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 (Ib)

wherein in formula (Ib):

R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 are each independently hydrogen or OH, and R 5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, CH 3 , CH 2 OH, CHO, a lower C 1 -C 9 straight or a branched chain alkyl radical, (CH(OH)) n —Y, and (CH(OH)) n —(CH 2 ) m -W,

wherein Y is hydrogen or a lower alkyl radical, W is hydrogen or a hydroxyl group, and n and m are 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 closed craniocerebral trauma, and wherein said increased intracranial pressure is reduced by said administration of said compound of the general formula (Ib).

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein R 1 and R 3 are both hydrogen and R 2 and R 4 are both OH.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein R 5 is methyl, R 3 is hydrogen, R 2 and R 4 are both hydrogen and R 1 is either hydrogen or hydroxyl.

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