Abstract: The present invention provides compounds that are effective in treating central nervous system disorders and maintaining normal brain function. Methods of making and using the compounds are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating neuropathic pain and neuropsychiatric disorders by administering agents that are effective in reducing the effective amount, inactivating, and/or inhibiting the activity of a Na+—K+-2Cl? (NKCC) cotransporter. In certain embodiments, the Na+—K+-2Cl? co-transporter is NKCC1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating selected conditions of the central and peripheral nervous systems employing non-synaptic mechanisms. More specifically, one aspect of the present invention relates to methods and materials for treating seizure and seizure disorders, epilepsy, status epilepticus, migraine, spreading depression, intracranial hypertension; for treating the pathophysiological effects of head trauma, stroke, ischemia and hypoxia; for treating or protecting from the pathophysiological effects of neurotoxic agents such as ethanol; and for treating neuropsychiatric disorders and central nervous system edema by administering agents that modulate ionic concentrations and/or ionic gradients in the brain, particularly ion-dependent or cation-chloride cotransporter antagonists. Electrolyte cotransport antagonists and combinations of such compositions with other agents for treating various conditions are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating disorders of the central and/or peripheral nervous system by administering agents that are effective in reducing the effective amount, inactivating, and/or inhibiting the activity of a Na+—K+—2CT (NKCC) cotransporter. In certain embodiments, the Na+—K+—2Cl? co-transporter is NKCC1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating neuropathic pain and neuropsychiatric disorders by administering agents that are effective in reducing the effective amount, inactivating, and/or inhibiting the activity of a Na+—K+-2Cl? (NKCC) cotransporter. In certain embodiments, the Na+—K+-2Cl? co-transporter is NKCC1.

Abstract: Optical detection techniques for the assessment of the physiological state, health and/or viability of biological materials are provided. Biological materials which may be examined using such techniques include cells, tissues, organs and subcellular components. The inventive techniques may be employed in high throughput screening of potential diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the presence of solid tumor tissue, for identifying and mapping the margins of solid tumors during surgical or diagnostic procedures, and for grading and characterizing tumor tissue by detecting changes in the optical properties of an area of interest suspected to contain tumor tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for distinguishing neuronal tissue from surrounding tissue, for distinguishing functional neuronal tissue from dysfunctional tissue, and for imaging of functional neuronal areas in cerebral cortex by detecting changes in the optical properties of the neuronal tissue following stimulation of neuronal activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for distinguishing neuronal tissue from surrounding tissue, for distinguishing functional neuronal tissue from dysfunctional tissue, and for imaging of functional neuronal areas in cerebral cortex by detecting changes in the optical properties of the neuronal tissue following stimulation of neuronal activity.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for real-time imaging of cortical intrinsic signals or imaging tumor tissue or the margins, dimensions and grade of tumor tissue, comprising, a means for obtaining analog video images and a means for processing the analog video signals into either an averaged control frame or a subsequent frame, a means for acquiring and analyzing a plurality of subsequent frames and averaged control frame to provide a difference image, wherein the difference image is processed to account for movement and noise and amplify the changes across a dynamic range of the apparatus, and a means for displaying the difference image alone or superimposed over an analog video image.

Abstract: Methods for optically imaging blood flow changes, blood flow characteristics and changes in the oxygenation of blood in an area of interest are disclosed. The area of interest is illuminated with electromagnetic radiation(emr) in the visible or infrared regions of the spectrum, and a control image representative of the emr absorption of the area of interest is acquired. A subsequent image representative of the emr absorption is compared to the control image to detect changes in the emr absorption that are indicative of changes in blood flow, changes in blood flow characteristics, or changes in blood oxygenation in the area of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the presence of solid tumor tissue, for identifying and mapping the margins of solid tumors during surgical or diagnostic procedures, and for grading and characterizing tumor tissue by detecting changes in the optical properties of an area of interest suspected to contain tumor tissue.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for imaging tumor tissue adjacent to nerve tissue to aid in selective resection of tumor tissue without destroying nerve tissue, comprising the steps of illuminating an area of interest with a source of electromagnetic radiation (emr) containing wavelengths absorbed by a dye, obtaining a video signal of the area of interest as a series of frames and processing the series of frames into an averaged control image, stimulating the nerve with an appropriate paradigm to activate the nerve, obtaining a nerve subsequent series of frames at the time of stimulation and processing the nerve subsequent series of frames into a nerve subsequent averaged image, obtaining a nerve difference image by subtracting the averaged control image from the nerve subsequent averaged image to image the active nerve, administering the dye into vasculature perfusing the area of interest, obtaining a subsequent series of frames and processing the tumor subsequent series of frames into a tumor subsequent average