Method for treating neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method for treating a neurodegenerative disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, frontotemporal degeneration, dementia with Lewy bodies, a motor neuron disease, or a demyelinating disease. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a Ppargc1a activator 2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1H-benzimidazole, 2-[4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]-1H-benzimidazole, in an effective amount. A preferred route of administration is oral administration.

1 . A method of treating a neurodegenerative disease, comprising the step of administering to a subject suffering from a neurodegenerative disease an effective amount of 2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1H-benzimidazole. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease is selected from the group consisting of: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, frontotemporal degeneration, dementia with Lewy bodies, a motor neuron disease, and a demyelinating disease. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said compound is administered by systemic administration. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said compound is administered by oral administration. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease is ALS, and the method improves motor skills and/or survival rate of the subject. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer disease and the method improves cognitive and motor functions of the subject. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease is Parkinson's disease and the method improves motor skills of the subject. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease is Huntington's disease and the method improves motor skills of the subject. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease is frontotemporal degeneration and the method alleviates symptoms associated with language skills and social interactions in the subject. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease is dementia with Lewy bodies and the method alleviates motor dysfunction and/or cognitive decline in the subject. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease is a motor neuron disease and the method improves motor skills, survival rate, and/or survival length of the subject. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease is a demyelinating disease and the method alleviates behavioral dysfunction and cognitive impairment in the subject. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said compound is administered by systemic administration. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the said compound is administered by oral administration. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said compound is administered by systemic administration. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the said compound is administered by oral administration. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said compound is administered by systemic administration. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the said compound is administered by oral administration. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said compound is administered by systemic administration. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the said compound is administered by oral administration.