Method for treating cognitive dysfunction

Abstract

The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating cognitive impairment or dysfunction in a subject. In particular, the present invention provides a method for using a composition comprising an angiotensin-(1-7) receptor agonist to treat cognitive dysfunction or impairment that is due to a various clinical conditions including, but not limited to, those associated with increase in inflammation, cytokine production, increases in reactive oxygen species, changes in expression of brain inflammatory related genes and/or in the expression of genes involved in learning and memory within the central nervous system of a subject.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An oligopeptide selected from the group consisting of: 
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                     
                   (SEQ ID NO: 1) 
                 
                     
                     
                   Asp-Arg-Val-Ser-Ile-His-Pro, 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     
                   (SEQ ID NO: 2) 
                 
                     
                     
                   Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Cys, 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     
                   (SEQ ID NO: 3) 
                 
                     
                     
                   Asp-Arg-Val-Ser-Ile-His-Cys, 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     
                   (SEQ ID NO: 4) 
                 
                     
                     
                   Asp-Arg-NorLeu-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro, 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     
                   (SEQ ID NO: 5) 
                 
                     
                     
                   Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe, 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     
                   (SEQ ID NO: 6) 
                 
                     
                     
                   Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe, 
                 
                     
                     
                   and 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     
                   (SEQ ID NO: 7) 
                 
                     
                     
                   Ala-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro. 
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
         2 . The oligopeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the oligopeptide is Asp-Arg-Val-Ser-Ile-His-Pro (SEQ ID NO: 1). 
     
     
         3 . The oligopeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the oligopeptide is Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Cys (SEQ ID NO: 2). 
     
     
         4 . The oligopeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the oligopeptide is Asp-Arg-Val-Ser-Ile-His-Cys (SEQ ID NO: 3). 
     
     
         5 . The oligopeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the oligopeptide is Asp-Arg-NorLeu-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro (SEQ ID NO: 4). 
     
     
         6 . The oligopeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the oligopeptide is Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe (SEQ ID NO: 6). 
     
     
         7 . The oligopeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the oligopeptide is Ala-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro (SEQ ID NO: 7). 
     
     
         8 . The oligopeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the oligopeptide further comprises a polyethylene glycol polymer. 
     
     
         9 . A pharmaceutical formulation comprising the oligopeptide of  claim 1  and at least one pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         10 . The pharmaceutical formulation of  claim 9 , wherein the pharmaceutical formulation is formulated for intravenous, intraarterial, intramuscular, intrathecal, or subcutaneous injection. 
     
     
         11 . The formulation of  claim 9 , wherein the pharmaceutical formulation is formulated for insufflation or intranasal administration. 
     
     
         12 . The formulation of  claim 9 , wherein the pharmaceutical formulation is formulated as an aerosol or a dry powder. 
     
     
         13 . A pharmaceutical formulation comprising the oligopeptide of  claim 8 . 
     
     
         14 . The pharmaceutical formulation of  claim 13 , wherein the pharmaceutical formulation is formulated for intravenous, intraarterial, intramuscular, intrathecal, or subcutaneous injection. 
     
     
         15 . The formulation of  claim 13 , wherein the pharmaceutical formulation is formulated for insufflation or intranasal administration. 
     
     
         16 . The formulation of  claim 13 , wherein the pharmaceutical formulation is formulated as an aerosol or a dry powder.