Neuronal calcium sensor proteins as potential therapeutic targets in circadian rhythm and sleep disorders

Sleep health and sleep disorders are major problems. In the US, an estimated 1/3rd of adults and 2/3rds of highschool aged young adults do not get the recommended amount of sleep. Lack of sleep and poor sleep hygiene is associated with a number of health problems. These include obesity, depression, and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, specific sleep disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia have tremendous adverse impacts on human health and well-being.

Researchers at Rowan have identified two proteins that they think are important for sleep. These proteins, NCALD and S100B, are neuronal calcium sensing proteins. These proteins have been shown to be important to sleep and activity patterns and the circadian rhythm, which itself helps regulate sleep, in multiple preclinical model systems. The inventors are investigating their direct relevance to sleep patterns using preclinical models and clinical samples. Targeting their proteins with drugs may prove to be a valid method of sleep aid and treating different specific sleep disorders.

Competitive Advantages

• Drugs targeting these proteins have the potential for first-in- class status
• Some sleep aids have adverse side effects and can be addictive, and can be of variable efficacy in individual patients

Opportunity

• Over 83 million US adults are thought to not be getting enough sleep.
• The market for insomnia treatments was valued at $2.18 billion in 2016.

Rowan University is seeking a partner(s) for further development and commercialization of this technology. The inventor is available to collaborate with interested companies.