Use of medium chain triglycerides for the treatment and prevention of alzheimer'S disease and other diseases resulting from reduced neuronal metabolism

• US 8,426,468 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2012
• Issued: 04/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cerecin, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Accela Incorporated (Piksel Incorporated)
• Inventors: Henderson, Samuel T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hui, San-Ming
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cruz, Katherine
• Application Number:
  US13/445,679
• Publication Number:
  US 20120196932A1
• Time in Patent Office: 376 Days
• Field of Search: 514/557, 514/547, 514/560, 514/578
• US Class Current: 514/557
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/12 Ketones
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/20 having a carboxyl group bound to a chain of seven or more carbon atoms, e.g. stearic, palmitic, arachidic acids
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/205 Amine addition salts of organic acids; Inner quaternary ammonium salts, e.g. betaine, carnitine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/215 of carboxylic acids
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/22 of acyclic acids, e.g. pravastatin
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/221 with compounds having an amino group, e.g. acetylcholine, acetylcarnitine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/23 of acids having a carboxyl group bound to a chain of seven or more carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/25 with polyoxyalkylated alcohols, e.g. esters of polyethylene glycol
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 45/06 Mixtures of active ingredients without chemical characterisation, e.g. antiphlogistics and cardiaca
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/00 Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/14 for treating abnormal movements, e.g. chorea, dyskinesia
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/16 Anti-Parkinson drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/28 for treating neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, e.g. nootropic agents, cognition enhancers, drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/10 for hyperglycaemia, e.g. antidiabetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00

Abstract

Methods and compositions for treating or preventing, the occurrence of senile dementia of the Alzheimer'"'"'s type, or other conditions arising from reduced neuronal metabolism and leading to lessened cognitive function are described. In a preferred embodiment the administration of triglycerides or fatty acids with chain lengths between 5 and 12, to said patient at a level to produce an improvement in cognitive ability.

Claims

1. A method of treating loss of cognitive function caused by reduced neuronal metabolism, wherein said treatment comprises oral administration of a dosage unit of medium chain triglyceride to a patient such that the blood level of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate in the patient is raised to about 1-10 mM or patient urinary excretion of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate is in the range 5 mg/dL to 160 mg/dL causing hyperketonemia in the patient, wherein the patient has a diet wherein carbohydrate intake is not restricted, resulting in ketone bodies being utilized for energy in the brain.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said administration is in a single dose.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said loss of cognitive function is caused by Alzheimer'"'"'s Disease or Mild Cognitive Impairment.

4. The method claim 1, wherein said medium chain triglyceride is administered at a dose of about 0.5 g/kg/day to about 10 g/kg/day.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising coadministering L-carnitine.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said administration is oral, and said medium chain triglyceride is administered at a dose of about 0.5 g/kg/day to about 10 g/kg/day and said L-carnitine is administered at a dose of about 0.5 mg/kg/day to about 10 mg/kg/day.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said medium chain triglyceride is emulsified.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising coadministering L-carnitine.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said emulsified medium chain triglyceride and L-carnitine or a derivative of L-carnitine are administered in a formulation comprising 10-500 g emulsified medium chain triglyceride and 10-2000 mg L-carnitine.

10. A method of treating loss of cognitive function caused by reduced neuronal metabolism, wherein said treatment comprises oral administration of 10 g to 50 g of medium chain triglyceride to a patient over the course of one day such that the blood level of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate in the patient is raised to about 1-10 mM or patient urinary excretion of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate is in the range 5 mg/dL to 160 mg/dL causing hyperketonemia in the patient, wherein the patient has a diet wherein carbohydrate intake is not restricted, resulting in ketone bodies being utilized for energy in the brain.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said administration is in a single dose.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said loss of cognitive function is caused by Alzheimer'"'"'s Disease or Mild Cognitive Impairment.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising coadministering L-carnitine.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said medium chain triglyceride is emulsified.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising coadministering L-carnitine.