Available Technologies - Search Results
| Title: | DRD4 To Clarify Diagnosis ADHD |
|---|---|
| UC Case No: | 2001-291-2-ott |
| Categories: |
Biotechnology:
Diagnostics
|
| Background: | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent disorder of early childhood. It affects an estimated 3-6% of elementary school children. ADHD individuals may have abnormal release of dopamine resulting in a "dopamine deficit" that leads to cognitive as well as behavioral problems. |
| Technology: | University of California, Irvine researchers have done molecular genetic work on the Dopamine Receptor D4 (DRD4). Their work suggests that the DRD4 7R "risk allele" may produce a genocopy of the disorder (ADHD), which is a partial syndrome with behavioral excesses but not cognitive deficits. The true syndrome may be due to minimal brain damage (MBD) as a consequence of fetal distress that results in hypoxia and hypotension and may have selective effects on dopamine systems of the brain. |
| Application: | A molecular genetic test using the DRD4 would identify potential "false positive" diagnoses, individuals who have behavioral excesses but not cognitive deficits. A concurrent blood/urine/saliva test may be used to characterize dopamine release to identify individuals with the neurochemical deficit. |
| Contact: |
Megha Patel, Senior Licensing Officer Office of Technology Alliances University of California, Irvine 380 University Tower Irvine, CA 92697-7700 Phone: (949) 824-2920 FAX: (949) 824-2899 Email: mpatel1@uci.edu |
| Patent Status: | Pending |
| UCI School: | College of Medicine |
| Department: | Pediatrics |
