Preventive therapeutic of stress-induced psychiatric disorders
This technology is a prophylactic treatment for stress-induced maladaptive behaviors, including fear, depression, and anxiety.
Unmet Need: Therapeutic intervention against stress to prevent mood and anxiety disorders
Mental illnesses affect over 20-30% of adults in the United States, and women are twice as likely than men to develop depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Current methods for treating stress-induced psychiatric disorders involve the use of medications or therapy after the onset of the disease to mitigate symptoms. Enhancing resilience can prevent these disorders from developing.
The Technology: Prophylactic method to prevent stress-induced psychiatric disorders
This technology utilizes a vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 2 (VPAC2) agonist to prevent or delay stress-induced maladaptive behavior. Administration of the VPAC2-specific agonist, Bay 55-9837, suppressed learned fear, behavioral despair, and food anxiety in female mice when administered one week prior to stress exposure. As such, this technology has the potential to enhance resilience and prevent stress-induced psychiatric disorders.
This technology has been validated in mice.
Applications:
- Prevention against stress-induced maladaptive behaviors
- Treatment for stress-induced affective disorders
- Research model for studying the role of VPAC2 on the development of affective disorders
Advantages:
- Suppresses learned fear in female mice
- Enhances stress resilience
- Administered in a single, low dose
Lead Inventor:
Patent Information:
Patent Pending (US20240238379)
Related Publications:
Tech Ventures Reference:
IR CU21050
Licensing Contact: Cynthia Lang