Methods of using sustained release aminopyridine compositions

Abstract

A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a aminopyridine dispersed in a release matrix, including, for example, a composition that can be formulated into a stable, sustained-release oral dosage formulation, such as a tablet which provides, upon administration to a patient, a therapeutically effective plasma level of the aminopyridine for a period of at about 12 hours and the use of the composition to treat various neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis. A method of selecting individuals based on responsiveness to a treatment, including, for example, identifying individuals who responded to treatment with a sustained release fampridine composition.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of increasing walking speed comprising administering to a patient with multiple sclerosis an effective amount of a sustained release aminopyridine composition twice daily, wherein said effective amount is less than about 15 milligrams of aminopyridine. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said effective amount is about 10 to about 15 milligrams of aminopyridine. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said effective amount is about 10 milligrams of aminopyridine. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said aminopyridine is 4-aminopyridine. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said sustained release 4-aminopyridine composition exhibits a C max :C τ  ratio from about 1.0 to 3.5. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said twice daily administration comprises about every 12 hours. 
     
     
         7 . A method of improving lower extremity muscle tone comprising administering to a patient with multiple sclerosis an effective amount of a sustained-release aminopyridine composition twice daily, wherein said effective amount is less than about 15 milligrams of aminopyridine. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said effective amount is about 10 to about 15 milligrams of aminopyridine. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said effective amount is about 10 milligrams of aminopyridine. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said aminopyridine is 4-aminopyridine. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said sustained release 4-aminopyridine composition exhibits a C max :C τ  ratio from about 1.0 to 3.5. 
     
     
         12 . A method of improving lower extremity muscle strength comprising administering to a patient with multiple sclerosis an effective amount of a sustained-release aminopyridine composition twice daily, wherein said effective amount is less than about 15 milligrams of aminopyridine. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said effective amount is about 10 to about 15 milligrams of aminopyridine. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said effective amount is about 10 milligrams of aminopyridine. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said aminopyridine is 4-aminopyridine. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said sustained release 4-aminopyridine composition exhibits a C max :C τ  ratio from about 1.0 to 3.5. 
     
     
         17 . A method of selecting individuals based on responsiveness to a treatment, the method comprising:
 identifying a plurality of individuals;   administering a test to each individual prior to a treatment period;   administering a treatment to one or more of the individuals during the treatment period;   administering the test a plurality of times to each individual during the treatment period; and   selecting one or more individuals, wherein the selected individuals exhibit an improved performance during a majority of the tests administered during the treatment period as compared to the test administered prior to the treatment period.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 administering the test to each individual after the treatment period, wherein the selected individuals further exhibit an improved performance during a majority of the tests administered during the treatment period as compared to the test administered after the treatment period.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said treatment comprises a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         20 . A method of selecting individuals based on responsiveness to a treatment, the method comprising:
 identifying a plurality of individuals;   administering a test to each individual prior to a treatment period;   administering a treatment to one or more of the individuals during the treatment period;   administering the test a plurality of times to each individual during the treatment period;   administering the test to each individual after the treatment period; and   selecting one or more individuals,   wherein the selected individuals exhibit an improved performance during a majority of the tests administered during the treatment period as compared to the better performance of the test administered prior to the treatment period and the test administered after the treatment period.