Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to heterocyclic compounds that are ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. A second aspect of the invention relates to the use of a compound of the invention for modulation of a mammalian nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The present invention also relates to the use of a compound of the invention for treating a mammal suffering from Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dyskinesias, Tourette's syndrome, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, anxiety, pain, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, chemical substance abuse, alcoholism, memory deficit, pseudodementia, Ganser's syndrome, migraine pain, bulimia, obesity, premenstrual syndrome or late luteal phase syndrome, tobacco abuse, post-traumatic syndrome, social phobia, chronic fatigue syndrome, premature ejaculation, erectile difficulty, anorexia nervosa, disorders of sleep, autism, mutism or trichtillomania.

Abstract: The present invention discloses nicotinic desensitizers and methods of selecting, testing, and using them. The present invention provides methods for selecting nicotinic desensitizers from one or more compounds by using receptor, cell, and tissue models; and methods for testing one or more nicotinic desensitizers for their therapeutic utility by using animal models. The present invention also provides compounds of formula (I) and (II) as nicotinic desensitizers. Nicotinic desensitizers of the present invention are useful for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, diseases, and disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted cytisine compounds that are useful in treating diseases impacted by a nicotinic ACh receptor. One aspect of the invention relates to 10-substituted cytisine compounds. In certain instances, the cytisine is substituted in the 10-position by an alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprises the substituted cytisine compound or the 10-substituted cytisine compound. The invention also relates to a method of modulation a nicotinic ACh receptor in a mammal, comprising the step of administering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a substituted cytisine. In certain instances, the substituted cytisine is a 10-substituted cytisine. Another aspect of the present invention relates a method of treating a disease impacted by a nicotinic ACh receptor, comprising the step of administering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a substituted cytisine.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to heterocyclic compounds that are ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. A second aspect of the invention relates to the use of a compound of the invention for modulation of a mammalian nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The present invention also relates to the use of a compound of the invention for treating a mammal suffering from Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dyskinesias, Tourette's syndrome, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, anxiety, pain, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, chemical substance abuse, alcoholism, memory deficit, pseudodementia, Ganser's syndrome, migraine pain, bulimia, obesity, premenstrual syndrome or late luteal phase syndrome, tobacco abuse, post-traumatic syndrome, social phobia, chronic fatigue syndrome, premature ejaculation, erectile difficulty, anorexia nervosa, disorders of sleep, autism, mutism or trichtillomania.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating, preventing, or reversing neuronal dysfunction including cognitive decline, such as cognitive decline associated with aging and minimal cognitive impairment; severe neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease; and neuronal dysfunction associated with loss of motor skills, such as Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The compositions and methods of the invention can also treat or prevent neuronal dysfunction resulting from CNS injury, such as stroke, spinal-cord injury, and peripheral-nerve injury. The compositions of the invention comprises a huperzine compound and a nicotinic compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating, preventing, or reversing neuronal dysfunction including cognitive decline, such as cognitive decline associated with aging and minimal cognitive impairment; severe neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease; and neuronal dysfunction associated with loss of motor skills, such as Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The compositions and methods of the invention can also treat or prevent neuronal dysfunction resulting from CNS injury, such as stroke, spinal-cord injury, and peripheral-nerve injury. The compositions of the invention comprises a huperzine compound and a nicotinic compound.