Glutamate agents in the treatment of mental disorders

Abstract

Methods of treating mental disorders, including anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, are provided. The methods comprise administering an effective amount of a glutamate modulator to an individual in need thereof. Also provided are methods of enhancing the activity of a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) comprising co-administering a glutamate modulator and a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Pharmaceutical composition comprising a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and a glutamate modulator are also provided.

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A method of treating a mental disorder in an individual in need thereof comprising administering to said individual an effective amount of riluzole in pharmaceutical dosage form in combination with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for administration via oral, buccal, vaginal, rectal or topical route of administration. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises an ion exchanger, a self-emulsifying drug delivery system or a polymeric delivery matrix. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises a polymer delivery matrix. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate, colloidal silica, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, a cellulose substance, polyethylene glycol, a polyacrylate, a wax, a polyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer, wool fat or a cyclodextrin. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 38  wherein said cellulose substance is sodium carboxymethylcellulose and said cyclodextrin is α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, γ-cyclodextrin, or hydroxyalkylcyclodextrin. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein said mental disorder is post-traumatic stress disorder. 
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein said mental disorder is social anxiety disorder. 
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein said mental disorder is panic disorder. 
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein said mental disorder is an eating disorder. 
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein said mental disorder is trichotillomania. 
     
     
         45 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein said mental disorder is skin-picking (excoriation) disorder. 
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein said mental disorder is schizophrenia. 
     
     
         47 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein said mental disorder is bipolar disorder. 
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein said mental disorder is dementia. 
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein said mental disorder is Alzheimer's disease. 
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein said mental disorder is obsessive-compulsive disorder. 
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein said riluzole is administered via an oral route of administration. 
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 36  wherein said riluzole is administered via an oral route of administration. 
     
     
         53 . The method according to  claim 37  wherein said riluzole is administered via an oral route of administration. 
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 38  wherein said riluzole is administered via an oral route of administration. 
     
     
         55 . The method according to  claim 39  wherein said riluzole is administered via an oral route of administration. 
     
     
         56 . The method according to  claim 40  wherein said riluzole is administered via an oral route of administration. 
     
     
         57 . The method according to  claim 41  wherein said riluzole is administered via an oral route of administration. 
     
     
         58 . The method according to  claim 42  wherein said riluzole is administered via an oral route of administration. 
     
     
         59 . The method according to  claim 43  wherein said riluzole is administered via an oral route of administration. 
     
     
         60 . The method according to  claim 44  wherein said riluzole is administered via an oral route of administration. 
     
     
         61 . The method according to  claim 45  wherein said riluzole is administered via an oral route of administration. 
     
     
         62 . The method according to  claim 46  wherein said riluzole is administered via an oral route of administration. 
     
     
         63 . The method according to  claim 47  wherein said riluzole is administered via an oral route of administration. 
     
     
         64 . The method according to  claim 48  wherein said riluzole is administered via an oral route of administration. 
     
     
         65 . The method according to  claim 49  wherein said riluzole is administered via an oral route of administration. 
     
     
         66 . The method according to  claim 50  wherein said riluzole is administered via an oral route of administration. 
     
     
         67 . A pharmaceutical composition for use in treating a mental disorder in a human patient comprising an effective amount of riluzole in pharmaceutical dosage form in combination with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for administration via oral, buccal, vaginal, rectal or topical route of administration. 
     
     
         68 . The composition according to  claim 67  wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises an ion exchanger, a self-emulsifying drug delivery system or a polymeric delivery matrix. 
     
     
         69 . The composition according to  claim 67  wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises a polymer delivery matrix. 
     
     
         70 . The composition according to  claim 67  wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate, colloidal silica, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, a cellulose substance, polyethylene glycol, a polyacrylate, a wax, a polyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer, wool fat or a cyclodextrin. 
     
     
         71 . The composition according to  claim 70  wherein said cellulose substance is sodium carboxymethylcellulose and said cyclodextrin is α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, γ-cyclodextrin, or hydroxyalkylcyclodextrin. 
     
     
         72 . The composition according to  claim 67  in oral dosage form.