Patent ID: 7229635

Claim:
A method of modulating the release of at least one endogenous compound in vivo, wherein the method comprises delivering intranasally at least one micro-construct comprising at least one agonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to a locus comprising an agonist receptor and a heterologous receptor that are coupled to at least one common G-protein signaling molecule, wherein the micro-construct comprises a surface-eroding, non-bursting polymer of substantially uniform density and provides sustained release of the agonist provided by erosion of an exterior surface defined by the micro-construct to effectively up- or down-regulate at least one G-protein signaling molecule common to both the agonist receptor and the heterologous receptor to potentiate or desensitize the heterologous receptor in order to modulate release of at least one endogenous compound under the control of the heterologous receptor.