Novelty: This invention is a method for screening for orexigenic (weight inducing) antipsychotic drugs.
Value Proposition: Atypical antipsychotic drugs (AAPDs) have revolutionized the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychoses, however, certain AAPDs cause weight gain. Weight gain is a side effect that can make the drug less successful in the market. There is currently no method to screen potential AAPDs to determine if they are orexigenic or not. The inventors have identified the mechanism causing weight gain and have developed a screening method to identify which AAPDs are orexigenic. Additional advantages of this method include:
• Method can aid in the development of non-orexigenic AAPDs.
• Potential applications to screen for orexigenic antidepressants.
• Possibility to develop this technique into a more rapid method of screening.
Technical Details: Johns Hopkins researchers have identified the molecular mechanism through which orexigenic side effects arise from AAPDs. These drugs stimulate hypothalamic AMP kinase (AMPK) and block H1 receptors, causing weight gain in the patient. This method uses tissue samples from rats to screen for a drugs influence on AMPK and H1 receptors. Since the chemical structure of antidepressants closely resembles that of AAPDs, it is possible this technique could also screen for orexigenic antidepressants.
Looking for Partners: This technology can be commercialized as a screening method for potential food intake-related side effects of drug candidates. Alternatively, the screening method could be used to identify agents for patients in need of appetite-inducing agents, such as chemotherapy patients.
Patent Status: Granted US Patent
8,148,095 Publications/Associated Cases: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Feb 27;104(9):3456-9.
