Patent ID: 6544971
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: A61K,A61P

Abstract:
A method of increasing alertness in an individual, comprising administering to the vomeronasal organ of that individual an alertness-increasing effective amount of a compound of the formula: where:R1 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkanoyl, or â€”SO3H or a salt thereof; R2 is hydrogen or methylene; R3 is absent, hydrogen, or C1-4 alkyl; one or two non-adjacent members of â€œaâ€ , â€œbâ€ , â€œcâ€ , and â€œdâ€  are optional double bonds; and when R2 is hydrogen, â€œeâ€  is either a double bond or a 16&agr;, 17&agr; epoxide, and when R2 is methylene,â€œeâ€  is absent and â€œfâ€  is a double bond.