Methods for screening GABA-modulatory compounds for specified pharmacological activities

US7060451B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Neurogen Corporation · US

Inventors

• John Tallman · Washington, US
• Dorothy Gallager · Columbus, US
• Kenneth Shaw · Weston, US
• Geoffrey White · Guilford, US
• Marci Crandall · Middletown, US
• James Cassella · Essex, US
• Lavanya Rajachandran · Wallingford, US
• Pamela Albaugh · Carmel, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 9, 2001
• Grant date: Jun 13, 2006
• Expiry date: Jun 6, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2500/00
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods are provided that are useful in assaying compounds for cognitive enhancing properties, anxiolytic properties, hypnotic properties, or antidepressant properties. These methods involve determining the in vitro efficacy and EC50 of the compounds at defined series of cloned GABAA subtype receptors composed of specific variants of α, β, and γ subunits in order to develop and an activity profile for each compound. Optionally, the binding affinities of the compounds at GABAA receptors are also determined. As an additional step the in vivo effects of the compounds may be tested in animal models.