abstract |
This invention relates to the 5-cis and 5-trans isomers of geranylgeranyl acetone, preferably such synthetic isomers, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such isomers. Other aspects of this invention relate to the use of geranylgeranyl acetone and its isomers in methods for inhibiting neural death, increasing neural activity, and increasing axon growth and cell viability. Geranylgeranyl acetone is a known anti-ulcer drug used commercially and in clinical situations. GGA has also been shown to exert cytoprotective effects on a variety of organs, such as the eye, brain, and heart. |