Methods for distributing agents to areas of brain

Abstract

Broad cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) distribution of an agent is achievable by delivering the agent in a liquid formulation to the CSF at flow rates less than 500 microliters per hour, such as between about 2 microliters per hour and about 100 microliters per hour.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method comprising:
 selecting a subject for which delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic molecule to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a brain is desired; and   administering a liquid formulation comprising the molecule to an CSF-containing intrathecal space of the subject at a flow rate of less than 500 microliters per hour, wherein the liquid formulation is administered for a period of time sufficient to reach a steady state concentration in CSF of the brain.   
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein the liquid formulation is administered at a flow rate of less than 200 microliters per hour. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein the liquid formulation is administered at a flow rate of between about 4 microliters per hour and about 100 microliters per hour. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein the liquid formulation is administered at a flow rate of between about 2 microliters per hour and about 25 microliters per hour. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein the liquid formulation is delivered via a catheter having a delivery region placed in the CSF-containing space. 
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein the CSF-containing space is selected from the group consisting of lumbar intrathecal space, thoracic intrathecal space, and cervical intrathecal space. 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein the molecule is a therapeutic molecule and wherein the steady state concentration is a therapeutically effective concentration. 
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 29 , further comprising administering the liquid formulation at a second slower rate for a period of time sufficient to reduce the concentration of the molecule in the CSF. 
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 30 , wherein the liquid formulation is administered via a catheter, and wherein the second slower rate is sufficient to keep the catheter patent.