Described are pharmacological compositions comprising a gum resin; a pharmacologically active agent and a topically acceptable volatile solvent for the gum resin and active agent. Also described are methods for the transdermal or transmucosal delivery of a pharmacologically active agent using such compositions.

Four genes, A622, NBB1, PMT, and QPT, can be influenced for increasing nicotinic alkaloid levels in Nicotiana plants, as well as for synthesizing nicotinic alkaloids in non-nicotine producing plants and cells. In particular, overexpressing one or more of A622, NBB1, PMT, and QPT may be used to increase nicotine and nicotinic alkaloid levels in tobacco plants. Non-nicotine producing cells can be engineered to produce nicotine and related compounds by overexpressing A622 and NBB1.

Four genes, A622, NBB1, PMT, and QPT, can be influenced for increasing nicotinic alkaloid levels in Nicotiana plants, as well as for synthesizing nicotinic alkaloids in non-nicotine producing plants and cells. In particular, overexpressing one or more of A622, NBB1, PMT, and QPT may be used to increase nicotine and nicotinic alkaloid levels in tobacco plants. Non-nicotine producing cells can be engineered to produce nicotine and related compounds by overexpressing A622 and NBB1.

Novel water stable pharmaceutical compositions, their liquid form oral pharmaceutical compositions and kits thereof, rehydration beverages containing these water stable pharmaceutical compositions methods of manufacture and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The novel aqueous delivery systems are useful, inter alia, as alternative pharmaceutical dosing agents to tablets, capsules and other forms of delivering medication to a mammalian host in need thereof.

Novel water stable pharmaceutical compositions, their liquid form oral pharmaceutical compositions and kits thereof, rehydration beverages containing these water stable pharmaceutical compositions methods of manufacture and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The novel aqueous delivery systems are useful, inter alia, as alternative pharmaceutical dosing agents to tablets, capsules and other forms of delivering medication to a mammalian host in need thereof.

Methods for treatment of disease-induced ataxia and non-ataxic imbalance are disclosed. The methods involve treating a patient with a compound having nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activity.

Methods for treatment of disease-induced ataxia and non-ataxic imbalance are disclosed. The methods involve treating a patient with a compound having nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activity.

A composition intended to be employed for therapeutic purposes incorporates nicotine and at least one other nicotinic compound. Representative forms of nicotine can be as a free base (e.g., as a mixture of nicotine and microcrystalline cellulose), as a form of nicotine salt (e.g., as nicotine bitartrate) or as nicotine polacrilex. The other nicotinic compound is a compound that can be considered to bind selectively to certain nicotinic receptor subtypes, and particularly those of the central nervous system. For example, the other nicotinic compound can be a compound that binds selectively to the nicotinic receptor subtypes α.sub.7 or α.sub.4β.sub.2. The composition is useful for treatment of central nervous system conditions, diseases and disorders, and as a nicotine replacement therapy.

A composition intended to be employed for therapeutic purposes incorporates nicotine and at least one other nicotinic compound. Representative forms of nicotine can be as a free base (e.g., as a mixture of nicotine and microcrystalline cellulose), as a form of nicotine salt (e.g., as nicotine bitartrate) or as nicotine polacrilex. The other nicotinic compound is a compound that can be considered to bind selectively to certain nicotinic receptor subtypes, and particularly those of the central nervous system. For example, the other nicotinic compound can be a compound that binds selectively to the nicotinic receptor subtypes α.sub.7 or α.sub.4β.sub.2. The composition is useful for treatment of central nervous system conditions, diseases and disorders, and as a nicotine replacement therapy.

Embodiments of the invention provide methods for the transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents for the treatment of addictive cravings e.g., nicotine compounds for the treatment of nicotine cravings from tobacco use. An embodiment of a method for such delivery comprises positioning at least one electrode assembly in electrical communication with a patient's skin. The assembly includes a solution comprising a therapeutic agent which passively diffuses into the skin. A dose of agent is delivered from the assembly into the skin during a first period using a first current having a characteristic e.g., polarity and magnitude, to repel the agent out of the assembly. During a second period, a second current having a characteristic to attract the agent is used to retain the agent in the assembly such that delivery of agent into skin is minimized. A dose of agent may be delivered on demand by an input from the patient.