteral administration is achieved using a metering pump.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said agonist is administered intranasally.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said agonist is administered orally.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said agonist is administered in combination with an antioxidant.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the period of time for reducing said agonist dose to obtain said second tissue concentration of agonist is at least one hour per each 24-hour dosing period.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the period of time for reducing said agonist dose to obtain said second tissue concentration of agonist is about one hour to about four hours per each 24-hour dosing period.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the reducing step includes reducing said agonist dose at least twice every 24 hours to obtain a second lower tissue concentration of agonist.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the period of time for reducing said agonist dose to obtain said second tissue concentration of agonist is at least one hour per each dosing period.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the period of time for reducing said agonist dose to obtain said second tissue concentration of agonist is about one hour to about four hours per each dosing period.