EP0331361A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Biologic test for susceptibility to alcoholism
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1989-02-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-02-24
Abstract
Abstract Alcoholism and alcoholism susceptibility in a patient are determined by measuring a cellular indicator which is characteristic of intracellular cAMP concentration. In particular, intracellular cAMP concentration may be measured in freshly isolated lymphocytes, where a reduction in the concentration compared to the expected normal value is diagnostic of alcoholism. Alternatively, stimulated intracellular cAMP concentration may be measured in cultured cells not exposed to ethanol where an increase in the concentration compared to the expected normal value is indicative of a predisposition toward alcoholism. Also, decreased cAMP levels may be measured in cultured cells from alcoholics exposed to chronic ethanol where no decrease in the concentration of cAMP occurs when normal cultured cells are exposed to chronic ethanol.
Inventors
- 👤 Ivan F. Diamond
- 👤 Adrienne S. Gordon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/50; G01N33/5005; G01N33/5091; G01N33/53; G01N33/5308; G01N33/98; G01N2800/00; G01N2800/30; G01N2800/307
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for determining alcoholism susceptibility in a patient, said method comprising: measuring stimulated cAMP concentration in cells from the patient in the absence of ethanol to obtain a measured value, wherein the cells have been cultured in the substantial absence of ethanol for a period sufficient to allow at least three cell divisions prior to such measurement; and comparing the measured value with a predetermined normal concentration value, whereby a measured value which is greater than the normal value is diagnostic of alcoholism susceptibility.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for determining alcoholism susceptibility in a patient, said method comprising: measuring stimulated cAMP concentration in cells from the patient in the absence of ethanol to obtain a measured value, wherein the cells have been cultured in the substantial absence of ethanol for a period sufficient to allow at least three cell divisions prior to such measurement; and comparing the measured value with a predetermined normal concentration value, whereby a measured value which is greater than the normal value is diagnostic of alcoholism susceptibility.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for determining alcoholism susceptibility in a patient, said method comprising: isolating cells from the patient; culturing the cells in the substantial absence of ethanol for a period sufficient to allow at least three cell divisions; stimulating cAMP concentration in the cultured cells; measuring the level of the stimulated cAMP concentration; and comparing the measured value with a predetermined normal concentration value, a measured value which is less than the normal value being diagnostic of alcoholism susceptibility.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for determining alcoholism susceptibility in a patient, said method comprising: isolating cells from the patient; culturing the cells in the substantial absence of ethanol for a period sufficient to allow at least three cell divisions; stimulating cAMP concentration in the cultured cells; measuring the level of the stimulated cAMP concentration; and comparing the measured value with a predetermined normal concentration value, a measured value which is less than the normal value being diagnostic of alcoholism susceptibility.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the cAMP concentration is measured in lymphocytes.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
27 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cells have been cultured in a serum-free media in the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
20 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cells are stimulated by an adenosine receptor agonist.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the cells are stimulated by a combination of an adenosine receptor agonist and ethanol.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
25 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the measured value is greater than the normal value by at least about 50%.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the measured value is less than the normal value by at least about 25%.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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