Compositions and methods for increasing neurotrophic peptides

Abstract

A pharmaceutical composition is provided which includes a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and a pharmaceutically and physically acceptable amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of Chemical Formulas I-IV as described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Also provided are methods of increasing a level of a defined neurotrophic peptide in an organism or tissue comprising the administration of a pharmaceutically and physically acceptable amount of one or more of the compositions described above, and a method for treating a neurodegenerative disease in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1.

1 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and a pharmaceutically and physically acceptable amount of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of:
 Chemical Formula I, wherein R 1 =H or CH 3 , R 2 =H or CH 3 , R 3 =H or OH, and R 4 =H or OH;   Chemical Formula II, wherein R 1 =H or COCH 3 ;   Chemical Formula III, wherein R 1 =H or CH 3  and R 2 =H or OH; and   Chemical Formula IV, wherein R 1 =H or CH 3  and R 2 =H or OH, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.   
     
     
         2 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of increasing a level of a defined neurotrophic peptide in an organism or tissue comprising the administration of a pharmaceutically and physically acceptable amount of one or more of the compositions of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method for treating a neurodegenerative disease mediated at least in part by sortilin activity, in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering atherapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         27 - 35 . (canceled)