Treatment of neurodegenerative conditions

Abstract

A method is provided for treating a patient in need of therapy for a neurodegenerative disease comprising administering to that patient a therapeutically effective dose of a lipid glyceride comprising a glycerol moiety and a fatty acid moiety, the fatty acid moiety being selected from the group consisting of γ-linolenic acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid characterised in that the selected fatty acid moiety is attached to the glycerol moiety at its sn-2 position. Preferably the method is that wherein the lipid is administered for a duration and at a dose sufficient to maintain or elevate TGF-β1 levels in the patient to therapeutic levels.

1 - 38 . (canceled) 
   
   
       39 . A pharmaceutical composition characterised in that it comprises a defined structure lipid glyceride comprising a glycerol moiety esterifed with one or more fatty acid moieties, characterised in that the lipid has a fatty acid moiety at the sn-2 position selected from the group consisting of γ-linolenic acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid. 
   
   
       40 . A pharmaceutical composition for treating neurodegeneration characterised in that it comprises a defined structure lipid glyceride comprising a glycerol moiety esterifed with one or more fatty acid moieties, characterised in that the lipid has a fatty acid moiety at the sn-2 position selected from the group consisting of γ-linolenic acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid. 
   
   
       41 . A pharmaceutical composition for treating demyelinating disease comprising a glycerol moiety esterifed with one or more fatty acid moieties, characterised in that the lipid has a fatty acid moiety at the sn-2 position selected from the group consisting of γ-linolenic acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid. 
   
   
       42 . A lipid of formula II 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein R 1  and R 3  are the same and are —C(O)(CH 2 ) n CH 3  wherein n is selected from 4 to 14, more preferably 6 to 10 and most preferably 7, 8 or 9 and R 2  is selected from γ-linolenyl, dihomo-γ-linolenyl and arachidonyl residues. 
     
   
   
       43 . Use of a defined structure lipid glyceride comprising a glycerol moiety esterifed with one or more fatty acid moieties, characterised in that the lipid has a fatty acid moiety at the sn-2 position selected from the group consisting of γ-linolenic acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease. 
   
   
       44 . Use as claimed in  claim 43  wherein the degenerative disease is a demyelinating disease. 
   
   
       45 . Use as claimed in  claim 43  wherein the disease is multiple sclerosis. 
   
   
       46 . Use as claimed in  claim 43  wherein the medicament normalises neuronal membrane composition with respect to lipid γ-linolenic acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid levels. 
   
   
       47 . Use as claimed in  claim 43  wherein the medicament restores TGF-β1/TNFα ratios spontaneously released from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a patient to healthy levels. 
   
   
       48 . Use as claimed in  claim 43  wherein treatment is for multiple sclerosis or the degenerative sequelae associated with head trauma, stroke and intracranial bleeds or neuronal damage caused by Alzheimer's or Parkinson 1 s disease. 
   
   
       49 . Use as claimed in  claim 43  wherein the medicament repairs CNS lesions. 
   
   
       50 . Use as claimed in  claim 43  wherein the medicament relieves muscle spasticity and/or pain. 
   
   
       51 . Use as claimed in  claim 43  wherein the medicament eliminates relapses. 
   
   
       52 . Use as claimed in  claim 43  wherein the medicament improves EDSS score by at least 1 unit over a period of 1 years treatment. 
   
   
       53 . Use as claimed in  claim 43  wherein the medicament is sufficient to restore EDSS of a patient with EDSS above 2.5 to below 2 over a period of 1 years treatment. 
   
   
       54 . Use as claimed in  claim 43  wherein there is improvement in bladder control. 
   
   
       55 . A lipid selected from the group consisting of
 Glycerol 1,3-didecanoate-2-octadecatri(6-Z,9-Z,12-Z)enoate   Glycerol 1,3-didecanoate-2-eicosa-(8Z,11Z,14Z)-trienoate   Glycerol trieicosotetra 5-Z, 8-Z, 11-Z, 14Z-eneoate.   
   
   
       56 . A lipid as claimed in  claim 55  for use in therapy.