Anticonvulsant activity of steroids

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of preventing, inhibiting, delaying, and/or mitigating seizures by administration of a steroid, e.g., a neurosteroid, e.g., allopregnanolone.

1 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A composition comprising or consisting essentially of a steroid and a cyclodextrin. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein the steroid is a neurosteroid. 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein the neurosteroid is selected from the group consisting of allopregnanolone, allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone, ganaxolone, alphaxolone, alphadolone, hydroxydione, minaxolone, and Althesin. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of any one of  claims 22  to  24 , wherein the steroid is allopregnanolone. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of any one of  claims 22  to  25 , wherein the cyclodextrin is hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin sodium salt, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of any one of  claims 22  to  26 , wherein the composition is formulated for intramuscular (i.m.), subcutaneous (s.c.) or intravenous (i.v.) administration. 
     
     
         28 . The composition of any one of  claims 22  to  27 , wherein the composition comprises allopregnanolone and sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin sodium salt.