Therapeutic use of compounds
A compound having the formula (I) R1-COOH. R1 is an alkyl or alkenyl group having a C 7-11 backbone, optionally branched with a C 1-6 alkyl group at any C position in the backbone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, amide or ester thereof. The backbone of the alkyl or alkenyl group, and/or the branched alkyl groups, are optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, provided that when R1 is an alkyl group having a C 7 backbone, the branching does not consist only of a hexyl group at the a carbon of R1, or only of a methyl group at the γ carbon of R1, or of only single methyl groups at both the β and ω-1 carbons of R1, and provided that when R1 is an alkyl group having a C 8 or C 11 backbone, the branching does not consist only of a propyl group at the a carbon of R1.
1. A method for treating a seizure-related disorder in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of 4-ethyloctanoic acid, wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the 4-ethyloctanoic acid is 1 to 20,000 μg/kg per dose.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the seizure-related disorder is epilepsy.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the 4-ethyloctanoic acid is administered to the subject with one or more of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant or a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the 4-ethyloctanoic acid is administered to the subject orally.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the 4-ethyloctanoic acid is administered in an orally acceptable dosage form selected from the group consisting of capsules, tablets, powders, granules, aqueous suspensions and solutions.