Methods and compositions for panic disorders

Abstract

Methods and compositions that down regulate the activity of orexins to treat panic disorder and panic-like responses associated with hypercapnic conditions are disclosed.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . An agent for reducing the expression of orexin, wherein the agent is a small interfering RNA (siRNA). 
     
     
         35 . The agent of  claim 34 , wherein the siRNA is complementary to a pre-pro orexin nucleic acid sequence. 
     
     
         36 . The agent of  claim 35 , wherein the siRNA is complementary to a human pre-pro orexin nucleic acid sequence. 
     
     
         37 . The agent of  claim 34 , wherein the siRNA is complementary to a pro-orexin nucleic acid sequence. 
     
     
         38 . The agent of  claim 37 , wherein the siRNA is complementary to a human pro-orexin nucleic acid sequence. 
     
     
         39 . The agent of  claim 34 , wherein the siRNA is complementary to an orexin nucleic acid sequence. 
     
     
         40 . The agent of  claim 39 , wherein the siRNA is complementary to a human orexin nucleic acid sequence. 
     
     
         41 . The agent of  claim 34 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         42 . The agent of  claim 41 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is selected from the group consisting of a phosphate buffered saline, water, an oil/water emulsion, a water/oil emulsion, and a wetting agent. 
     
     
         43 . A method for reducing the activity of orexin in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an agent for reducing the expression of orexin, wherein the agent is a small interfering RNA (siRNA). 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the siRNA is complementary to a pre-pro orexin nucleic acid sequence. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the siRNA is complementary to a human pre-pro orexin nucleic acid sequence. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the siRNA is complementary to a pro-orexin nucleic acid sequence. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the siRNA is complementary to a human pro-orexin nucleic acid sequence. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the siRNA is complementary to an orexin nucleic acid sequence. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the siRNA is complementary to a human orexin nucleic acid sequence. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is selected from the group consisting of a phosphate buffered saline, water, an oil/water emulsion, a water/oil emulsion, and a wetting agent. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the subject is an animal. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the subject is selected from the group consisting of a human and a rodent.