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US010251894B2 (12 ) United States Patent ( 10 ) Patent No. : US 10 ,251 ,894 B2 Rogawski et al. (45 ) Date of Patent : Apr . 9 , 2019

(54 ) ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF 7 ,816 , 074 B2 10 / 2010 Smith et al. STEROIDS 7 ,858 ,609 B2 12 / 2010 Shaw et al. 8 ,012 ,958 B2 9 / 2011 Sabnani et al. 8 ,697 ,678 B2 4 / 2014 Goodchild et al. (71 ) Applicant: The Regents of the University of 8 , 969, 329 B2 3 / 2015 Brinton et al. California , Oakland , CA (US ) 9 ,084 ,797 B2 7 / 2015 Caufriez et al . 2002/ 0072509 A1 6 / 2002 Stein et al . (72 ) Inventors : Michael A . Rogawski, Sacramento , CA 2003 / 0032638 Al 2 / 2003 Kim et al. 2006 / 0063707 A1 3 / 2006 Baudry et al. (US ); Dorota Zolkowska , Davis, CA 2006 /0198896 A1 9 / 2006 Liversidge et al. (US ) 2007 /0081948 AL 4 /2007 Morton 2007 /0287931 A1 12 / 2007 Dilorenzo ( 73 ) Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE 2008 / 0195160 A1 8 / 2008 Wingeier et al. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA , 2008 / 0269183 Al 10 / 2008 Mellon et al. Oakland , CA (US ) 2009 / 0074677 A1 3 / 2009 Marx et al . 2009 / 0130216 A1 5 / 2009 Cartt et al. 2009 /0162441 A1 6 / 2009 Bartus et al . ( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 2009 /0198145 A1 8 / 2009 Chow patent is extended or adjusted under 35 2009 /0203658 Al 8 / 2009 Marx et al. U . S .C . 154 (b ) by 0 days . 2009 / 0221544 A1 9 / 2009 Stein et al . 2009 /0239942 Al 9 /2009 Cloyd 2009 /0325920 A1 12 / 2009 Hoffman et al. ( 21) Appl. No .: 15 /917 , 245 2010 /0136105 A1 6 / 2010 Chen et al. 2010 / 0234335 A1 9 / 2010 Gravanis et al. (22 ) Filed : Mar . 9 , 2018 2010 /0297181 AL 11/ 2010 Hanada et al. 2010 /0316678 A1 12 / 2010 Goodchild (65 ) Prior Publication Data 2010 /0331762 Al 12 /2010 Wingeier et al. 2011 / 0054038 AL 3 / 2011 Glozman US 2018 /0193357 A1 Jul . 12 , 2018 2011/ 0152840 A16 / 2011 Lee et al . 2011/ 0288059 Al 11/ 2011 Marx et al. 2011 /0306579 A1 12 / 2011 Stein Related U . S . Application Data 2011 / 0319386 AL 12 / 2011 Barlow et al. 2012 /0142645 Al 6 / 2012 Marx (60 ) Division of application No . 15/ 632 , 360 , filed on Jun . 2012 /0302535 AL 11 / 2012 Caufriez et al. 25 , 2017 , now abandoned , which is a continuation of 2013 / 02 10783 AL 8 / 2013 Marx et al . application No . 14 /646 , 886 , filed as application No . 2013 /0309306 AL 11 /2013 Rogawski et al. PCT /US2013 /072351 on Nov. 27 , 2013, now 2014 /0050789 AL 2 /2014 Rogawski et al. (Continued ) (60 ) Provisional application No . 61/ 732 ,252 , filed on Nov. 30 , 2012 . FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS CA 2 443 466 Al 12 /2002 ( 51 ) Int. Cl. EP 0 233 849 AL 1 / 1987 A61K 31/ 57 ( 2006 .01 ) (Continued ) A61K 4740 ( 2006 . 01 ) A61K 31/ 56 ( 2006 .01 ) OTHER PUBLICATIONS A61K 9 /00 ( 2006 . 01 ) A61K 9 /08 ( 2006 . 01) Gilbert et al, Gynecol Endocrinol. 21 (5 ) : 268 -79 . ( Year: 2005) .* A61K 31/ 573 ( 2006 .01 ) Kaura et al, European Neuropsychopharmacology , 17 , 108 - 115 (52 ) U .S . Cl. ( Year: 2007 ). * CPC ...... A61K 31 /57 ( 2013 .01 ) ; A61K 9 /0019 PCT International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Dec . (2013 .01 ) ; A61K 9 / 08 (2013 .01 ) ; A61K 31/ 56 27 , 2012 issued in PCT/ US2012 /056509 . (2013 .01 ) ; A61K 31/ 573 ( 2013. 01 ) ; A61K PCT International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Mar. 47 /40 (2013 .01 ) 17, 2014 issued in PCT/ US2013 /072351 . (58 ) Field of Classification Search (Continued ) CPC ...... A61K 31/ 57 , A61K 31/ 573 ; A61K 9 /08 ; A61K 9 /0019 ; A61K 47 /40 , A61K 31/ 56 Primary Examiner — Sudhakar Katakam See application file for complete search history . (74 ) Attorney , Agent, or Firm — Squire Patton Boggs ( 56 ) References Cited (US ) LLP U .S . PATENT DOCUMENTS (57 ) ABSTRACT 3 , 865 , 939 A 2 / 1975 Jandacek 5 ,719 , 197 A 2 / 1998 Kanios et al. The present invention relates to methods of preventing , 6 , 245 ,757 B1 6 / 2001 Chopp et al. inhibiting, delaying , and /or mitigating seizures by adminis 6 , 455 ,516 B1 9 / 2002 Backstrom et al . 6 , 780 , 853 B1 8 / 2004 Upasani et al. tration of a steroid , e. g. , a neurosteroid , e .g ., allopreg 7 , 060, 255 B2 6 / 2006 Rabinowitz et al . nanolone . 7 ,064 , 116 B2 6 / 2006 Calogeropoulou et al . 7 , 090 , 830 B2 8 / 2006 Hale et al . 7 ,630 , 757 B2 12 / 2009 Dorfmeister et al. 3 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets US 10 ,251 ,894 B2 Page 2

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References Cited 1. 023 ), 2012 , Published to Web : Sep . 6 , 2012 , Source: www . aesnet . ( 56 ) org , Annual Meeting Abstracts : View , 2 pages . OTHER PUBLICATIONS Zolkowska et al ., (2012 ) “ Anticonvulsant Activity of Intravenous and Intramuscular Allopregnenalone ,” American Epilepsy Society , Zhu et al. , ( 2001 ) “ Evaluation and comparison of the pharmacokinetic ( Poster ), UC Davis , University of California , 1 page . and pharmacodynamic properties ofallopregnanolone and pregnanolone Zolkowska et al. , (2012 ) “ Anticonvulsant Activity of Intravenous at induction of anaesthesia in the male rat ,” British Journal of and Intramuscular Allopregnenalone , ” American Epilepsy Society , Anaesthesia , 86 ( 3 ): 403 -412 . ( Abst . 1 .023 ) [ retrieved on Nov . 29 , 2012 from http : // www . aesnet . Zia et al. , ( 1996 ) “ Effect of Alkyl Chain and Degree of Substitution org / go /publications / aes- abstracts /abstract -search /mode /display / st / on the Complexation of Sulfoalkyl Ether B - Cyclodextrins with roga . . . ], 1 page . Steroids, ” Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 86 ( 2 ) :220 -224 . Spectrums, Oct. 2005 , vol. 10 , No . 10 , pp . 792 -799 , 805 . Zia et al. , ( 2000 ) “ Thermodynamics of Binding of Neutral Mol Zsuzsa Aszalos, “Neurological and psychiatric aspects of some ecules to Sulfobutyl Ether B - Cyclodextrins ( SBE - B - CDs) : The endocrine diseases. The role of neurosteroids and neuroactive Effect of Total Degree of Substitution , ” Pharmaceutical Research , steroids, ” Ory Hetil, Oct . 14 , 2007 , 148 ( 41 ) : 1929 - 1937 ,with machine 17 ( 8 ): 936 - 941. translation into English Zia et al. , ( 2001) “ Effect of Cyclodextrin Charge on Complexation “ Allopregnanolone for the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury ” , of Neutral and Charged Substrates : Comparison of ( SBE ) 7M - B - CD Clinical Trials . gov Identifier : NCT01673828 ; First Posted : Aug . 28 , to HP -B -CD ,” Pharmaceutical Research , 18 (5 ): 667 -673 . 2012 ; retrieved on Jan . 10 , 2019 ; 7 pages . Zolkowska et al ., “ Anticonvulsant Activity of Intravenous and Intramuscular Allopregnenalone ,” American Epilepsy Society , (Abst . * cited by examiner U . S . Patent Apr. 9 , 2019 Sheet 1 of 10 US 10 ,251 , 894 B2

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Time (min ) Fig . 10 US 10 ,251 , 894 B2 ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF experiencing a seizure . In some embodiments , the subject STEROIDS has status epilepticus . In some embodiments , the subject has myoclonic epilepsy . In some embodiments , the subject suf CROSS -REFERENCE TO RELATED fers from seizure clusters . In some embodiments, the seizure APPLICATIONS 5 is a tonic seizure . In some embodiments , the seizure is a clonic seizure . In some embodiments , the subject is a This application is a continuation of U . S . application Ser. human . In some embodiments , the steroid is administered No . 15 /632 , 360 , filed on Jun . 25 , 2017 , which is a continu intramuscularly , intravenously or subcutaneously. In some ation of U . S . application Ser. No . 14 /646 , 886 , filed on May embodiments , the methods entail treating , reducing , and / or 22. 2015 . which is a U . S . national phase application under 10 mitigating symptoms associated with and /or caused by epi 35 U . S . C . $ 371 of International Appl. No. PCT/ US2013 / lepsy by intramuscularly ( i. m . ) , subcutaneously ( s . c . ) or 072351 , filed on Nov. 27 , 2013 , which claims the benefit intravenously ( i. v .) administering allopregnanolone formu under 35 U . S . C . § 119 ( e ) of U . S . Provisional Application lated in a sulfobutylether -beta -cyclodextrin sodium salt . In No. 61/ 732 ,252 , filed on Nov . 30 , 2012 , all of which are some embodiments , the epilepsy is status epilepticus . In hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties 15 some embodiments , the steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g ., allo for all purposes. pregnanolone ) is administered at a dose in the range of about 0 . 25 mg/ kg to about 15 mg/ kg , e . g ., about 0 .25 , 0 . 5 , 1 , 2 , 3 , FIELD 4 , 5 , 6 , 7, 8, 9 , 10 , 11, 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 mg/ kg . In some embodiments , the steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g ., allopreg The present invention relates to methods of preventing , 20 nanolone) is self - administered by the subject. In some inhibiting, delaying, and /or mitigating seizures by adminis - embodiments , the steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g . , allopreg tration of a steroid , e . g ., a neurosteroid , e . g ., allopreg - nanolone ) is administered by a caregiver who is not the subject. nanolone . In a further aspect, compositions comprising or consisting BACKGROUND 25 essentially of a steroid and a cyclodextrin are provided . In some embodiments , the steroid is a neurosteroid . In some Steroids, including neurosteroids ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) embodiments , the neurosteroid is selected from the group are highly insoluble in aqueous solution . Various approaches consisting of allopregnanolone, allotetrahydrodeoxycorti are used to enhance aqueous dissolution , including the use costerone, ganaxolone , alphaxolone , alphadolone , hydroxy of cyclodextrin solutions . However, even with cyclodextrin 30 dione , minaxolone, and Althesin . In some embodiments , the as a solvation aid , solubility is not sufficient to permit steroid is allopregnanolone . In some embodiments , the systemic delivery for the treatment of medical conditions. lether -beta -cyclodextrin sodium salt , or mixture thereof. In SUMMARY some embodiments , the composition comprises allopreg 35 nanolone and sulfobutylether -beta - cyclodextrin sodium salt . In one aspect , methods of preventing, treating , reducing , In some embodiments , the steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g . , and / or mitigating one or more symptoms associated with allopregnanolone ) is administered or formulated for admin and / or caused by traumatic brain injury , Alzheimer ' s dis - istration via an inhaler. In some embodiments , the steroid or ease, epilepsy, anxiety , fragile X syndrome, post -traumatic neurosteroid ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) is nebulized or aero stress disorder, lysosomal storage disorders (Niemann -Pick 40 solized . In some embodiments , the steroid or neurosteroid type C disease ) , depression ( including post -partum depres - ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) is nebulized or aerosolized without sion ) , premenstrual dysphoric disorder, alcohol craving, and heating . In some embodiments, the nebulized or aerosolized smoking cessation in a subject in need thereof are provided . steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) particles In some embodiments , the methods comprise administering have a mass median aerodynamic diameter (“ MMAD ” ) of to the subject a steroid . 45 about 5 um or smaller. In some embodiments , the nebulized In another aspect, methods of preventing , treating , reduc - or aerosolized steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g ., allopreg ing, and/ or mitigating symptoms associated with and / or nanolone ) particles have a mass median aerodynamic diam caused by epilepsy , in a subject in need thereof are provided . eter (“ MMAD ' ) of about 2 - 3 um . In some embodiments , the In some embodiments , themethods comprise administering steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) is delivered to the subject a steroid . 50 to the distal alveoli . In a further aspect ,methods of accelerating the termina - Definitions tion or abortion of an impending seizure in a subject in need As used herein , " administering ” refers to local and sys thereof are provided . In some embodiments , the methods temic administration , e . g . , including enteral, parenteral , pul comprise administering to the subject a steroid . monary, and topical /transdermal administration . Routes of With respect to embodiments of the methods , in some 55 administration for steroid or neurosteroids ( e . g ., allopreg embodiments , the steroid is a neurosteroid . In some embodi nanolone ) that find use in the methods described herein ments , the neurosteroid is selected from the group consisting include , e . g ., oral (per os ( P . O . ) ) administration , nasal , of allopregnanolone , allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone, inhalation or intrapulmonary administration , administration ganaxolone , alphaxolone , alphadolone , hydroxydione, as a suppository, topical contact, transdermal delivery ( e . g ., minaxolone, and Althesin . In some embodiments , the neu - 60 via a transdermal patch ) , intrathecal (IT ) administration , rosteroid is allopregnanolone . In some embodiments , the intravenous (“ iv ” ) administration , intraperitoneal (“ ?ip " ) steroid is formulated in a cyclodextrin . In various embodi- administration , intramuscular (“ im ” ) administration , or sub ments, the steroid is formulated in hydroxypropyl- beta cutaneous (“ sc ” ) administration , or the implantation of a cyclodextrin or sulfobutylether- beta - cyclodextrin sodium slow -release device e . g ., a mini- osmotic pump , a depot salt. In some embodiments , the subject is experiencing aura . 65 formulation , etc ., to a subject. Administration can be by any In some embodiments , the subject has been warned of an route including parenteral and transmucosal ( e . g . , oral , impending seizure . In some embodiments , the subject is nasal, vaginal, rectal, or transdermal ). Parenteral adminis US 10 , 251 , 894 B2 tration includes , e .g ., intravenous, intramuscular, intra - arte - non - human primate , but also domesticated mammals ( e . g . , rial, intradermal, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intraven canine or feline ), laboratory mammals ( e . g ., mouse, rat , tricular, ionophoretic and intracranial. Other modes of rabbit , hamster, guinea pig ) and agricultural mammals ( e . g . , delivery include, but are not limited to , the use of liposomal equine , bovine , porcine , ovine ) . In various embodiments , the formulations, intravenous infusion , transdermal patches , etc . 5 subject can be a human ( e . g . , adult male , adult female , The terms “ systemic administration ” and “ systemically adolescent male , adolescent female , male child , female administered ” refer to a method of administering a com child ) under the care of a physician or other healthworker in pound or composition to a mammal so that the compound or a hospital, psychiatric care facility , as an outpatient, or other composition is delivered to sites in the body , including the clinical context. In certain embodiments the subject may not targeted site of pharmaceutical action , via the circulatory 10 be under the care or prescription of a physician or other system . Systemic administration includes , but is not limited healthworker . to , oral, intranasal, rectal and parenteral (e .g ., other than The term “ neuroactive steroid ” or “ neurosteroid ” refers to through the alimentary tract, such as intramuscular, intrave - steroid compounds that rapidly alter neuronal excitability nous , intra - arterial, transdermal and subcutaneous) admin through interaction with neurotransmitter - gated ion chan istration . 15 nels . Neurosteroids act as allosteric modulators of neu The term “ co -administration ” refers to the presence of rotransmitter receptors , such asGABA4 , NMDA , and sigma both active agents in the blood at the same time. Active receptors. Neurosteroids find use as sedatives for the pur agents that are co - administered can be delivered concur pose of general anaesthesia for carrying out surgical proce rently (i . e . , at the same time ) or sequentially . dures , and in the treatment of epilepsy and traumatic brain The phrase " cause to be administered ” refers to the 20 injury. Illustrative neurosteroids include, e .g . , allopreg actions taken by a medical professional ( e . g ., a physician ), nanolone , Ganaxolone, alphaxolone , alphadolone , hydroxy or a person controllingmedical care of a subject, that control dione , minaxolone , and Althesin ( a mixture of alphaxolone and / or permit the administration of the steroid or neuroster and alphadolone ) . oid ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) to the subject. Causing to be administered can involve diagnosis and /or determination of 25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS an appropriate therapeutic or prophylactic regimen , and / or prescribing particular steroid or neurosteroid (e . g. , allopreg - FIG . 1 illustrates a time course for protection by allo nanolone ) for a subject. Such prescribing can include , for pregnanolone (50 ,3a -P ) administered i. v . at a doses of 1. 5 example , drafting a prescription form , annotating a medical and 0 .5 mg/ kg respectively in the 6 -Hz electricalstimulation record , and the like. 30 ( 32 mA , 3 s ) model. The interval between the steroid The term " effective amount" or " pharmaceutically effec injection and the electrical stimulus is plotted on the abscissa tive amount" refer to the amount and / or dosage, and /or and the percentage of animals protected against seizures is dosage regime of one or more steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g ., plotted on the ordinate . Each point represents eight mice . allopregnanolone ) necessary to bring about the desired result FIG . 2 illustrates a time course for protection by allo e . g ., an amount sufficient prevent, abort or terminate a 35 pregnanolone (50 , 3a - P ) administered i. m . at a doses of 6 , 3 , seizure . 1 . 5 mg/ kg in the 6 -Hz electrical stimulation ( 32 mA, 3 s ) As used herein , the terms " treating ” and “ treatment” refer model. The interval between the steroid injection and the to delaying the onset of, retarding or reversing the progress electrical stimulus is plotted on the abscissa and the per of, reducing the severity of, or alleviating or preventing centage of animals protected against seizures is plotted on either the disease or condition to which the term applies , or 40 the ordinate . Each point represents at least eight mice . one or more symptoms of such disease or condition . FIG . 3 illustrates a time course for protection by allo The terms " reduce ," " inhibit ,” “ relieve, " " alleviate ” refer pregnanolone (50 , 3a - P ) administered s . c . at a doses of 6 and to the detectable decrease in the frequency, severity and /or 1 . 5 mg/ kg in the 6 -Hz electricalstimulation (32 mA , 3 s ) duration of seizures. A reduction in the frequency , severity model . The interval between the steroid injection and the and / or duration of seizures can be measured by self -assess - 45 electrical stimulus is plotted on the abscissa and the per ment ( e . g . , by reporting of the patient) or by a trained clinical centage of animals protected against seizures is plotted on observer . Determination of a reduction of the frequency , the ordinate . Each point represents eight mice . severity and / or duration of seizures can be made by com - FIG . 4 illustrates a time course for protection by allo paring patient status before and after treatment. pregnanolone (50 , 3a - P ) administered p . o . at a dose of 300 The term " mitigating” refers to reduction or elimination 50 and 200 mg/ kg (double volume of 150 mg/ kg and 100 mg/ kg of one or more symptoms of that pathology or disease , suspended /diluted in Canola oil ) in the 6 -Hz electrical and / or a reduction in the rate or delay of onset or severity of stimulation ( 32 mA , 3 s ) model. The interval between the one or more symptoms of that pathology or disease ( e . g ., steroid injection and the electrical stimulus is plotted on the seizures ) , and / or the prevention of that pathology or disease . abscissa and the percentage of animals protected against As used herein , the phrase “ consisting essentially of” 55 seizures is plotted on the ordinate. Each point represents at refers to the genera or species of active pharmaceutical seven to eight mice . agents (e .g ., neurosteroid , e .g ., allopregnanolone ) and FIG . 5 illustrates the effect of i. v. administration of excipient ( e . g ., hydroxypropyl- beta -cyclodextrin or Captisol allopregnanolone (50 , 3a - P ) ( 0 . 1 - 1 . 5 mg/ kg ) on the onset of (sulfobutylether - beta - cyclodextrin sodium salt ) ) included in myoclonic jerk , generalized clonus, and tonic extension in a method or composition . In various embodiments , other 60 response to PTZ (80 mg/ kg , i. p .) injection in mice . 50 ,3a - P unmentioned or unrecited active ingredients and inactive are was administered i . v . 1 min before PTZ injection . Bars expressly excluded . In various embodiments , additives ( e . g . , indicate mean S . E . M . of values from eight mice . p < 0 . 05 surfactants , acids ( organic or fatty ) , alcohols, esters , co - compared with vehicle control group (ANOVA followed by solvents , solubilizers, lipids , polymers, glycols ) are Dunnett' s test ) . expressly excluded . 65 FIG . 6 illustrates the effect of i . v . administration of The terms “ subject ,” “ individual, " and " patient” inter- allopregnanolone (50 ,3a -P ) (0 .1 - 1. 5 mg/ kg ) on the onset of changeably refer to a mammal, preferably a human or a myoclonic jerk , generalized clonus, and tonic extension in US 10 ,251 , 894 B2 response to PTZ (80 mg/ kg , i. p .) injection in mice . 50 , 3a - P disease , epilepsy, anxiety , fragile X syndrome, post -trau was administered i. v . 2 min before PTZ injection . Bars matic stress disorder, lysosomal storage disorders (Ni indicate mean S . E . M . of values from eight mice . p < 0 .05 emann - Pick type C disease ), depression ( including post compared with vehicle control group ( ANOVA followed by partum depression ), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, Dunnett 's test) . 5 alcohol craving , and smoking cessation by administration of FIG . 7 illustrates the effect of i. v . administration of a steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) dissolved allopregnanolone (5a , 3a - P ) ( 0 .25 - 1 .5 mg/ kg ) on the onset or suspended in a vehicle suitable for systemic administra of myoclonic jerk , generalized clonus, and tonic extension in tion ( e .g . , intramuscular , intravenous , subcutaneous ) , as response to PTZ (80 mg/ kg , i. p .) injection in mice . 5a ,3a -P described herein . was administered i. v . 30 min before PTZ injection . Bars 10 In some embodiments , the subject has epilepsy , has a indicate mean S . E . M . of values from eight mice . p < 0 .05 history of suffering from epileptic seizures or is suffering compared with vehicle control group (ANOVA followed by from epileptic seizures . In various embodiments , the patient Dunnett ' s test ) . may be experiencing an electrographic or behavioral seizure FIG . 8 illustrates the effect of i . m . administration of or may be experiencing a seizure aura , which itself is a allopregnanolone (50 , 3a - P ) ( 0 .25 - 1 . 5 mg/ kg ) on the onset 15 localized seizure that may spread and become a full blown of myoclonic jerk , generalized clonus, and tonic extension in behavioral seizure . For example , the subject may be expe response to PTZ (80 mg/ kg , i. p .) injection in mice . 50 , 3a - P riencing aura that alerts of the impending onset of a seizure was administered i . m . 2 min before PTZ injection . Bars or seizure cluster. indicate mean S . E . M . of values from at least seven mice . Alternatively, the subject may be using a seizure predic p < 0 .05 compared with vehicle control group ( ANOVA fol - 20 tion device that alerts of the impending onset of a seizure or lowed by Dunnett ' s test ) . seizure cluster. Implantable seizure prediction devices are FIG . 9 illustrates the effect of i . m . administration of known in the art and described , e . g . , in D ' Alessandro , et al. , allopregnanolone (50 , 3a - P ) ( 0 .25 - 1 . 5 mg/ kg ) on the onset IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEER ofmyoclonic jerk , generalized clonus, and tonic extension in ING , VOL . 50 , NO . 5 , MAY 2003 , and U . S . Patent Publi response to PTZ ( 80 mg/ kg , i . p . ) injection in mice . 5a , 3a - P 25 cation Nos. 2010 /0198098 , 2010 /0168603 , 2009/ 0062682 , was administered i. m . 30 min before PTZ injection . Bars and 2008/ 0243022 . indicate mean S . E . M . of values from eight mice . p < 0 .05 The subjectmay have a personal or familial history of any compared with vehicle control group (ANOVA followed by of the epileptic conditions described herein . The subjectmay Dunnett ' s test) . have been diagnosed as having any of the epileptic condi FIG . 10 illustrates a Time concentration profile for 30 tions described herein . In some embodiments , the subject plasma allopregnanolone (50 , 3a - P ) after single i .v . injection has or is at risk of suffering a myoclonic seizure or myo in rats. Rats bearing indwelling jugular catheters received clonic epilepsy , e .g . , juvenile myoclonic epilepsy . The PTZ single i . v . injection of 5a ,3a - P or vehicle and serial blood seizure model demonstrated herein is predictive of utility samples were withdrawn at 1 , 2 , 10 , 15 , 30 , 60 and 120 min and /or activity in counteracting myoclonic seizures or myo after injection . Plasma was assayed for 5a ,3a - P by LC -MS . 35 clonic epilepsy in humans . Each point represents at least 4 animals . In various embodiments , the subject may be at risk of exposure to or may have been exposed to a nerve agent or DETAILED DESCRIPTION a pesticide that can cause seizures. Illustrative nerve agents that can cause seizures include , e . g . , organophosphorus 1 . Introduction 40 nerve agents , e . g . , tabun , sarin , soman , GF, VR and /or VX . Treatment of status epilepicus requires rapid administra - Illustrative pesticides that can cause seizures include , e . g . , tion of anti - seizure agents , which are typically delivered organophosphate pesticides ( e . g . , Acephate (Orthene ) , Azin either by the intravenous (IV ) or intramuscular ( IM ) routes . phos -methyl (Gusathion , Guthion ) , Bensulide (Betasan , Allopregnanolone (3a -hydroxy -5a -pregnan - 20 -one ; 5a ,3a Lescosan ), Bomyl (Swat ) , Bromophos (Nexion ), Bro P ) , an endogenous progesterone -derived steroid that is a 45 mophos - ethyl (Nexagan ), Cadusafos (Apache , Ebufos , positive allosteric modulator of GABA , receptors , is a Rugby ) , Carbophenothion ( Trithion ) , Chlorethoxyfos (For powerful anti - seizure agent with potential in the treatment of tress ), Chlorfenvinphos ( Apachlor, Birlane ), Chlormephos status epilepticus . The present study determines and dem - (Dotan ) , Chlorphoxim ( Baythion - C ) , Chlorpyrifos (Brodan , onstrates the dosing of allopregnanolone to protect against Dursban , Lorsban ) , Chlorthiophos (Celathion ) , Coumaphos seizures when delivered intravenously ( i. v . ), intramuscularly 50 (Asuntol , Co - Ral) , Crotoxyphos (Ciodrin , Cypona ), Crufo ( i. m .) , subcutaneously (s . c .) or orally (p .o .) . mate (Ruelene ) , Cyanofenphos ( Surecide ) , Cyanophos 2 . Subjects Who can Benefit (Cyanox ) , Cythioate (Cyflee , Proban ), DEF (De - Green ) , In various embodiments , the subject has a condition that E - Z -Off D ), Demeton (Systox ), Demeton -S -methyl (Dura can be treated or mitigated by administration of a neuros - tox , Metasystoxl) , Dialifor ( Torak ) , Diazinon , Dichlorofen teroid , e . g ., allopregnanolone. Allopregnanolone has many 55 thion , (VC - 13 Nemacide ), Dichlorvos ( DDVP , Vapona ) , medical uses , including the treatment, reduction , and / or Dicrotophos (Bidrin ) , Dimefos (Hanane , Pestox XIV ) , mitigation of symptoms associated with and /or caused by Dimethoate (Cygon , DeFend ) , Dioxathion (Delnav ), Disul traumatic brain injury , Alzheimer 's disease, epilepsy , anxi foton (Disyston ), Ditalimfos, Edifenphos , Endothion , EPBP ety , fragile X syndrome, post - traumatic stress disorder , (S - seven ) , EPN , Ethion ( Ethanox ), Ethoprop (Mocap ) , Ethyl lysosomal storage disorders (Niemann - Pick type C disease ), 60 parathion ( E605, Parathion , thiophos ), Etrimfos (Ekamet ) , depression ( including post - partum depression ) , premen - Famphur (Bash , Bo - Ana, Famfos) , Fenamiphos (Nemacur ) , strual dysphoric disorder , alcohol craving, and smoking Fenitrothion ( Accothion , Agrothion , Sumithion ) , Fenophos cessation . The subject may or may not be exhibiting symp- phon ( Agritox , trichloronate ), Fensulfothion ( Dasanit ), Fen toms. thion (Baytex , Entex , Tiguvon ) , Fonofos (Dyfonate , Accordingly , the invention also contemplates methods of 65 N -2790 ) , Formothion ( Anthio ) , Fosthietan (Nem - A - Tak ) , treating , reducing , and / or mitigating symptoms associated Heptenophos (Hostaquick ) , Hiometon ( Ekatin ), Hosalone with and /or caused by traumatic brain injury , Alzheimer ' s (Zolone ) , IBP (Kitazin ) , Iodofenphos (Nuvanol - N ) , Isazofos US 10 , 251, 894 B2 (Brace , Miral , Triumph ), Isofenphos (Amaze , Oftanol) , Isoxathion ( E -48 , Karphos) , Leptophos (Phosvel ) , Mala thion (Cythion ), Mephosfolan (Cytrolane ), Merphos (Easy Off - D , Folex ), Methamidophos (Monitor ) , Methidathion ( Supracide, Ultracide ), Methyl parathion ( E601, Penncap - 5 M ) , Methyl trithion , Mevinphos (Duraphos , Phosdrin ) , Mipafox (Isopestox , Pestox XV ) , Monocrotophos ( Azo drin ), Naled (Dibrome ) , Oxydemeton -methyl (Metasystox R ), Oxydeprofos (Metasystox - S ) , Phencapton (G 28029) , Phenthoate (Dimephenthoate , Phenthoate ) , Phorate ( Ram - 10 HO .. . part, Thimet ) , Phosalone ( Azofene , Zolone ), Phosfolan (Cy ? lan , Cyolane ) , Phosmet ( Imidan , Prolate ) , Phosphamidon (Dimecron ) , Phostebupirim ( Aztec ), Phoxim (Baythion ), In various embodiments , the compositions comprise a Pirimiphos - ethyl ( Primicid ) , Pirimiphos -methyl (Actellic ), 15 sulfate, salt . hemisuccinate , nitrosylated , derivative or con Profenofos (Curacron ), Propetamphos (Safrotin ), Propyl gener of allopregnanolone. thiopyrophosphate ( Aspon ), Prothoate (Fac ) , Pyrazophos Other neurosteroids that can be formulated in vehicle ( Afugan , Curamil ), Pyridaphenthion (Ofunack ), Quinalphos suitable for systemic administration , include without limi ( Bayrusil ) , Ronnel (Fenchlorphos , Korlan ), Schradan tation allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone ( 30 ,21 -dihydroxy (OMPA ) , Sulfotep (Bladafum , Dithione, Thiotepp ), Sulpro - 20 5a -pregnan - 20 -one ; THDOC ), 3 0 , 21- dihydroxy -5b -preg fos ( Bolstar , Helothion ), Temephos (Abate , Abathion ), Ter nan - 20 -one , pregnanolone (3a -hydroxy -5B -pregnan -20 bufos (Contraven , Counter ) , Tetrachlorvinphos (Gardona , one ), Ganaxolone (INN , also known as CCD - 1042 ; IUPAC Rabon ), Tetraethyl pyrophosphate ( TEPP ), Triazophos name (3a ,5a ) -3 -hydroxy -5 -methylpregnan - 20 - one; 1 -[ (3R , (Hostathion ) , and Trichlorfon (Dipterex , Dylox , Neguvon , 55 ,8R , 9S , 105 , 138 , 148 , 17S ) - 3 -hydroxy - 3 , 10 , 13 - trimethyl Proxol ) . 25 1, 2 ,4 ,5 ,6 , 7 ,8 , 9 , 11, 12, 14 ,15 , 16 ,17 - tetradecahydrocyclopenta 3 . Steroids hydroxydione , minaxolone , and Althesin ( a mixture of The compositions generally comprise or consist essen alphaxolone , alphadolone , tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone , tially of a steroid , e . g . , a neurosteroid , suspended or dis - pregnenolone , dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA ) , 7 - substi solved in vehicle appropriate for systemic administration , 30 tuted benz [ e ] indene - 3 - carbonitriles ( see , e . g ., Hu , et al. , J e . g ., a cyclodextin , e . g ., hydroxypropyl- beta - cyclodextrin or Med Chem . ( 1993) 36 (24 ) : 3956 -67 ) ; 7 -( 2- hydroxyethyl ) sulfobutylether- beta -cyclodextrin sodium salt , or mixtures benz[ e ]indene analogues ( see , e . g. , Han , et al. , J Med Chem . thereof. ( 1995 ) 38 ( 22 ): 4548 - 56 ) ; 3 alpha - hydroxy - 5 alpha - pregnan 20 - one and 3 alpha - hydroxy - 5 beta - pregnan - 20 - one ana In various embodiments the neurosteroid is allopreg 35 logues (see , e . g ., Han , et al. , J Med Chem . ( 1996 ) 39 (21 ) : nanolone ( ALP ). Allopregnanolone , also known as 3a -hy 4218 -32 ) ; enantiomers of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate , droxy -5a - pregnan - 20 - one or 3a ,5a - tetrahydroprogester pregnenolone sulfate , and (3alpha ,5beta )- 3 -hydroxypreg one, IUPAC name 1 - ( 3 -Hydroxy - 10 , 13 - dimethyl- 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , nan - 20 -one sulfate ( see, e . g ., Nilsson , et al. , J Med Chem . 7 , 8 , 9 , 11, 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 - tetradecahydro - 1H - cyclopenta [ a ] (1998 ) 41 ( 14 ) :2604 - 13 ) ; 13 ,24 -cyclo - 18 ,21 - dinorcholane phenanthren - 17 - yl) ethanone , and referenced as CAS 40 analogues (see , e . g . , Jiang , et al ., J Med Chem . ( 2003 ) number 516 - 54 - 1 , is a prototypic neurosteroid present in the 46 ( 25 ) : 5334 - 48 ) ; N - acylated 17a - aza- D - homosteroid ana blood and also the brain . It is a metabolite of progesterone logues ( see , e . g . , Covey , et al. , J Med Chem . ( 2000 ) 43 ( 17 ) : and modulator of GABA , receptors . While allopreg - 3201- 4 ) ; 5 beta -methyl - 3 -ketosteroid analogues ( see, e . g . , nanolone, like other GABA , receptor active neurosteroids Zeng , et al. , J Org Chem . ( 2000 ) 65 ( 7 ) : 2264 - 6 ) ; 18 -no such as allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (30 ,21 - dihy - 45 randrostan - 17 - one analogues (see , e . g . , Jiang , et al. , J Org droxy -5a - pregnan - 20 - one; THDOC ) , positively modulates Chem . ( 2000 ) 65 ( 11) : 3555 - 7 ) ; ( 3alpha, 5alpha ) - and ( 3alpha, all GABA , receptor isoforms, those isoforms containing 5beta ) - 3 - hydroxypregnan -20 - one analogs (see , e . g ., Zeng , et d -subunits exhibit greater magnitude potentiation . Allopreg - al. , J Med Chem . (2005 ) 48 ( 8 ): 3051- 9 ); benz [f ] indenes (see , nanolone has pharmacological properties similar to other e . g ., Scaglione , et al. , J Med Chem . (2006 ) 49 ( 15 ): 4595 positive modulators of GABA , receptors, including anxi- 50 605 ) ; enantiomers ofandrogens ( see , e. g ., Katona , et al. , Eur olytic and anticonvulsant activity . Allopregnanolone is neu J Med Chem . (2008 ) 43 ( 1 ): 107 - 13 ); cyclopenta [b ]phenan roprotective in many animal models of neurodegenerative threnes and cyclopenta [ b ]anthracenes (see , e . g ., Scaglione, getal et al . , J Med Chem . (2008 ) 51( 5 ) :1309 - 18 ) ; 2beta -hydroxy conditions, including , e . g . , Alzheimer' s disease (Wang et al ., gonane derivatives (see , e .g ., Wang , et al. , Tetrahedron Proc Natl Acad Sci USA . 2010 Apr. 6 ; 107 ( 14 ): 6498 -503 ), 55 ( 2007) 63 ( 33 ) :7977 - 7984 ) ; A16 - alphaxalone and corre cerebral edema (Limmroth et al. , Br J Pharmacol. 1996 sponding 17 - carbonitrile analogues ( see , e . g ., Bandyopad January ; 117 ( 1 ): 99 - 104 ) and traumatic brain injury (He et hyaya , et al. , Bioorg Med Chem Lett. ( 2010 ) 20 ( 22 ) :6680 - 4 ) ; al. , Restor Neurol Neurosci . 2004 ; 22 ( 1 ) : 19 - 31 ; and He , et A ( 16 ) and A ( 17 (20 ) ) analogues of A ( 16 ) -alphaxalone ( see , al ., Exp Neurol. 2004 October; 189( 2 ) :404 - 12 ), Mood dis e . g ., Stastna , et al ., J Med Chem . ( 2011 ) 54 ( 11 ): 3926 - 34 ); orders (Robichaud and Debonnel, Int J Neuropsychopharvchopnar . 60 neurosteroid analogs developed by CoCensys (now Purdue macol. 2006 April ; 9 ( 2 ) : 191 - 200 ) , Niemann - Pick type C Neuroscience ) ( e . g . , CCD - 3693 , Co2 -6749 ( a . k . a . , GMA disease (Griffin et al. , Nat Med . 2004 July ; 10 ( 7 ) :704 - 11) 839 and WAY- 141839 ) ; neurosteroid analogs described in and acts as an anticonvulsant against chemically induced U . S . Pat. No . 7 ,781 , 421 and in PCT Patent Publications WO seizures , including the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ ) model 2008 / 157460 ; WO 1993 /003732 ; WO 1993 /018053 ; WO (Kokate et al. , J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1994 September ; 65 1994/ 027608 ; WO 1995 /021617 ; WO 1996 /016076 ; WO 270 (3 ) :1223 - 9) . The chemical structure of allopregnanolone 1996 /040043 , as well as salts , hemisuccinates, nitrosylated , is depicted below in Formula I : sulfates and derivatives thereof. US 10 , 251, 894 B2 10 In various embodiments , the steroid or neurosteroid is not invention are prepared in a similar manner using a pharma a sex hormone . In various embodiments , the steroid or ceutically acceptable base such as sodium hydroxide , potas neurosteroid is not progesterone . sium hydroxide , ammonium hydroxide , calcium hydroxide , As appropriate , the steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g ., allopreg trimethylamine , or the like . In certain embodiments basic nanolone ) may or may not be micronized . As appropriate , 5 salts include alkali metal salts , e . g . , the sodium salt , and the steroid or neurosteroid ( e. g ., allopregnanolone ) may or copper salts . may not be enclosed in microspheres in suspension in the For the preparation of salt forms of basic drugs , the pKa oil. of the counterion is preferably at least about 2 pH lower than 4 . Formulation and Administration the pKa of the drug . Similarly, for the preparation of salt In varying embodiments , the steroid and /or an analog 10 forms of acidic drugs, the pKa of the counterion is prefer thereof can be administered systemically , e . g. , intramuscu - ably at least about 2 pH higher than the pKa of the drug . This larly ( IM ) , or depo - IM , subcutaneously (SQ ) , and depo - SQ ), permits the counterion to bring the solution ' s pH to a level as appropriate or desired . In varying embodiments , the lower than the pHmax to reach the salt plateau , at which the dosage form is selected to facilitate delivery to the brain solubility of salt prevails over the solubility of free acid or ( e . g ., passage through the blood brain barrier) . In this 15 base . The generalized rule of difference in pKa units of the context it is noted that the steroids or neurosteroids ( e . g ., ionizable group in the active pharmaceutical ingredient allopregnanolone ) described herein can be readily delivered ( API) and in the acid or base is meant to make the proton to the brain . Dosage forms known to those of skill in the art transfer energetically favorable . When the pKa of the API and counterion are not significantly different, a solid com Compositions are provided that contain therapeutically 20 plex may form but may rapidly disproportionate ( e . g ., break effective amounts of the steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g ., allo - down into the individual entities of drug and counterion ) in pregnanolone ) . The steroids or neurosteroids ( e . g ., allopreg - an aqueous environment. nanolone) are preferably formulated into suitable pharma- Preferably , the counterion is a pharmaceutically accept ceutical preparations such as tablets , capsules , or elixirs for able counterion . Suitable anionic salt forms include , but are oral administration or in sterile solutions or suspensions for 25 not limited to acetate , benzoate , benzylate , bitartrate , bro parenteral administration . Typically the steroids or neuros mide, carbonate , chloride, citrate , edetate , edisylate , esto teroids ( e . g ., allopregnanolone ) described above are formu - late , fumarate , gluceptate , gluconate , hydrobromide , hydro lated into pharmaceutical compositions using techniques chloride , iodide , lactate , lactobionate , malate , maleate , and procedures well known in the art. mandelate , mesylate , methyl bromide , methyl sulfate , These steroids or neurosteroids ( e . g ., allopregnanolone ) 30 mucate , napsylate , nitrate , pamoate ( embonate ) , phosphate or analogs thereof can be administered in the “ native ” form and diphosphate , salicylate and disalicylate , stearate , succi or, if desired , in the form of salts , esters , amides , prodrugs , nate , sulfate , tartrate , tosylate , triethiodide , valerate , and the derivatives , and the like , provided the salt , ester , amide , like , while suitable cationic salt forms include , but are not prodrug or derivative is suitable pharmacologically effec - limited to aluminum , benzathine , calcium , ethylene diamine , tive , e . g . , effective in the present method ( s ) . Salts , esters , 35 lysine, magnesium , meglumine, potassium , procaine, amides , prodrugs and other derivatives of the active agents sodium , tromethamine , zinc , and the like . can be prepared using standard procedures known to those In various embodiments preparation of esters typically skilled in the art of synthetic organic chemistry and involves functionalization of hydroxyl and /or carboxyl described , for example , by March (1992 ) Advanced Organic groups that are present within the molecular structure of the Chemistry ; Reactions, Mechanisms and Structure , 4th Ed . 40 active agent. In certain embodiments , the esters are typically N . Y . Wiley - Interscience . acyl- substituted derivatives of free alcohol groups , e . g . , Methods of formulating such derivatives are known to moieties that are derived from carboxylic acids of the those of skill in the art . For example , the disulfide salts of a formula RCOOH where R is alky , and preferably is lower number of delivery agents are described in PCT Publication alkyl. Esters can be reconverted to the free acids, if desired , WO 2000/ 059863 which is incorporated herein by reference . 45 by using conventional hydrogenolysis or hydrolysis proce Similarly , acid salts of therapeutic peptides, peptoids, or d ures. other mimetics , and can be prepared from the free base using Amides can also be prepared using techniques known to conventional methodology that typically involves reaction those skilled in the art or described in the pertinent literature . with a suitable acid . Generally , the base form of the drug is For example , amides may be prepared from esters , using dissolved in a polar organic solvent such as methanol or 50 suitable amine reactants , or they may be prepared from an ethanol and the acid is added thereto . The resulting salt anhydride or an acid chloride by reaction with ammonia or either precipitates or can be brought out of solution by a lower alkyl amine . addition of a less polar solvent. Suitable acids for preparing Determination of an effective amount for administration acid addition salts include , but are not limited to both in a single dosage is well within the capability of those organic acids, e . g ., acetic acid , propionic acid , glycolic acid , 55 skilled in the art , especially in light of the detailed disclosure pyruvic acid , oxalic acid , malic acid , malonic acid , succinic provided herein . Generally , an efficacious or effective acid , maleic acid , fumaric acid , tartaric acid , citric acid , amount of the steroid or neurosteroid ( e .g ., allopreg benzoic acid , cinnamic acid , mandelic acid , methanesulfonic nanolone) is determined by first administering a low dose or acid , ethanesulfonic acid , p - toluenesulfonic acid , salicylic small amount of the agent and then incrementally increasing acid , orotic acid , and the like , as well as inorganic acids, e . g . , 60 the administered dose or dosages , adding a second or third hydrochloric acid , hydrobromic acid , sulfuric acid , nitric medication as needed , until a desired effect of is observed in acid , phosphoric acid , and the like. An acid addition salt can the treated subject with minimal or no toxic side effects . be reconverted to the free base by treatment with a suitable Applicable methods for determining an appropriate dose and base . Certain particularly preferred acid addition salts of the dosing schedule for administration of a combination of the active agents herein include halide salts , such as may be 65 present invention are described , for example , in Brunton , et prepared using hydrochloric or hydrobromic acids . Con - al. , Goodman and Gilman ' s The Pharmacological Basis of versely , preparation of basic salts of the active agents of this Therapeutics, 12th Edition , 2010 , McGraw -Hill Profes US 10 , 251 , 894 B2 12 sional; in a Physicians ' Desk Reference (PDR ) , 66th Edition , Aerosols characterized by a MMAD ranging from about 1 2012 ; in Loyd , et al. , Remington : The Science and Practice um to about 3 um can deposit on alveoli walls through of Pharmacy, 2244 Ed ., 2012 , Pharmaceutical Press; in Mar gravitational settling and can be absorbed into the systemic tindale : The Complete Drug Reference , Sweetman , 2005 , circulation , while aerosols characterized by a MMAD rang London : Pharmaceutical Press . , and in Martindale , Martin - 5 ing from about 0 . 01 um to 0 . 10 um can also be deposited on dale : The Extra Pharmacopoeia , 31st Edition . , 1996 , Amer the alveoli walls through diffusion . Aerosols characterized Pharmaceutical Assn , each of which are hereby incorporated by a MMAD ranging from about 0 . 15 um to about 1 um are herein by reference . In various embodiments , the composi- generally exhaled . Thus , in various embodiments , aerosol tions are formulated , e . g . , for oral administration , at a dose particulates can have a MMAD ranging from 0 .01 um to in the range of about 5 mg /kg to about 250 mg/ kg of the 10 about 5 um , for example , ranging from about 0 .05 um to steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ), e . g . , about about 3 um , for example , ranging from about 1 um to about 5 mg/ kg , 10 mg /kg , 15 mg/ kg , 20 mg/ kg , 25 mg/ kg , 30 3 um , for example , ranging from about 0 .01 um to about 0 . 1 mg/ kg , 35 mg/ kg , 40 mg/ kg , 45 mg/ kg , 50 mg/ kg , 75 mg/ kg , um . The nebulized and /or aerosolized steroids or neuroster 100 mg/ kg , 125 mg/ kg , 150 mg/kg , 200 mg/ kg , or 250 oids ( e . g ., allopregnanolone) can be delivered to the distal mg/ kg . 15 alveoli , allowing for rapid absorption and efficacy . About 1 to 1000 mg of a steroid or neurosteroid (e . g. , In various embodiments , the steroids or neurosteroids allopregnanolone ) , or a physiologically acceptable salt or ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) is formulated in a solution compris ester is compounded with a physiologically acceptable ing excipients suitable for aerosolized intrapulmonary deliv vehicle , carrier , excipient, binder, preservative , stabilizer, ery . The solution can comprise one or more pharmaceuti flavor , etc ., in a unit dosage form as called for by accepted 20 cally acceptable carriers and /or excipients . Pharmaceutically pharmaceutical practice . The amount of active substance in acceptable refers to approved or approvable by a regulatory those compositions or preparations is such that a suitable agency of the Federal or a state government or listed in the dosage in the range indicated is obtained . The compositions U . S Pharmacopoeia or other generally recognized pharma are preferably formulated in a unit dosage form , each dosage copoeia for use in animals , and more particularly in humans . containing from about 1 - 1000 mg , 2 - 800 mg, 5 -500 mg, 25 Preferably , the solution is buffered such that the solution is 10 - 400 mg, 50 - 200 mg, e . g . , about 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 in a relatively neutral pH range , for example , a pH in the mg, 25 mg, 30 mg, 35 mg, 40 mg, 45 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg, 70 range of about 4 to 8 , for example , a pH in the range of about mg, 80 mg, 90 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg, 500 5 - 7 . In some embodiments , the steroids or neurosteroids mg , 600 mg, 700 mg, 800 mg , 900 mg or 1000 mg of the ( e . g ., allopregnanolone ) is formulated in a buffered solution , active ingredient. In varying embodiments , the steroid or 30 for example , phosphate -buffered saline . neurosteroid ( e . g ., allopregnanolone ) is administered sys - In various embodiments , the steroids or neurosteroids temically ( e . g ., intramuscularly, intravenously , subcutane - ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) is prepared as a concentrated aque ously ) at a dose in the range of about 0 .25 mg/ kg to about ous solution . Ordinary metered dose liquid inhalers have 15 mg/kg , e .g ., about 0 . 25 mg/ kg to about 15 mg/ kg , e . g . , poor efficiency for the delivery to the deep lung because the about 0 .25 , 0 . 5 , 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 35 particle size is not sufficiently small (Kim et al. , 1985 Am 15 mg/ kg . The term “ unit dosage from ” refers to physically Rev Resp Dis 132: 137 - 142 ; and Farr et al ., 1995 Thorax discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for human subjects 50 :639 -644 ) . These systems are therefore used mostly for and other mammals , each unit containing a predetermined local delivery of drugs to the pulmonary airways . In addi quantity of active material calculated to produce the desired tion , metered doses inhalers may not be able to deliver therapeutic effect , in association with a suitable pharmaceu - 40 sufficient volumes of even a concentrated steroids or neu tical excipient. rosteroids ( e . g ., allopregnanolone ) solution to produce the In varying embodiments, the steroids or neurosteroids desired rapid antiseizure effect . Accordingly, in various ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) are formulated for intrapulmonary embodiments , a metered doses inhaler is not used for administration . In various embodiments, the steroids or delivery of the steroids or neurosteroids ( e . g ., allopreg delivery via an inhaler. the capability of delivering < 5 um particles ( e . g ., the PARI In various embodiments , the steroids or neurosteroids LC Star, which has a high efficiency, 78 % respirable fraction ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) are nebulized . Methods and systems 0 . 1 - 5 um . see , e . g . , pari. com ) is used for intrapulmonary for intrapulmonary delivery of steroids or neurosteroids administration . Electronic nebulizers which employ a vibrat ( e . g ., allopregnanolone ) are known in the art and find use . 50 ing mesh or aperture plate to generate an aerosol with the Illustrative systems for aerosol delivery of steroids or neu required particle size can deliver sufficient quantities rapidly rosteroids ( e . g ., allopregnanolone ) by inhalation are and find use ( See , e . g. , Knoch and Keller, 2005 Expert Opin described , e . g . , in U . S . Pat. Nos. 5 ,497 , 763; 5 , 660 , 166 ; Drug Deliv 2 : 377 - 390 ) . Also , custom -designed hand -held , 7 ,060 ,255 ; and 7 ,540 ,286 , and U . S . Patent Publication Nos. electronic nebulizers can be made and find use . 2003 /0032638 ; and 2006 / 0052428 , each ofwhich are hereby 55 Aerosolized delivery of steroids or neurosteroids ( e . g ., incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all allopregnanolone ) allows for reduced dosing to achieve purposes . Preferably, the steroids or neurosteroids ( e . g ., desired efficacy, e . g . , in comparison to intravenous or intra allopregnanolone ) are nebulized without the input of heat. nasal delivery . Appropriate dosing will depend on the size For administration of the nebulized and /or aerosolized and health of the patient and can be readily determined by steroids or neurosteroids ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) , the size of 60 a trained clinician . Initial doses are low and then can be the aerosol particulates can be within a range appropriate for incrementally increased until the desired therapeutic effect is intrapulmonary delivery , particularly delivery to the distal achieved with little or no adverse side effects . In various alveoli . In various embodiments, the aerosol particulates embodiments , the steroids or neurosteroids ( e . g ., allopreg have a mass median aerodynamic diameter ( “ MMAD ” ) of nanolone ) are administered via the intrapulmonary route at less than about 5 um , 4 um , 3 um , for example , ranging from 65 a dose that is about 10 % , 15 % , 25 % , 50 % or 75 % of about 1 um to about 3 um , e . g . , from about 2 um to about 3 established doses for their administration via other routes um , e .g ., ranging from about 0 .01 um to about 0 . 10 um . (e .g ., via oral, intravenous or intranasal administration ). In US 10 , 251 , 894 B2 13 14 some embodiments , the steroids or neurosteroids ( e . g ., allo pregnanolone ) is included in the pharmaceutically pregnanolone ) are administered via the intrapulmonary acceptable carrier in an amount sufficient to exert a thera route at a dose in the range of about 0 .05 mg/ kg to about 1. 0 peutically useful effect in the absence of undesirable side mg/ kg , for example , about 0 . 2 mg/ kg to about 0 . 8 mg/kg , for effects on the patient treated . The therapeutically effective example , about 0 .05 mg/ kg , 0. 08 mg/ kg , 0 .1 mg/ kg , 0 .2 5 concentration may be determined empirically by testing the mg/ kg , 0 . 3 mg/kg , 0 . 4 mg/kg , 0 . 5 mg/ kg , 0 .6 mg/ kg , 0 . 7 steroids or neurosteroids ( e. g ., allopregnanolone ) in known mg/ kg , 0 . 8 mg/kg , 0 . 9 mg/kg , or 1 . 0 mg/ kg . In some in vitro and in vivo model systems for the treated disorder . embodiments , the steroids or neurosteroids ( e . g . , allopreg A therapeutically or prophylactically effective dose can be nanolone ) are administered via the intrapulmonary route at a dose in the range of about 10 ug/ kg to about 80 ug/ kg , for 10 determined by first administering a low dose , and then example , about 20 ug /kg to about 60 ug /kg , for example , incrementally increasing until a dose is reached that about 25 ug/ kg to about 50 ug / kg , for example , about 10 achieves the desired effect with minimal or no undesired side ug /kg , 15 ug /kg , 20 ug/ kg , 25 ug/ kg , 30 ug /kg , 35 ug /kg , 40 effects. ug /kg , 45 ug /kg , 50 ug/ kg , 60 ug /kg , 70 ug /kg , or 80 ug /kg . In various embodiments , the steroids or neurosteroids In some embodiments , the steroids or neurosteroids (eg . 15 ( e . g ., allopregnanolone ) and / or analogs thereof can be allopregnanolone ) are administered via the intrapulmonary enclosed in multiple or single dose containers . The enclosed route at a dose in the range of about 0 .3 ug /kg to about 3 .0 compounds and compositions can be provided in kits , for ug /kg . example , including component parts that can be assembled To prepare compositions, the steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g ., for use . For example , a compound inhibitor in lyophilized allopregnanolone ) is mixed with a suitable pharmaceutically 20 form and a suitable diluent may be provided as separated acceptable carrier. Upon mixing or addition of the com - components for combination prior to use . A kit may include pound ( s ), the resulting mixture may be a solution , suspen - a compound inhibitor and a second therapeutic agent for sion , emulsion , or the like . Liposomal suspensions may also co -administration . The inhibitor and second therapeutic be suitable as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers . These agent may be provided as separate component parts . A kit may be prepared according to methods known to those 25 may include a plurality of containers , each container holding skilled in the art. The form of the resulting mixture depends one or more unit dose of the compounds . The containers are upon a number of factors, including the intended mode of preferably adapted for the desired mode of administration , administration and the solubility of the steroid or neuros including, but not limited to depot products , pre - filled teroid ( e . g ., allopregnanolone ) in the selected carrier or syringes , ampules , vials , and the like for parenteral admin vehicle. The effective concentration is sufficient for lessen - 30 istration ing or ameliorating at least one symptom of the disease , The concentration and /or amount of steroid or neuroster disorder, or condition treated and may be empirically deter - oid (e . g ., allopregnanolone ) in the drug composition will mined . depend on absorption , inactivation , and excretion rates of Pharmaceutical carriers or vehicles suitable for adminis - the steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) , the tration of the steroids or neurosteroids ( e . g . , allopreg - 35 dosage schedule , and amount administered as well as other nanolone ) provided herein include any such carriers known factors known to those of skill in the art. to those skilled in the art to be suitable for the particular The active ingredient may be administered at once , or mode of administration ( e . g . , cyclodextrins ) . In addition , the may be divided into a number of smaller doses to be active materials can also be mixed with other active mate - administered at intervals of time. It is understood that the rials that do not impair the desired action , or with materials 40 precise dosage and duration of treatment is a function of the that supplement the desired action , or have another action . disease being treated and may be determined empirically The steroids or neurosteroids ( e . g ., allopregnanolone ) may using known testing protocols or by extrapolation from in be formulated as the sole pharmaceutically active ingredient vivo or in vitro test data . It is to be noted that concentrations in the composition or may be combined with other active and dosage values may also vary with the severity of the ingredients . 45 condition to be alleviated . It is to be further understood that Where the steroids or neurosteroids ( e . g ., allopreg - for any particular subject, specific dosage regimens should nanolone ) exhibit insufficient solubility , methods for solu be adjusted over time according to the individual need and bilizing may be used . Such methods are known and include , the professional judgment of the person administering or but are not limited to , using cosolvents such as dimethyl- supervising the administration of the compositions , and that sulfoxide (DMSO ) , using surfactants such as TweenTM , and 50 the concentration ranges set forth herein are exemplary only dissolution in aqueous sodium bicarbonate . Derivatives of and are not intended to limit the scope or practice of the the steroids or neurosteroids ( e. g ., allopregnanolone ) , such claimed compositions . as salts or prodrugs may also be used in formulating effec - 5 . Monitoring Efficacy tive pharmaceutical compositions . In various embodiments, administration of a steroid or The concentration of the steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g . , 55 neurosteroid ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) to a subject results in allopregnanolone ) is effective for delivery of an amount the prevention or mitigation of one ormore symptomsof the upon administration that lessens or ameliorates at least one disease condition being treated ( e . g . , traumatic brain injury , symptom of the disorder for which the compound is admin - Alzheimer ' s disease , epilepsy, anxiety , fragile X syndrome, istered and / or that is effective in a prophylactic context. post - traumatic stress disorder , lysosomal storage disorders Typically , the compositions are formulated for single dosage 60 (Niemann -Pick type C disease ), depression ( including post ( e . g . , daily ) administration . partum depression ), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, alco The steroids or neurosteroids ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) hol craving , and smoking cessation ) . Symptoms of disease may be prepared with carriers that protect them against rapid can be compared before and after administration of a steroid elimination from the body, such as time- release formulations or neurosteroid ( e . g ., allopregnanolone ) to the subject . or coatings. Such carriers include controlled release formu - 65 Administration of the steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g . , allopreg lations , such as, but not limited to , microencapsulated deliv - nanolone ) to the subject is considered to be effective if the ery systems. The active steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g ., allo symptoms no longer occur after administration ( e . g . , sei US 10 , 251, 894 B2 15 zures ) , or if the symptoms are reduced , alleviated and /or Results : mitigated after administration . 50 ,3a - P exhibited protective activity in the 6 Hz test 1 - 15 In various embodiments , administration of a steroid or min after i. v . infusion ( 1. 5 mg/ kg ) but was inactive at 30 neurosteroid (eg , allopregnanolone ) to a subiect results in min . In contrast , with 1. m . administration ( 3 mg/ kg ) the 5 onset of protective activity was slower (within 2 min ) and the prevention of the occurrence of an impending seizure 5 lasted < 2 h . At a dose of 0 . 1 mg/ kg i. v . 50 , 3a - P failed to and/ or the termination or abortion of a seizure in progress . significantly delay seizure onset in the PTZ model at all In various embodiments , efficacy can be monitored by the pretreatment times ( 1 , 2 and 30 min ) whereas a dose of 0 . 5 subject . For example , in a subject experiencing aura or mg/ kg administered 1 min before PTZ caused a marked receiving a warning from a seizure prediction device, the delay for myoclonic jerks and clonic seizures and in 62 . 5 % subject can self - administer a dose of the steroid or neuros - of animals prevented tonic seizures and mortality that invari teroid (e . g ., allopregnanolone ). If the steroid or neurosteroid ably accompanies tonic seizures . When injected 2 min ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) is administered in an efficacious before PTZ 50 , 30 - P ( 0 . 5 mg/ kg ) caused a similar increase amount the sensation of aura should subside and / or the in time to onset of seizures signs and prevented tonic seizures in 25 % of animals . seizure prediction device should no longer predict the immi 15 5a , 3a - P at a dose of 1 . 5 mg/ kg completely prevented nent occurrence of an impending seizure . If the sensation of tonic seizures and mortality when injected i. v . 1 and 2 min aura does not subside and / or the seizure prediction device before PTZ . When injected i. m . 2 min before PTZ , 0 .25 , 0 .5 continues to predict an impending seizure , a second dose of and 1 . 5 mg/ kg 5a ,3a - P protected 0 % , 50 % and 100 % , steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) can be respectively , of animals from tonic seizures . 50 , 3a - P at the administered . 20 dose of 1 . 5 mg/ kg i . m . provided significant protection In other embodiments , the efficacy is monitored by a against tonic seizures when injected 30 min before PTZ ; the caregiver. For example , in a subject experiencing the onset same dose injected i. v . 30 min before PTZ was inactive . In of a seizure or in situations where a seizure has commenced , rats , an i. v . bolus dose of 0 . 5 and 1 . 0 mg/ kg 50 ,3a - P caused the subject may require administration of the steroid or mean peak plasma levels ( 2 min ) of 337 and 746 ng /ml , neurosteroid (e . g ., allopregnanolone ) by a caregiver. If the 25 respectively ; for both doses , the pooled mean two compo steroid or neurosteroid ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) is adminis - nent halftimes were 2 and 22 min . tered in an efficacious amount, the seizure , along with the Conclusions: subject' s symptoms of the seizure , should terminate or abort . Our results demonstrate that i. v . 50 ,3a - P provides very If the seizure does not terminate , a second dose of the steroid rapid but transitory anticonvulsant activity. When injected or neurosteroid ( e . g . , allopregnanolone ) can be adminis - 3030 i. m ., 50 ,30 - P acts comparably quickly and has a longer tered . duration of action . Parenteral 5a , 3a - P may be useful for the acute treatment of seizures . Detailed Methods EXAMPLES Animals . Male NIH Swiss mice ( 22 - 30 g ) served as + 35 subjects , and all procedures used in these studies were The following examples are offered to illustrate , but not conducted in accordance with the University of California , to limit the claimed invention . Davis, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee the Animal Care and Use policies in strict compliance with the Example 1 Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the 40 National Research Council (National Academy Press, Wash Anticonvulsant Activity of Intravenous and ington , D . C .; on the internet at nap .edu / readingroom / books/ Intramuscular Allopregnanolone labrats /) . Test Substances and Drug Administration . Allopreg Rationale : nanolone ( 3a -hydroxy -5a -pregnan - 20 -one ; 5a , 3a - P ) was Treatment of status epilepicus requires rapid administra - 45 synthesized by a SAFC Pharma Inc , Madison , Wis ., USA tion of antiseizure agents , which are typically delivered and Captisol (sulfobutylether -beta -cyclodextrin sodium salt ) either by the intravenous ( i. v .) or intramuscular ( i. m . ) routes. was provided by Ligand Pharmaceuticals , Inc . La Jolla , Allopregnanolone ( 3a -hydroxy -5a - pregnan - 20 -one ; 50 , 3a - Calif ., USA . Solutions of50 ,30 - P were made in 6 % ( 0 . 5 and P ) , an endogenous progesterone - derived steroid that is a 1 . 5 mg/ ml ) or 24 % ( 6 mg /kg ) sulfobutylether - ß -cyclodex positive allosteric modulator of GABA , receptors , is a 50 trin sodium salt (Captisol® ) in 0 . 9 % saline . The volumes powerful antiseizure agent with potential in the treatment of used for all injections were 10 - 20 ml/kg of body weight. In status epilepticus. The objective of this study was to deter order to establish time courses for protection by 5a ,3a - P in mine the dosing of allopregnanolone to protect against the 6 - Hz electricalstimulation (32 mA , 3 s ) model , 50 , 30 - P seizures when delivered i. v. and i . m . ( 0 . 5 - 6 mg/ kg ) was administered intravenously ( i. v . ), intra Methods : 55 muscularly ( i. m . ) , subcutaneously ( s . c .) or orally (p . o . ) The mouse 6 Hz and pentylenetetrazol seizure models before electrical stimulation . In the PTZ seizure test , were used . Solutions of 50 ,3a - P were made in 6 % ( 0 . 5 and 5a3a - P or vehicle were administered i. v . or i. m . 1 , 2 or 30 1 .5 mg/ ml ) sulfobutylether- ß -cyclodextrin sodium salt min before PTZ . (Captisol® ) in 0 . 9 % saline . The solutions were injected i. v . Seizures Models or i . m . ( 1 , 2 and 30 min or 2 and 30 min , respectively ) prior 60 6 -Hz Seizure Test (Kaminski , et al ., Epilepsia (2004 ) to administration of the 6 Hz electrical stimulus or PTZ (80 45 : 1 - 4 ) : 3 - s corneal stimulation ( 200 - us duration , 32 -mA mg/ kg , i. p .) . In case of the PTZ model, animals were monopolar rectangular pulses at 6 Hz ) was delivered by a observed for 30 min and times to myoclonic jerks and clonic constant- current device ( ECT Unit 5780 ; Ugo Basile , Com and tonic seizures were recorded . Anticonvulsant activity erio , Italy ) . After the stimulation , the animals exhibited a was assessed by the delay in onset of seizure signs . Allo - 65 " stunned ” posture associated with rearing and automatic pregnanolone plasma levels in rats were determined by movements that lasted from 60 to 120 s in untreated animals . LC -MS . The experimental end point was protection against the US 10 , 251, 894 B2 17 18 seizure: an animal was considered to be protected if it Results are shown in FIGS . 1 - 10. Our results demonstrate resumed its normal exploratory behavior within 10 s of that i. v . 50 , 30 - P provides very rapid but transitory anticon stimulation . vulsant activity . When injected i . m ., 5a , 3a - P acts compa Pentylenetetrazol Seizure Test (Kokate , et al. , J Pharma rably quickly and has a longer duration of action . Low col Exp Ther ( 1994 ) 270 : 1223 - 9 ) : mice were injected intra - 5 peritoneally with PTZ (80 mg/ kg ) and were observed for 4a - 5 bioavailability of 50 ,3C - P after oral administration prolongs 30 -min period . The time of onset ofmyoclonic jerks, clonus the time of the peak effect and duration of action . Parenteral and tonic extension was recorded . 50 , 3a - P is useful for the acute treatment of seizures. Surgery and Blood Collection . Male rats were implanted It is understood that the examples and embodiments with indwelling jugular catheters as described (Baumann , et described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that al. , J Neurosci. ( 1998 ) 18 : 9069 - 77 ) . Animals were allowed tº various modifications or changes in light thereof will be to recover for at least one week . Experiments were carried suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included out while the animal resided in its home cage. Rats received within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of i. v . injection of vehicle or 5a3a - P and serial blood samples the appended claims. All publications , patents , and patent were withdrawn into chilled tubes at 1 , 2 , 10, 15 , 30, 60 and applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by refer 120 min after i. v . injection . 50 ,3a - P and D4 -50 ,3a -P ( inter - 15 ence in their entirety for all purposes. nal standard ) were extracted with SPE method from rat' s plasma . The extracted 5a , 3a - P and D4 - 5a ,3a - P were quan tified with ultra - performance liquid chromatography What is claimed is : (UPLC ) / Atmospheric - pressure chemical ionization ( APCI) / 1 . A method of treating post -partum depression in a tandem mass spectrometry (MS / MS ) . subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the Data Analysis . Results are expressed as mean : S . E . M .; the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising significance of the difference in the responses of treatment allopregnanolone and sulfobutylether -beta -cyclodextrin salt , groups with respect to control is based on one -way analysis wherein the composition is administered intravenously (i . v. ) . of variance ( ANOVA ) followed by specific post hoc com 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human . parisons using Dunnett 's test . Differences were considered 25 3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition further statistically significant when the probability of error was less - comprises a buffer . than 0 .05 ( p < 0 . 05 ) .