INVENTIONS FOR LICENSE

MCL 2645.0: Improved Methods for the Treatment of Attentional Disorders

Martin Teicher, M.D., Ph.D., et al.

Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder

Background and Description

Attentional disorders are behavioral conditions characterized by developmentally inappropriate degrees of inattention, overactivity, and impulsivity. These disorders begin in early childhood and can continue into adulthood. Noradrenergic activation is known to profoundly affect the performance of attention, especially the maintenance of arousal, a cognitive function known to be deficient in these disorders. Current pharmacological treatments are directed primarily at affecting brain dopamine and/or norepinephrine systems, but these are limited in usefulness by undesirable side effects, delayed onset of action, and/or potential for abuse. The invention comprises an improved pharmacological therapy based on inhibition of a novel target -- a receptor system found in the brain that has not previously been targeted for therapy of ADHD. This intervention can be followed by, or used in combination with, a second agent affecting any of the norephnepherine, dopaminergic, serotonergic, or cholinergic systems.

Potential Commercial Uses

The invention comprises a novel strategy for treatment of ADHD and related disorders, based on the administration of inhibitors of a novel target. It is a potentially improved pharmacological therapy for a prevalent childhood disorder that has a rapid onset of efficacy, has no significant adverse side effects (esp. no cardiovascular side effects), and is expected to have no abuse liability.

Publication and Patent Status

McLean Hospital has filed a U.S. patent application claiming this invention.

Licenses Available

McLean Hospital is offering a worldwide exclusive license to this technology.

For more information, please contact:

Anne Ritter, Licensing Manager
Partners Research Ventures and Licensing
amritter@partners.org
(617) 954-9529