Abstract: Provided is a method of treating or preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a patient subject to, or symptomatic of the disease, wherein the method comprises restoring normal lysosomal pH (pHL), or acidifying an abnormally elevated pHL, thus decreasing or preventing a damaging accumulation of lipofuscin or waste products in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells of the eye of the patient. Further, this method is achieved by modulating the action of the P2X7 and/or P2Y12 receptors of the RPE cells, specifically decreasing the acidity (pHL) of the RPE lysosomes by administering selected receptor antagonists affecting the action of the P2X7 and/or P2Y12 receptors of the RPE. Methods for selecting and quantifying the effectiveness of drugs to restore pHL and determine outer segment clearance rates is also provided using a high through-put screening protocol.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating or preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a patient subject to, or symptomatic of the disease, wherein the method comprises restoring normal lysosomal pH (pHL), or acidifying an abnormally elevated pHL, thus decreasing or preventing a damaging accumulation of lipofuscin or waste products in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells of the eye of the patient. Further, this method is achieved by modulating the action of the P2X7 and/or P2Y12 receptors of the RPE cells, specifically decreasing the acidity (pHL) of the RPE lysosomes by administering selected receptor antagonists affecting the action of the P2X7 and/or P2Y12 receptors of the RPE. Methods for selecting and quantifying the effectiveness of drugs to restore pHL and determine outer segment clearance rates is also provided using a high through-put screening protocol.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating or preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a patient subject to, or symptomatic of the disease, wherein the method comprises restoring normal lysosomal pH (pHL), or acidifying an abnormally elevated pHL, thus decreasing or preventing a damaging accumulation of lipofuscin or waste products in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells of the eye of the patient. Further, this method is achieved by modulating the action of the P2X7 and/or P2Y12 receptors of the RPE cells, specifically decreasing the acidity (pHL) of the RPE lysosomes by administering selected receptor antagonists affecting the action of the P2X7 and/or P2Y12 receptors of the RPE. Methods for selecting and quantifying the effectiveness of drugs to restore pHL and determine outer segment clearance rates is also provided using a high through-put screening protocol.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating or preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a patient subject to, or symptomatic of the disease, wherein the method comprises restoring normal lysosomal pH (pHL), or acidifying an abnormally elevated pHL, thus decreasing or preventing a damaging accumulation of lipofuscin or waste products in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells of the eye of the patient. Further, this method is achieved by elevating cAMP by administering or stimulating receptors coupled to a Gs protein in an amount sufficient to decrease the elevated pHL or restore acidity of said lysosomes, specifically by administering or stimulating receptors comprising D1-like dopamine receptors by the use of D1-like dopamine receptor agonists. Methods for selecting and quantifying the effectiveness of drugs to restore pHL and determine outer segment clearance rates is also provided using a high through-put screening protocol.

Abstract: This invention relates to the neuroprotection of the optic nerve and the treatment of glaucoma, more specifically, the invention is directed to a method of preventing, inhibiting, decreasing incidence and suppressing death in ganglion cells by manipulating the P2X7 and A3 receptors on ganglion cells, by reducing levels of ATP released into the extracellular space of the retina and enhancing the conversion of released extracellular ATP into adenosine.

Abstract: Methods for the prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions of the eye including, but are not limited to: central retinal artery occlusion; central retinal vein occlusion; optic neuropathy including, but not limited to, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and glaucomatous optic neuropathy; and macular (dry) degeneration are disclosed. These methods comprise administering to a patient a prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of a cyclic guanosine 3?,5?-monophosphate phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor. Pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms comprising cyclic guanosine 3?,5?-monophosphate phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting unwanted angiogenesis, particularly those of ocular tissues. The treatment, inhibition, and/or prevention of choroidal neovasculature (CNV) is provided, along with an animal model for CNV and imaging techniques that permit the screening of potential agents as anti-angiogenesis and anti-CNV agents.

Abstract: The first aspect of the invention relates to a method of inducing changes in the cervical mucus of a person to achieve a contraceptive effect, and wherein the method involves administering to the person an effective amount of ebrotidine sufficient to achieve a contraceptive effect. The second aspect of the invention involves a method for treating atrophic vaginitis urinary incontinence and their associated signs and symptoms, in a person, the method involves administering to the person an effective mount of an agent sufficient to treatment of atrophic vaginitis, the agent being selected from a group consisting of stimulants or antagonists, purinergic receptors, a sodium ion update agents and an anion secretion inhibitors.