METHODS OF TREATING NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a method of treating a neuropsychiatric disorder. This method involves selecting a subject having the neuropsychiatric disorder and administering to the selected subject a preparation of glial progenitor cells at a dosage effective to treat the neuropsychiatric disorder in the subject. Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method of treating a neuropsychiatric disorder that includes selecting a subject having the neuropsychiatric disorder and administering, to the selected subject, a potassium (K+) channel activator at a dosage effective to restore normal brain interstitial glial K+ levels in the selected subject and treat the neuropsychiatric disorder is also disclosed.

Description

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A method of treating a neuropsychiatric disorder, said method comprising: selecting a subject having the neuropsychiatric disorder andadministering, to the selected subject, a potassium (K+) channel activator at a dosage effective to restore normal brain interstitial glial K+ levels in the selected subject and treat the neuropsychiatric disorder, with the proviso that the K+ channel activator is not a KCNQ channel activator.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the selected subject has dysregulated glial K+ channel function characterized by defective glial K+ conductance, defective glial K+ uptake, and/or defective glial K+ channel expression.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the K+ channel activator increases the activity of glial G protein-activated inward rectifier K+ channels.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the K+ channel activator is selected from the group consisting of flupirtine, nitrous oxide, halothane, 17β-estradiol, dithiothreitol, and naringin.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the K+ channel activator increase the activity of glial K+ voltage-gated channels.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the K+ channel activator increases the activity of a glial A-type voltage-gated K+ channels.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the K+ channel activator is N-[3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-N′-[2,4-dibromo-6-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]urea (NS5806).

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the K+ channel activator increases the activity of glial delayed rectifier K+ channels.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the K+ channel activator increase the activity of glial tandem pore domain K+ channels, including the potassium leak channels encoded by KCNK1 through KCNK18 inclusive.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the K+ channel activator is selected from the group consisting of halothane, isoflurane, 2-haolgenated ethanols, halogenated methanes, sevoflurane, and desflurane.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said administering is carried out by inhalation, subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous administration.

22. The method according to claim 11, wherein the neuropsychiatric disorder is selected from the group consisting of schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and bipolar disorder.

23. The method according to claim 11, wherein the neuropsychiatric disorder is schizophrenia.

24. The method of claim 11, wherein the subject is human.