Resumen

The present invention relates to the use of P2X7 receptor antagonists capable of crossing the hematoencephalic barrier and pharmaceutically-acceptable vehicles, in addition to pharmaceutical compositions thereof, to produce medicaments intended for the treatment of illnesses or conditions associated with: a) absence of or reduction in axonal growth; b) axonal collateral loss; c) nervous lesion; d) loss or degeneration of synaptic connections. In addition, the use is described of said antagonists to promote axonal growth both in cultivated neurons and in transplanted neurons. A method is also included for producing neurons differentiated in vitro commencing from stem cells, comprising culturing said cells in the presence of a P2X7 antagonist, together with the culture obtained through the previously described method, and use thereof for production of medicaments intended for the previously detailed illnesses.