Use of pteridine derivatives for the treatment of increased intracranial pressure, secondary ischemia, and disorders associated with an increased level of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species

1. A method of reducing intracranial pressure in a subject having an increased intracranial pressure, comprising identifying a subject in need thereof, and administering to the subject a therapeutically sufficient amount of a compound of the general formula (Ia)

wherein in formula (Ia):

R 1 and R 3 is each independently selected from hydrogen or OH,

R 4 is hydrogen, CH 3 , CH 2 OH, CHO,

R 2 is hydrogen, CH 3 , CH 2 OH, CHO or a lower C 1 -C 9 alkyl radical, which can be a straight or a branched chain, as well as (CH(OH)) n —Y or (CH(OH)) n —(CH 2 ) m —W, wherein

Y is hydrogen or a lower alkyl radical,

W is hydrogen or a hydroxyl group,

n and m is each independently 1-20,

wherein the compound is administered at a daily dose of 0.01 to 100 mg/kg body weight,

wherein the increased intracranial pressure is caused by non-traumatic brain injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion injury, and wherein said increased intracranial pressure is reduced by said administration of said compound of the general formula (Ia).

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein R 1 and R 4 in formula (Ia) are each hydrogen, R 2 is methyl and R 3 is hydroxyl.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the compound is 2,4-diamino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-6-(L-erythro-1,2-dihydroxypropyl)-pteridine.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a mammal.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the subject is a human.