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: A method is provided for making gene suppression agents to be used in eukaryotic cells by using a recombinant DNA construct containing at least one transcriptional unit compromising a transcriptional promoter, a template sequence for making a RNA molecule, and a transcriptional terminator. Mechanisms of the RNA mediated gene suppression include, but are not limited to, RNA interferences (RNAi). The use of the agents as tools for biomedical research as well as medicinal products is also disclosed.

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: A method for inducing analgesia and/or inhibiting abuse of abusive substances includes administration of d-methadone metabolites or their structural analogs. The d-methadone metabolites, EMDP and EDDP, and their structural analogs may be incorporated into a suitable pharmaceutical composition for administration to patients. The invention includes the method itself, certain structural analogs, and pharmaceutical compositions for use in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A method is provided for making gene suppression agents to be used in eukaryotic cells by using a recombinant DNA construct containing at least one transcriptional unit compromising a transcriptional promoter, a template sequence for making a RNA molecule, and a transcriptional terminator. Mechanisms of the RNA mediated gene suppression include, but not limited to, RNA interferences (RNAi). The use of the agents as tools for biomedical research as well as medicinal products is also disclosed.