Potential narcolepsy treatment found (for mice models at least)

[me/cfs 27931]

Interesting that this substance crosses the blood-brain barrier.

A Substance That Stops Narcoleptic Mice From Falling Asleep
AsianScientist (May 17, 2017)
https://www.asianscientist.com/2017/05/in-the-lab/sleep-wake-compound-narcolepsy/

Scientists are working on a drug based on a compound named YNT-185 that would keep narcolepsy and other sleep disorders at bay.

The disease is caused by a selective loss of neurons producing the neuropeptide orexin, which plays a central role in maintaining wakefulness. Orexin itself is able to ameliorate narcoleptic symptoms in model animals when directly injected in the brain, but it is blocked at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) when peripherally administered and cannot bind to its brain receptors.

In the current study, a research group led by Yoko Irukayama-Tomobe, Yasuhiro Ogawa, Hiromu Tominaga and Masashi Yanagisawa, further examined the pharmacological effect of YNT-185, and verified that peripherally administered YNT-185 penetrates BBB and significantly induces wakefulness, as well as ameliorates narcoleptic symptoms in mouse models.

No desensitization was observed after repeated administrations. They also found that daily administrations of YNT-185 prevented increase in the body weight; indeed, narcoleptic patients (and mice) tend to be obese. Their findings provide a proof-of-concept for the treatment of narcolepsy. Furthermore, the administration of YNT-185 also promotes wakefulness in normal mice without any immediate sleep rebounds.

“This compound might also be useful in the treatment of the excessive sleepiness caused by other causes, such as depression, side effects of drugs, jet lag and shift work,” said Yanagisawa. “Additionally, it might be effective in preventing the metabolic syndrome.”​

The researchers are now trying to refine YNT-185 to further improve potency and bioavailability.

 

[Never Give Up]

Another interesting one with potential to help PWME.

One point of contention, I've worked with hundreds of narcoleptics, not one was obese. Most of them were kind of wiry, even the 1/3 who were just being diagnosed and had not been taking amphetamines for years.