HYPOCRETIN (HCRT-1) ADMINISTRATION TO TREAT SLEEP DISORDERS, SUCH AS NARCOLEPSY, AND OBESITY
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UCLA Technology Available For Licensing |
UCLA researchers, in collaboration with Wake Forest University, have identified that systemic or nasal administration of hypocretin-1 can be an effective treatment for sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy, and obesity. Animal studies with dogs and rhesus monkeys have successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of hypocretin administration in improving narcoleptic symptoms and cognitive deficits.
BACKGROUND:
Sleep disorders affect over 40 million Americans each year, many which are undiagnosed and never treated. One such sleep disorder is narcolepsy, which affects about 1 in 2,000 people. Patients experience cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone), excessive and uncontrollable daytime sleepiness, and fragmented sleep throughout the night. Evidence also shows that people who suffer from sleep disorders are at a higher risk of obesity than compared to the general population. Research on humans suggests that narcolepsy results from reduced levels of Hypocretin-1 (Hcrt-1), other known as orexin-A, in cerebrospinal fluids. In narcoleptic animals such as dogs and mice, there is a mutation in the gene responsible for the Hcrt receptor or peptides respectively. Due to the serious emotional and social repercussions of this disorder, there is a need for an effective treatment to help those who suffer from sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy.
INNOVATION:
UCLA investigators have identified that systemic or nasal administration of Hcrt-1 can be an effective treatment for sleep disorders and obesity. Using genetically narcoleptic Doberman pinschers, UCLA researchers administered doses of Hcrt-1 that significantly improved cataplexy, waking duration and sleep continuity. In a UCLA/Wake Forest collaboration, Hcrt-1 was also administered to sleep-deprived rhesus monkeys through both intravenous injections and a novel method for nasal delivery. Findings provided strong evidence that Hcrt-1 alleviated cognitive deficits produced by the loss of sleep in nonhuman primates.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
- Systemic or nasal administration of hypocretin-1 may be an effective treatment in humans for sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy, as well as obesity
ADVANTAGES
- Improves cataplexy, waking duration and sleep continuity
- Hcrt-1 can treat obesity problems in individuals who have sleep disorders
DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE: Animal studies have been successfully conducted using narcoleptic Doberman pinschers and sleep-deprived rhesus monkeys.
Related Papers (Selected)
- Deadwyler SA., Porrino L, Siegel JM, and Hampson RE. Systemic and Nasal Delivery of Orexin-A (Hypocretin-1) Reduces the Effects of Sleep Deprivation on cognitive Performance in Nonhuman Primates. J Neurosci 2007 Dec 26; 27(52): 14239-47 [more]
- DJohn J, WU MF, and Siegel JM. Systemic Administration of Hypocretin-1 Reduces Cataplexy and Normalizes Sleep and Waking Durations in Narcoleptic Dogs. Sleep Research Online 3(1): 23-28, 2000. [more]
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Reference: UCLA Case Nos. 2008-210, 2003-112, 2000-282
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US Patent: 7,112,566
US Patent: 7,335,640
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For additional technical details and current licensing
availability,
please contact the following UCLA office:
UCLA Office of Intellectual Property
11000 Kinross Avenue, Suite #200
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Tel: 310-794-0558 Fax: 310-794-0638
email: ncd@research.ucla.edu
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NCD URL: http://www.research.ucla.edu/tech/ucla08-210.htm
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UCLA Technologies Available for
Licensing
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Copyright © 2008 The Regents of the
University of California.
keywords: : therapeutic, hypocretin, orexin, narcolepsy, cataplexy, obesity, sleep-deprivation
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