This technology uses 5-HT4 receptor agonism as a treatment for both the behavioral and gastrointestinal abnormalities associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Current approaches to treating ASD are limited and may only treat a small set of symptoms. Furthermore, ASD often presents with gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances by mechanisms yet to be fully understood. Multiple hyperactive coding variants of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT) have been identified in ASD, highlighting the potential for targeting SERT for treating ASD. However, the effect that SERT activity has on GI function has yet to be evaluated.
This technology uses 5-HT4 receptor agonists as a treatment for both the behavioral and GI abnormalities associated with ASD. Agonism of the 5-HT4 receptor has been found to lead to increased enteric nervous system neurogenesis and is efficacious in increasing GI motility. Therefore, by administering a 5-HT agonist, such as prucalopride, development defects associated with a mutation in SERT that would otherwise have reduced efficacy of enteric neuronal 5-HT as a growth factor can be alleviated. As a result, this technology provides a potential therapeutic capable of not only reversing the symptoms of ASD and GI dysfunction, but also preventing them.
This technology has been validated in a mouse model of ASD.
IR CU17149
Licensing Contact: Sara Gusik