This document describes a new nonradioactive method being developed for detecting hypocretin-1 levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using micro liter volumes. Hypocretin-1 is associated with conditions like narcolepsy but current detection methods require large CSF volumes and use radioactive isotopes. The new method aims to provide high sensitivity and specificity for hypocretin-1 detection using only 1/20th the CSF volume of current methods, without radioactivity. Preliminary studies are promising. The researchers are seeking licensing partners for potential applications in diagnosing neuroimmunological disorders.

1. A NOVEL NONRADIOACTIVE METHOD FOR
HYPOCRETIN DETERMINATION
Keywords: cerebrospinal fluid, narcolepsy, hypocretin-1, kataplexi
Background
The neuropeptides hypocretin-1 and hypocretin-2 are produced in the dorsolateral part of the
hypothalamus. Lack of hypocretin is associated with hypersomnia (excessive daytime
sleepiness) often described as narcolepsy. In addition, narcolepsy is often associated with
kataplexi .
Detection of hypocretin is an important diagnostic tool for studies on narcolepsy and due to
the unstability of hypercretin-2, only the level of hyporcretin-1 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is
monitored. The metods applied today for hypocretin-1 determination is based on the use of
radiocactive isotopes (RIA) where large volumes of CSF is required. In order to ensure more
extensive studies on hypocretin associated illnesses, a new method for its determination is
required which uses less CSF volumes.
Description
Hypocretin-1 is found in the CSF in very low concentrations. A new assay for this
neuropeptide therefore has to be very sensitive with high specificity and, due to the low
volumes of CSF available, must be based on micro liter volumes of CSF. Use of radioactive
isotopes should also be avoided.
The research group at the University Hospital in Stavanger, Norway, is now developing such a
method for hypocretin-1 determination to be used as a key method in their research on
neuroimmunological illnesses including MS and chronic fatigue.
Applications and benefits
- Detection system for hypocretin-1 without the use of radioactive isotopes (RIA)
- A method that only requires CSF volumes down to 1/20 of the RIA method
- A method that is very sensitive
- A method that can be further developed into a detection kit which does not depend on
expensive equipment for molecular analysis
Status
- Preliminary studies with this new method are showing promising results
- Studies on CSF from patients with varying neuroimmunological disorders
IPR
Patent pending
We are seeking licensing partners.