Methods of facilitating cell survival using neurotrophin mimetics

Abstract

Methods and compounds for treating neurodegenerative and other disorders. Included is the administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound having binding specificity for a p75 NTR receptor molecule. Enhanced survival of neural and other cells has been observed.

1 - 51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . A method of treating a neurodegenerative disorder in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound having binding specificity for a p75 NTR  receptor molecule, wherein the compound is a substituted theophylline or a salt thereof. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the substituted theophylline is a 1,3-dimethylxanthine substituted with a substituent on the nitrogen at the 7-position of the xanthine. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the substituent at the 7-position is optionally substituted C 1-20  alkyl. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the substituent at the 7-position is selected from optionally substituted C 1-8  alkyl. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the optionally substituted C 1-20  alkyl comprises one or more atoms selected from oxygen, sulfur and substituted or unsubstituted nitrogen inserted along the alkyl chain. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein each nitrogen atom inserted along the alkyl chain is selected from unsubstituted nitrogen and substituted with a substituent selected from lower alkyl and aryl. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the optionally substituted C 1-20  alkyl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halo, arylamino, acyl, hydroxyl, aryloxyl, alkoxyl, alkylthio, arylthio, aralkyloxyl, aralkylthio, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, oxo, and cycloalkyl. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the neurodegenerative disorder is selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Pick's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, stroke, hypoxia, ischemia, brain injury, diabetic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, nerve transplantation, multiple sclerosis, peripheral nerve injury, hair loss, conditions involving degeneration or dysfunction of cells expressing p75. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's disease. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the compound having binding specificity for a p75 NTR  receptor molecule is administered in an amount effective to activate said p75 NTR  receptor molecule.