Method of treating psychosis and/or hyperactivity
AssigneeThe Rockfeller University
InventorsAkinori Nishi, Gretchen L. Snyder, Allen A. Fienberg, Paul Greengard
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Abstract
The present invention discloses the bidirectional regulation of DARPP-32 phosphorylation by dopamine and dopamine D1 and D2 receptors. This disclosure leads to new methodology in the treatment of schizophrenia and related disorders. In addition, the present invention provides methods for identifying agents that can be used in such treatment.
Claims5
A method of treating a schizophrenic patient comprising administering to the patient an agent that inhibits the dephosphorylation of thr.sup.34 -phosphorylated DARPP-32 wherein the agent inhibits calcineurin by binding to calcineurin;
- and wherein the agent can readily pass through the blood brain barrier.
A method of identifying an agent for use in the treatment of a schizophrenic patient comprising:
- (a) contacting a potential agent with calcineurin and thr.sup.34 -phosphorylated DARPP-32;
- and
- (b) detecting the amount of dephosphorylation of thr.sup.34 -phosphorylated DARPP-32;
- wherein the agent is identified if a decrease in the dephosphorylation of thr.sup.34 -phosphorylated DARPP-32 is detected in the presence of the potential agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.