Treatment of cognitive disorders associated with abnormal dendritic spines using PKC activators

1. A method of treating a cognitive disorder associated with abnormal dendritic spines in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a PKC activator in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier

wherein PKC is activated without being downregulated,

wherein the PKC activator (a) improves cognitive function, (b) restores the morphology of dendritic spines in neurons, and/or (c) increases the amount of synaptophysin, and

wherein the cognitive disorder is chosen from Fragile X syndrome, Fragile X Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome, autism, and mental retardation.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the PKC activator is a macrocyclic lactone.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the macrocyclic lactone is a bryostatin or neristatin compound.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the bryostatin compound is bryostatin-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -7, -8, -9, -10, -11, -12, -13, -14, -15, -16, -17, or -18.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the neristatin compound is neristatin-1.

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the macrocyclic lactone is a bryolog.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cognitive function includes learning, memory, attention, autistic-like behavior shyness, sensory integration difficulties, attention deficits, hyperactivity, impulsivity, depression anxiety, mathematical learning disabilities, aggressive tendencies, deficiencies in abstract thinking, speech and language delays, and decreased IQ.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dendritic spines are mushroom spines.