Amidated Dopamine Neuron Stimulating Peptide Restoration of Mitochondrial Activity

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of novel proteins, referred to herein as amidated glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) peptides (or “Amidated Dopamine Neuron Stimulating peptides (ADNS peptides)”), for treating brain diseases and injuries that result in dopaminergic deficiencies and mitochodrial dysfunction, e.g., reduced complex I enzyme activity.

1 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A method for treating a condition associated with a deficiency in mitochondrial complex I enzyme activity in a subject comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition comprising
 (a) a purified Amidated Dopamine Neuron Stimulating peptide (ADNS peptide) comprising the amino acid sequence ERNRQAAAANPENSRGK-amide (SEQ ID NO: 2);   (b) a purified ADNS peptide comprising the amino acid sequence FPLPA-amide (SEQ ID NO: 3); or   (c) a purified ADNS peptide comprising the amino acid sequence PPEAPAEDRSL-amide (SEQ ID NO: 4), or mixtures thereof,   and at least one of a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, excipient, and diluent,   wherein the composition is administered nasally,   wherein the subject in need thereof has early onset Parkinson's Disease, ALS, or a spinal cord injury,   wherein the composition is administered in an amount that restores mitochondrial activity as evidenced by an increase in levels of at least one of dopamine and a dopamine metabolite in the subject.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the ADNS peptide is a purified ADNS peptide comprising the amino acid sequence ERNRQAAAANPENSRGK-amide (SEQ ID NO: 2). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the ADNS peptide is a purified ADNS peptide comprising the amino acid sequence FPLPA-amide (SEQ ID NO: 3). 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the ADNS peptide is a purified ADNS peptide comprising the amino acid sequence PPEAPAEDRSL-amide (SEQ ID NO: 4). 
     
     
         9 - 16 . (canceled)