INTRANASALLY ADMINISTERING CURCUMIN PRODRUGS TO THE BRAIN TO TREAT ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

1 . A pharmaceutical formulation comprising:

a) an effective amount of curcumin ester prodrug, and

b) a buffering agent setting a pH of between 3 and 5.5.

2 . The formulation of claim 1 wherein the prodrug comprises an aminoalkylcarboxylic acid moeity.

3 . The formulation of claim 2 wherein the aminoalkylcarboxylic acid moeity comprises an aminoalkanecarboxylic acid moeity.

4 . The formulation of claim 3 wherein the aminoalkanecarboxylic acid contains a glycinate moiety.

5 . The formulation of claim 4 wherein the aminoalkanecarboxylic acid moiety comprises a terminal methyl group.

6 . The formulation of claim 4 wherein the aminoalkanecarboxylic acid moiety comprises two terminal methyl groups.

7 . The formulation of claim 4 wherein the aminoalkanecarboxylic acid moiety comprises three terminal methyl groups.

8 . The formulation of claim 4 wherein the aminoalkanecarboxylic acid moiety comprises a terminal ethyl group.

9 . The formulation of claim 4 wherein the aminoalkanecarboxylic acid moiety comprises two terminal ethyl groups.

10 . The formulation of claim 4 wherein the aminoalkanecarboxylic acid moiety comprises three terminal ethyl groups.

11 . The formulation of claim 4 wherein the aminoalkanecarboxylic acid moiety comprises a terminal ethyl group and a terminal methyl group.

12 . The formulation of claim 4 wherein the aminoalkanecarboxylic acid moiety comprises a terminal ethyl group and two terminal methyl groups.

13 . The formulation of claim 4 wherein the aminoalkanecarboxylic acid moiety comprises two terminal ethyl groups and a terminal methyl group.

14 . The formulation of claim 4 wherein the aminoalkanecarboxylic acid moiety comprises a terminal propyl group.

15 . The formulation of claim 4 wherein the aminoalkanecarboxylic acid moiety is characterized by terminal substitution of the amine by an oxygen-containing moiety.

16 . The formulation of claim 4 wherein the prodrug is in the form of a salt.

17 . The formulation of claim 16 wherein the salt comprises an anion selected from the group consisting of chloride and bromide.

18 . The formulation of claim 1 wherein the buffer sets a pH of between about 3.5 and 5.

19 . The formulation of claim 1 wherein the buffer sets a pH of between about 4 and 5.

20 . The formulation of claim 1 wherein the buffer sets a pH of between about 3 and 4.

21 . The formulation of claim 1 wherein the prodrug comprises an carbamoyl moeity.

22 . A method for administering curcumin to a brain of a mammal, comprising:

a) applying a pharmaceutical composition comprising a water soluble curcumin prodrug to an upper third of a nasal cavity of the mammal, wherein the curcumin prodrug is absorbed through a nasal mucosa and transported to the brain of the mammal.

23 . The method of claim 22 wherein the prodrug is an ester prodrug.

24 . The method of claim 22 wherein the prodrug contains a glycinate moiety.

25 . The method of claim 22 wherein the prodrug contains a carbamoyl moiety.

26 . An intranasal spray device comprising a formulation comprising:

a) an effective amount of curcumin, and

b) a buffering agent setting a pH of between 3 and 5.5.

27 . The device of claim 26 wherein the formulation contains a buffer setting a pH of between about 3.5 and 5.

28 . The device of claim 26 wherein the formulation contains a buffer setting a pH of between, preferably a pH of between about 4 and 5.

29 . The device of claim 26 wherein the formulation contains a buffer setting a pH of between 3 and 4.