Neuronal protection by cerium oxide nanoparticles

• US 9,950,007 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2015
• Issued: 04/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation Inc. (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation Inc. (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Self, William T., Bossy-Wetzel, Ella, Seal, Sudipta, Dowding, Janet
• Primary Examiner(s): Wax, Robert A
• Assistant Examiner(s): AL-AWADI, DANAH J
• Application Number:
  US14/733,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20160038537A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,051 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/244 Lanthanides; Compounds thereof medicinal preparations containing radioactive lanthanides for use in therapy or testing in vivo A61K51/00

Abstract

A method of treating a subject with elevated levels of peroxynitrite includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of cerium oxide nanoparticles to the subject, wherein the cerium oxide nanoparticles reduce the level of peroxynitrite in the subject.

Claims

1. A method of treating a subject identified as at risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease, comprising:

administering a therapeutically effective amount of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO₂NPs) to the subject, wherein the cerium oxide nanoparticles scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in the subject;

wherein the cerium oxide nanoparticles comprise more Ce³⁺ than Ce⁴⁺;

wherein the patient at risk exhibits symptoms comprising at least one of the following;

amyloid plaques in the brain or increased beta-amyloid deposits, neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain, an atrophic brain region, atrophy of the hippocampus, increase in brain ventricle size, elevated levels of tau and/or amyloid beta proteins in cerebral spinal fluid, loss of function in the temporal lobe, cognitive deficiencies in memory, language, perceptual skills, attention, constructive abilities, orientation, problem solving, and/or functional abilities.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the RNS is peroxynitrite.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient at risk exhibits at least two of said symptoms.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient at risk exhibits symptoms comprising at least one of the following:

reduced dopaminergic activity in the basal ganglia, death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, motor symptoms comprising Parkinsonian gait, tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, postural instability, non-motor symptoms comprising autonomic dysfunction, neuropsychiatric problems, sensory problems and/or sleep-related difficulties.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient at risk exhibits symptoms comprising at least two of the following:

reduced dopaminergic activity in the basal ganglia, death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, motor symptoms comprising Parkinsonian gait, tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, postural instability, non-motor symptoms comprising autonomic dysfunction, neuropsychiatric problems, sensory problems and/or sleep-related difficulties.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the cerium oxide nanoparticles range between 1-5 nanometers in size.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the cerium oxide nanoparticles range between 5-10 nanometers in size.