Compositions and methods for the treatment of catatonia

Abstract

Compositions and methods for treating psychotic and neurological disorders in a subject are disclosed. The compositions and methods utilize a pharmaceutical compound that reverses or negates the effects of an NMDA receptor antagonist. The compositions and methods are effective in reducing at least catatonic features in the subject.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a psychotic or neurological disorder comprising catatonic features in a subject in need thereof, comprising:
 identifying a subject with a psychotic or neurological disorder comprising catatonic features; and   administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition that reduces or negates the effects of an NMDA receptor antagonist and reduces the severity of the catatonic features.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the pharmaceutical composition is at least about 25 mg per day and the NMDA receptor antagonist is ketamine. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises lamotrigine and at least one of an antipsychotic or a benzodiazepine. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the antipsychotic comprises olanzapine. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the antipsychotic comprises clozapine. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the psychotic or neurological disorder comprises catatonia, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, dementia, autism, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . A composition, comprising:
 a therapeutically effective amount of an antipsychotic agent;   a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical compound that reverses or negates the effects of an NMDA receptor antagonist and reduces catatonic features in a subject having a psychotic or neurological disorder; and   an optional therapeutically effective amount of a benzodiazepine.   
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7  further comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a benzodiazepine and wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the antipsychotic is at least about 1 to about 1200 mg, wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical compound is at least about 25 to about 600 mg, and wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the benzodiazepine is at least about 500 to about 10,000 μg. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the antipsychotic agent is selected from the group consisting of clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, chlorpromazine, aripipazole, perphenazine, haloperidol, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the NMDA receptor antagonist is ketamine. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the pharmaceutical compound is lamotrigine. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the antipsychotic agent is selected from the group consisting of clozapine and olanzapine and the pharmaceutical compound is lamotrigine. 
     
     
         13 . A pharmaceutical dosage form comprising the composition of  claim 7  and one or more pharmaceutically suitable carriers, diluent, and/or excipients. 
     
     
         14 . The pharmaceutical dosage form of  claim 13 , wherein the dosage form comprises an oral, injection, infusion, inhalation, transdermal, or implant dosage form. 
     
     
         15 . The pharmaceutical dosage form of  claim 13 , wherein the pharmaceutical dosage form comprises about 25 to about 600 mg of lamotrigine, about 500 to about 10,000 μg of a benzodiazepine, and either about 25 to about 1200 mg of clozapine or about 5 to about 60 mg of olanzapine. 
     
     
         16 . The pharmaceutical dosage form of  claim 15 , wherein the pharmaceutical dosage form comprises about 25 to about 100 mg of lamotrigine, about 500 to about 4000 μg of a benzodiazepine, and either about 25 to about 200 mg of clozapine or about 5 to about 30 mg of olanzapine. 
     
     
         17 . The pharmaceutical dosage form of  claim 15 , wherein the pharmaceutical dosage form comprises about 25 mg of lamotrigine, about 500 μg of a benzodiazepine, and either about 25 mg of clozapine or about 5 mg of olanzapine. 
     
     
         18 . A method of treating a subject for catatonic schizophrenia, comprising:
 administering a treatment regimen to the subject comprising
 a therapeutically effective amount of an antipsychotic agent selected from the group consisting of clozapine and olanzapine, and 
 a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical compound that reverses or negates the effects of an NMDA receptor antagonist in the subject, 
   wherein the treatment regimen comprises administering at least about 200 mg per day of the pharmaceutical compound to the subject for a period of at least about 1 month to result in a decrease in the subject's BFCRS score of about 15.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the treatment regimen is administered from a first kit that comprises the antipsychotic and the pharmaceutical compound in a combined formulation or from a second kit that comprises the antipsychotic and the pharmaceutical compound in separate pharmaceutical dosage forms, wherein the pharmaceutical dosage forms of the second kit may be administered to a subject at the same time or one at a time. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the subject exhibits a gain of function improvement.