Methods and Materials for Treating Digestive Motility Disorders

Reference #:

2004-068

Inventors/Contributors

Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., Joseph H. Szurszewski, Ph.D., Simon J. Gibbons, Ph.D., Steven M. Miller, Ph.D., Yijun Ou, M.D., Marne Distad

Description

Methods and materials have been disclosed to increase the number of ICC (interstitial cells of Cajal) within a mammal such that a symptom of a digestive tract condition is reduced. ICC are specialized pacemaker cells of the digestive tract that are involved in normal intestinal motility. The number of ICC can be increased by contacting ICC with 5HT or 5HT receptor agonists (e. g., a 5HT2B receptor agonist). Any digestive tract condition can be treated using 5HT or 5HT receptor agonists to increase the number of ICC within a mammal including, without limitation, irritable bowel syndrome, hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, intestinal pseudoobstruction, gastroparesis, constipation, Hirschsprung's disease, and functional dyspepsia.

Patent Status

Pending