A Therapy to Treat Post-Natal Hippocampal Dysfunction in Kabuki Syndrome

Tech ID: 20-003

Inventors: Kasturi Haldar, Suhail Alam, Arpitha Mysore Rajashekara

Date Added: August 14, 2020

Overview

A treatment that stimulates hippocampal functions of memory, cognition, tactile allodynia, and intellectual disability.

Technology Summary

Kabuki syndrome (KS) is a rare, multisystem disorder commonly characterized by cardiac defects, immunological conditions, varying degrees of intellectual disability, and mild to severe developmental delays. KS is also associated with defects in post-natal neurogenesis and reduced granule cells in the hippocampus, resulting in a loss of hippocampal function which is necessary for cognition, memory, learning, and mechanical sensory systems. There is no specific treatment for Kabuki syndrome, or any known treatments that stimulate post-natal hippocampal functions. However, treating defects of hippocampal neurogenesis and granule cell neurons could lead to improved memory, cognition, and overall improvement in intellectual ability.

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have used mouse models of Kabuki syndrome and  discovered a promising treatment for KS wherein post-natal neurogenesis was stimulated in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus and increased production of granule cell neurons. This novel treatment improved hippocampal functions of cognition, learning, and memory in mice with impaired hippocampi.

Market Advantages

Improved hippocampal function, including:

• Cognition
• Learning
• Memory

Applications

Treatment of hippocampal dysfunctions in Kabuki syndrome

Technology Readiness Level

TRL 2 – Technology Concept Formulated

Intellectual Property Status

Patent Pending

Contact

Richard Cox

rcox4@nd.edu

574.631.5158