Composition for inducing differentiation and protection of neural stem cells and method for inducing neuro-regeneration using the same composition
The present invention relates to a method of inducing neuro-regeneration comprising administering a MEK 1/2 inhibitor to a patient in need thereof. In the present invention, the MEK1/2 inhibitor induces neuro-regeneration by differentiating neural stem cells into neurons, by protecting neural stem cells and neurons against cytotoxicity of amyloid-betas, or by both of the above. Also, the present invention relates to a method of protecting neurons against neuronal loss or damage comprising administering a MEK 1/2 inhibitor. In addition, this invention relates to a method of preventing or treating neurodegenerative disease due to neuronal loss or damage for patients in need thereof comprising administering a MEK 1/2 inhibitor.
1. A method of treating a neurodegenerative disease, comprising the step of: administering trametinib to a patient diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease,
wherein the neurodegenerative disease is selected from the group consisting of: dementia, vascular dementia, senile dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, corticobasal degeneration, progressive supranuclear palsy, Huntington's disease, and cerebellar ataxia.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease is vascular dementia.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease is frontotemporal dementia.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease is Huntington's disease.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein trametinib is administered in an amount sufficient to reduce a symptom associated with the neurodegenerative disease.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein trametinib is administered in an amount sufficient to induce neuro-regeneration.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the amount is sufficient to induce differentiation of a neural stem cell into a neuron in the patient.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the neuron differentiated from the neural stem cell is selected from the group consisting of: a dopaminergic neuron, a GABAergic neuron, a motor neuron, and a cholinergic neuron.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the amount is sufficient to protect a neural stem cell or a neuron from cytotoxicity of amyloid-beta in the patient.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein trametinib is administered in an amount of between 0.1 mg and 2 mg once daily.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein trametinib is administered in an amount of not more than 1 mg once daily.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein trametinib is administered in an amount of not more than 0.5 mg once daily.