Defective calcium signaling as a tool in autism spectrum disorders
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsJohn Jay Gargus, Galina Schmunk, Ian Parker, Ian Smith
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Abstract
Methods of detecting the level of inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) free calcium (Ca2+) signaling activity in the cultured cells induced by an agonist of IP3R Ca2+ signaling are described herein. The detection of IP3R Ca2+ signaling allows for diagnosing the risk of a patient or subject for developing an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Additionally, methods described herein could be used for identifying potential therapeutic anti-ASD agents. The methods for treatment and monitoring of the disease are also outlined.
Claims23
A method of treating Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a patient, comprising:
- (a) obtaining a biological sample from the patient;
- (b) culturing the cells from (a);
- (c) adding an agonist of IP3R Ca2+ signaling to the cultured cells from (b);
- and
- (d) measuring the level of inositol triphosphate receptor (IP3R) calcium (Ca2+) signaling activity in the cultured cells from (b) induced by the agonist of IP3R Ca2+ signaling using a Ca2+ fluorescent probe and measuring the amount of fluorescence emitted by the probe;
- and
- (e) administering a therapeutic anti-ASD agent.
A method of monitoring treatment of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a patient, comprising:
- (a) administering a therapeutic anti-ASD agent to the patient;
- (b) obtaining a biological sample from the patient;
- (c) culturing the cells from (b);
- (d) adding an agonist of IP3R Ca2+ signaling to the cultured cells from (b);
- and
- (e) measuring the level of inositol triphosphate receptor (IP3R) calcium (Ca2+) signaling activity in the cultured cells from (b) induced by the agonist of IP3R Ca2+ signaling using a Ca2+ fluorescent probe and measuring the amount of fluorescence emitted by the probe;
- and
- (f) determining whether the measured level of signaling activity from (e) has increased relative to the measured level of the patient's cells, as measured at a time prior to administration of the therapeutic anti-ASD agent of step (a).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.